RESUME WRITING

Resume Writing: Telling Your Story

I. Introduction

A resume is a personal marketing document that showcases your skills, experience, and achievements to potential employers.

The goal of a resume is to tell a story that demonstrates your value and relevance to the job you're applying for.

II. Assimilating Facts and Details

Identify Key Information: Gather relevant details about your education, work experience, skills, and achievements.

Categorize and Prioritize: Organize facts into sections (e.g., Education, Work Experience, Skills) and prioritize the most important information.

Quantify Achievements: Use numbers and statistics to demonstrate the impact of your work.

Example: Instead of "increased sales," say "increased sales by 25% within 6 months"

III. Building a Narrative

Define Your Brand: Clearly articulate your professional identity, values, and career goals.

Create a Storyline: Use your facts and details to craft a compelling story that showcases your skills, experience, and achievements.

Highlight Transferable Skills: Emphasize the skills and qualifications that are relevant to the job you're applying for.

Example: If you're applying for a project management role, highlight your experience with project management tools and software.

IV. Making it Pictorial

Use Action Verbs: Begin each bullet point or sentence with a strong action verb that creates a visual image.

Add Relevant Images: Incorporate relevant images, charts, or graphs to break up text and illustrate your points.

Utilize White Space: Balance text and images with white space to create a clean and visually appealing design.

V. Layout and Page Design

Choose a Clear Font: Select a standard font that is easy to read, such as Arial, Calibri or Helvetica.

Use Headings and Subheadings: Organize your content with clear headings and subheadings that guide the reader's eye.

Balance Text and Images: Ensure that your resume is visually balanced and easy to scan.

VI. Being a Credible Voice

Use Professional Language: Avoid jargon, slang, and overly technical terms that may confuse the reader.

Show Enthusiasm and Passion: Demonstrate your passion for the industry or field you're applying to.

Proofread and Edit: Carefully review your resume for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors to ensure credibility.

VII. Conclusion

A well-written resume tells a story that showcases your skills, experience, and achievements.

You can create a compelling narrative that demonstrates your value and relevance to potential employers.

VIII. Additional Tips

Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume for each job you apply to by highlighting the skills and qualifications that match the job requirements.

Use Keywords: Use keywords related to the job and industry to help your resume pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and catch the eye of the hiring manager.

Get Feedback: Ask a friend or mentor to review your resume and provide feedback on how to improve it.