WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO
WRITE A RESUME ?
Leonardo Da Vinci is thought to have written the first resume in 1482 to gain
patronage from the Duke of Milan . Between 1930 and 1960 , resumes became
an expectation and started to include personal information like age, weight and
religion. Resumes have evolved significantly over the years. While traditional
paper resumes were once the norm, digital formats now dominate. This shift
has led to more interactive and visually appealing resumes.
With the current labor shortage and low unemployment rate , job seekers are at
an advantage. However, that’s not to say you don’t need a professionally
written resume . Employers still want to find and hire the best employees for
each open position , and resumes are the first step in that search. You have to
use strategies to make your resume stand out and demonstrate that you are the
best candidate for the job.
Your resume is arguably the most valuable piece of paper for your career . But
this document can be daunting for many. Maybe you’re not sure how to fit in all
your information into one page. Maybe you’re not sure about the right way to
format and write your resume. Maybe you don’t even know what a resume is!
WHAT IS A RESUME?
A resume is a summary of your career, whether yours is just getting started or
has been going on for years. It’s a document commonly used in the hiring
process. It includes information about your background and qualifications and
should communicate the most important , relevant information about you to
employers is to quickly communicate why you are uniquely qualified for the
position based on your skills and experiences. The main goal to keep in mind is
to make your resume relevant and readable . Coming in at around one page in
length (two only under specific circumstances), it showcases the jobs you’ve
held and currently hold, the responsibilities you’ve taken on, the skills you’ve
developed, and the qualities you bring to the table as an employee. Together,
those things make it super easy for any hiring manager to see your
qualifications and fit for a role.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO WRITE A RESUME ? 1
, For all the work you may put into writing one, hiring managers actually spend
very little time—mere seconds in many cases—looking at your resume. But
despite this sad fact, it’s safe to say that creating a great resume (rather than
hastily throwing one together) still matters.
“If you miss the mark, your resume may never be read. Even worse, you might
be removed from the applicant pool by a computer before a human even knows
you exist,” says Muse career coach Heather Yurovsky, founder of Shatter &
Shine. So you want to get it right because, as she explains, isn’t the goal to
“spend less time looking for a job and more time in a role
you love?”
You might be wondering if you can lean on your LinkedIn profile instead of
writing a resume. The answer, sadly, is no. Most hiring managers still expect
you to submit a resume, even if they also look at your LinkedIn. Even if you
don’t need a resume for a job you’re applying for now, you’re going to need one
at some point in your career—they’re not anywhere close to going out of style.
So it’s best to always have one at the ready should an opportunity pop up.
And although LinkedIn has plenty of benefits, a resume has one clear
advantage: While your LinkedIn is usually a broader picture of your career
trajectory, your resume gives you the opportunity to tailor your career story to a
specific role or company (more on that later).
Oh, and you’ve probably heard of something called a CV? It’s slightly different
from a resume, and usually more common with academics and job seekers
outside the U.S.
Fun fact about resume is ‘ Recruiters spend an average of 5 to 7 seconds
looking at a resume when the candidates applying spend a really long time on
writing it ‘. 76% of resumes are thrown out because of an unprofessional email
address. 88% of resumes are also rejected if they include a photo. Only 2-3%
of resumes lead to an interview, and 35% of applicants are actually qualified for
the jobs they apply for.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO WRITE A RESUME ? 2
, What Are Employers Looking for in a
Resume?
Hiring managers look for three things on your resume, “What did you do? Why
did you do it? And what was the result?” says Muse career coach Martin
McGovern, owner of Career Therapy. “If you can answer all three of these
questions in...your resume bullet points, you’re going to be on the right track.”
Clear, easy-to-understand language is key. “The truth is that most
resumes make no sense. They are stuffed with jargon, they are too technical,
and they are filled with redundancies. Try to read a resume that isn’t yours and
you will quickly realize that it feels like an alien wrote it,” McGovern adds. Put
yourself in the shoes of a recruiter who has no idea how your role works—how
can you make your resume accessible to them?
The hiring manager also cares about more than just you and you alone—they
care about you in relation to them. “Hiring managers want to see if a candidate
matches the requirements” of the role they’re hiring for, Yurovsky explains.
