Sage Advice on Writing the Perfect Resume

One of the most important documents you’ll ever craft is your resume, and it’s something you’ll likely write dozens of times over the course of your life. Learning how to write an eye-catching, crystal clear resume from the get-go will help you land your dream jobs and colleges time after time. Mastering the right tone and kinds of content out of the gate will allow you to create a template you can draw from each time a new job needs to be added to the list. The key components of a resume are basic, and yet the construction of the document itself is a highly complicated process - so much is on the line, as this is one of your only competitive edges to landing the next phase of your career. If you don’t look good on paper, you’ll never be able to showcase just how talented you really are. A resume is your way to get your foot in the door, so make sure it’s polished, memorable, and real.

It’s a typical trap that many fall prey to, but don’t be one of them - tell the truth in your resume. A future employer knows that you’re presenting your strongest achievements in the overview, but they also expect everything to be honest. Do not ever take credit for someone else’s work - in this day and age, its easy to validate whether or not the positions and accomplishments you list are real, and most employers will proceed with a background check for verification if you indeed make it past the interview process. Lying on your resume is a great way to waste your time and theirs, and create an embarrassing and perhaps damaging scenario. Set yourself up for success by highlighting your strengths, not making them up. That said, here’s a few more sure fire tips to crafting an awesome resume:

1) State a Clear Objective
Right at the top, below your contact information, you should clearly express what you’re looking to achieve. If you want to be a high-powered attorney and a partner someday, it’s fine to mention it, but if you know you’re really only qualified for an entry-level position at this point, be realistic. A dash of ambition and realism in a resume is crucial. So is knowing what you want. Employers aren’t impressed by someone who wants to be all things to all people - they want to know who you are, what you want, and if you’d be a good fit for their organization. Not expressing elements of your goals and objectives will often land your resume in the trash. On the other hand, a well-articulate and realistic objective could be just the hook to get you in the door for an interview.

2) List Details of Your Relevant Work and Education Experience
Make sure to individually highlight your education level and staff positions, along with any freelance work you’ve done. If you’ve got a lot to list, choose those jobs that are most relevant to the position you’re after. Highlight the skills you know you possess that also pertain to the open job reek - you're assisting the employer with making the decision outright, and that can bode very well for you if indeed you possess the skills they’re looking for.

3) Highlight All Your Outstanding Talents
If you have won multiple tennis championships but you’re applying for a law clerk position, feature these achievements. Any show of ambition and success is an impressive display for an employer - they want you to be well-rounded, diverse, and a go-getter. So beyond the usual list of office-related traits, make sure to express your other interests and talents as well. This may just be the ticket to catching and keeping their attention.

Take the time to write an articulate, honest, and eye-catching resume, and you’ll have a template you can use for the rest of your working career. Make sure to update your resume as soon as you have more details to add -this should be an organic document that grows as you do. By all means, sing your praises, but don’t embellish to the point of fabrication. Do, however, be proud of who you are, and express that in no uncertain terms. This is your first impression on a future employer - make it one they’ll never forget.

Advertisement

Get More Information