Applying for your dream job is not enough you need to write an excellent resume to accompany it. The resume records your professional achievements, work experience, certification, skills, education and other relevant details to make your case for the particular job. In most cases, this is your first contact with the company as a candidate for employment. In the highly competitive marketplace of job seekers, a well put-together resume gives you an edge.

Here is a guide to getting your resume right from the first to the last.

 

Choosing the format

 

The first part is the choice of resume format from the following options.

• Reverse-chronological: this is the traditional style of resume but not much creativity involved in this style.
• Functional format: this gives emphasis upon your skills so for entry-level candidates. This style compensates for their lack of experience, but the HR managers might think that you have something to hide.
• Combination style: both the career changers and the professionals use this to highlight transferrable skills. This format is uncommon type and not for entry-level candidate.

Various studies theorize the relation between the cues in the resume that reflect your hire-ability and personality so be careful regarding the information you include. This affects the hiring judgments.

 

Addition of personal details and contact information

 

In the contact information part, you include certain things, and leave out certain personal details and data. The most important thing is the first and the last name, personal mobile number, and email address as you find in the resume templates. Formal email ID makes you more hire-able compared to informal one. It is a good idea to include the URL of LinkedIn profile so that the prospective employers understand your professional capabilities.

Optional information to include is your mailing address that might seem old school but rejection letters and offers often reach your address box. A branding statement such as licensed status and catchphrase is desirable too. Include social media details only when it relates to your job and if you made some great contributions to specific platform. Add URL of your blog, portfolio, or website to personal information section.

Now, here are some things to avoid mentioning in your resume. This includes your date of birth as this might result in ageism. Add this only when the employer specifically wants such information. Do not add second phone number of email as this only creates confusion. In general, there is no need to add any profile photos and resume images.

 

Heading statement as a starting point

 

Employers go through the resume with attention deficit, skimming through them and spending just six seconds on an average. This makes the heading statement a critical part of resume success. Make it witty so that it creates an attractive image of you as a candidate for the job. The objective statement and the summary statements are important as it remains on top portion of the page.

• Summary statement of your resume: choose this when you have adequate relevant information to summarize the position related experience, achievements, qualifications and skills.

• Objective statement of the resume: students and entry-level candidates choose this statement. This is good for career changers as well without any qualification related to the current job position.

 

Listing of achievements and work experience

 

Think about your accomplishments and this does not mean solid percentages and sales numbers but instead your involvement in some great success. You have to show what you did beyond daily duties so that the employers call you. They want to hire people that exhibit ambition, motivation, and participation.

Online Resume Builder helps you to get it right and make the best first impressions.