“Your resume should paint this picture so the hiring manager not only knows
what day-to-day responsibilities you can handle,
but why you, above other[s], bring value to their organization.”
How Do You Write a Resume?
Whether you’re someone who’s never written a resume in your life, or you
need a nice, thorough refresher on the process of creating one, follow these
steps to go from a blank page to a complete—and dare I say beautiful—
document.
1. Gather your professional information
Preparation is key to writing a resume that stands out. We’ll cover what
essential information you should gather before writing your resume to save time
and put your best foot forward.
To ensure a well-prepared resume, carefully examine your relevant
qualifications and match them with the requirements of your desired job.
Take the time to organize a comprehensive list that includes:
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO WRITE A RESUME ? 3
, Impressive measurable accomplishments from your previous positions
that highlight your achievements and contributions.
A complete inventory of your soft skills, hard skills and technical skills that
match the skills outlined in the job description.
Detailed information about your previous employers, including their names,
dates of employment, locations, job titles and a clear outline of your
responsibilities.
Educational credentials, such as your college degree, certifications or
licenses that demonstrate your expertise in specific areas.
Any volunteer work where you gained skills and experience relevant to the
role you are applying for.
Notable awards and honors you have received, which further validate your
exceptional abilities and dedication.
Review these qualifications against the job description and note where there is
a match. Writing a customized resume is a great way to impress employers
and secure interviews.Make me (the hiring manager ) believe your are
interested in our job, not just any job. Specifically, try to use the language of
the job posting in your resume. This will also make sure your application
makes it past any automated screening software designed to toss out
irrelevant applicants. – CJ Johnson, veteran people manager for Silicon
Valley startups and unicorns
By planning to include these matching qualifications in your resume, you set
yourself up for success.
A compelling, tailored document that effectively highlights your qualifications
increases your chances of securing your desired job.
2. Pick Your Format
Before you start typing one single thing, you have to decide what you want the
overall resume to look like.
Resume builders can be helpful for this step—they’ll take all your basic
information and organize it for you, eliminating some of the legwork. You can
also use a pre-made outline, such as one of these free Google Docs templates.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO WRITE A RESUME ? 4
WRITE A RESUME ?
Leonardo Da Vinci is thought to have written the first resume in 1482 to gain
patronage from the Duke of Milan . Between 1930 and 1960 , resumes became
an expectation and started to include personal information like age, weight and
religion. Resumes have evolved significantly over the years. While traditional
paper resumes were once the norm, digital formats now dominate. This shift
has led to more interactive and visually appealing resumes.
With the current labor shortage and low unemployment rate , job seekers are at
an advantage. However, that’s not to say you don’t need a professionally
written resume . Employers still want to find and hire the best employees for
each open position , and resumes are the first step in that search. You have to
use strategies to make your resume stand out and demonstrate that you are the
best candidate for the job.
Your resume is arguably the most valuable piece of paper for your career . But
this document can be daunting for many. Maybe you’re not sure how to fit in all
your information into one page. Maybe you’re not sure about the right way to
format and write your resume. Maybe you don’t even know what a resume is!
WHAT IS A RESUME?
A resume is a summary of your career, whether yours is just getting started or
has been going on for years. It’s a document commonly used in the hiring
process. It includes information about your background and qualifications and
should communicate the most important , relevant information about you to
employers is to quickly communicate why you are uniquely qualified for the
position based on your skills and experiences. The main goal to keep in mind is
to make your resume relevant and readable . Coming in at around one page in
length (two only under specific circumstances), it showcases the jobs you’ve
held and currently hold, the responsibilities you’ve taken on, the skills you’ve
developed, and the qualities you bring to the table as an employee. Together,
those things make it super easy for any hiring manager to see your
qualifications and fit for a role.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO WRITE A RESUME ? 1
, For all the work you may put into writing one, hiring managers actually spend
very little time—mere seconds in many cases—looking at your resume. But
despite this sad fact, it’s safe to say that creating a great resume (rather than
hastily throwing one together) still matters.
“If you miss the mark, your resume may never be read. Even worse, you might
be removed from the applicant pool by a computer before a human even knows
you exist,” says Muse career coach Heather Yurovsky, founder of Shatter &
Shine. So you want to get it right because, as she explains, isn’t the goal to
“spend less time looking for a job and more time in a role
you love?”
