You want a new job, or maybe even a career change- but what are you missing on your resume? When applying for something new, most people forget some key elements in their application.
Here are three key elements that are probably missing in your professional resume. Avoiding simple mistakes will help you land the job of your dreams!
Only include essential information.
Your resume is a concise overview of your skills and experience. Everything you list should be relevant to the job you’re applying for. Trying to cram in everything you’ve ever done will make your resume look cluttered and overwhelming.
Stick to the essentials! If you focus on highlighting the necessities, you’ll prove more quickly that you’re the best candidate for the job.
Tailor every resume to the job you want.
When you’re applying for a job, it’s important to tailor your resume to fit the specific position. This means specifying why your skills and experience make you the perfect candidate for that particular job.
Generic resumes that don’t address the job’s specific requirements are much less likely to get noticed by hiring managers. Your resume should focus on your professional achievements and accomplishments. Be sure to include any relevant skills or experience that you have.
Your resume is not a history lesson.
Your resume should be focused on your present and future, not your past. Hiring managers don’t need to know every single detail about your work history. Instead, they want to see what you’re currently doing and what you’re planning to do next. This is what will help them determine if you’re a good fit for the job. Avoid including any personal information, such as your age, marital status, or religious beliefs.
By focusing on the essentials and tailoring your resume to each job, you’ll be sure to catch the attention of hiring managers. Being clear and concise will be a benefit to your hiring manager and to you as the job seeker.
While there is no one-size-fits-all resume format, there are some general guidelines you can follow.
Include these elements on any resume:
- First, start with your contact information. This includes your name, address, phone number, and email address.
- Next, include a brief summary of your qualifications (often referred to as a “career objective” or “personal statement”).
- List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. For each job, include the company name, job title, dates of employment, and a bullet point list of your responsibilities and accomplishments.
- If you have relevant internship or volunteer experience, you can include that here as well.
- In addition, list your education, starting with your most recent or highest degree. Include the name of the school, the type of degree you earned, and your graduation date.
- Finally, include any skills or additional information relevant to the position you’re applying for. This could include computer skills, language proficiency, or professional associations and certifications.
Remember to use strong action verbs and specific examples of your accomplishments when crafting your resume. This will help you make a positive impression on potential employers.
The more effort you put into a good resume, the better your job outlook will be. Make sure these elements are not missing on your resume!
For more career insight, consider our article Successfully Prepare For Any Interview With These Tips.