You might be wondering if you can lean on your LinkedIn profile instead of
writing a resume. The answer, sadly, is no. Most hiring managers still expect
you to submit a resume, even if they also look at your LinkedIn. Even if you
don’t need a resume for a job you’re applying for now, you’re going to need one
at some point in your career—they’re not anywhere close to going out of style.
So it’s best to always have one at the ready should an opportunity pop up.
And although LinkedIn has plenty of benefits, a resume has one clear
advantage: While your LinkedIn is usually a broader picture of your career
trajectory, your resume gives you the opportunity to tailor your career story to a
specific role or company (more on that later).
Oh, and you’ve probably heard of something called a CV? It’s slightly different
from a resume, and usually more common with academics and job seekers
outside the U.S.
Fun fact about resume is ‘ Recruiters spend an average of 5 to 7 seconds
looking at a resume when the candidates applying spend a really long time on
writing it ‘. 76% of resumes are thrown out because of an unprofessional email
address. 88% of resumes are also rejected if they include a photo. Only 2-3%
of resumes lead to an interview, and 35% of applicants are actually qualified for
the jobs they apply for.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO WRITE A RESUME ? 2
, What Are Employers Looking for in a
Resume?
Hiring managers look for three things on your resume, “What did you do? Why
did you do it? And what was the result?” says Muse career coach Martin
McGovern, owner of Career Therapy. “If you can answer all three of these
questions in...your resume bullet points, you’re going to be on the right track.”
Clear, easy-to-understand language is key. “The truth is that most
resumes make no sense. They are stuffed with jargon, they are too technical,
and they are filled with redundancies. Try to read a resume that isn’t yours and
you will quickly realize that it feels like an alien wrote it,” McGovern adds. Put
yourself in the shoes of a recruiter who has no idea how your role works—how
can you make your resume accessible to them?
The hiring manager also cares about more than just you and you alone—they
care about you in relation to them. “Hiring managers want to see if a candidate
matches the requirements” of the role they’re hiring for, Yurovsky explains.
“Your resume should paint this picture so the hiring manager not only knows
what day-to-day responsibilities you can handle,
but why you, above other[s], bring value to their organization.”
How Do You Write a Resume?
Whether you’re someone who’s never written a resume in your life, or you
need a nice, thorough refresher on the process of creating one, follow these
steps to go from a blank page to a complete—and dare I say beautiful—
document.
1. Gather your professional information
Preparation is key to writing a resume that stands out. We’ll cover what
essential information you should gather before writing your resume to save time
and put your best foot forward.
To ensure a well-prepared resume, carefully examine your relevant
qualifications and match them with the requirements of your desired job.
Take the time to organize a comprehensive list that includes:
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO WRITE A RESUME ? 3
, Impressive measurable accomplishments from your previous positions
that highlight your achievements and contributions.
A complete inventory of your soft skills, hard skills and technical skills that
match the skills outlined in the job description.
Detailed information about your previous employers, including their names,
dates of employment, locations, job titles and a clear outline of your
responsibilities.
Educational credentials, such as your college degree, certifications or
licenses that demonstrate your expertise in specific areas.
Any volunteer work where you gained skills and experience relevant to the
role you are applying for.
Notable awards and honors you have received, which further validate your
exceptional abilities and dedication.
Review these qualifications against the job description and note where there is
a match. Writing a customized resume is a great way to impress employers
and secure interviews.Make me (the hiring manager ) believe your are
interested in our job, not just any job. Specifically, try to use the language of
the job posting in your resume. This will also make sure your application
makes it past any automated screening software designed to toss out
irrelevant applicants. – CJ Johnson, veteran people manager for Silicon
Valley startups and unicorns
By planning to include these matching qualifications in your resume, you set
yourself up for success.
A compelling, tailored document that effectively highlights your qualifications
increases your chances of securing your desired job.
2. Pick Your Format
Before you start typing one single thing, you have to decide what you want the
overall resume to look like.
Resume builders can be helpful for this step—they’ll take all your basic
information and organize it for you, eliminating some of the legwork. You can
also use a pre-made outline, such as one of these free Google Docs templates.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO WRITE A RESUME ? 4
