What Is Resume Writing? How to Create a Better Resume

Resume writing is about creating a document that showcases your work skills, experiences, and achievements.

It's not like other types of writing. It's short, straight to the point, and designed for a specific job or industry.

It sticks to the facts and uses professional, objective language, without personal pronouns.

The main goal of a resume? To promote yourself to potential employers and land job interviews.

What Is Resume Writing?

Discover How to Write an Effective Resume

A resume is your professional story. It's a snapshot of your work history, education, and achievements.

This formal document plays a vital role in any job search, as it offers employers a glimpse of your abilities.

Your resume helps decision-makers like recruiters and HR managers understand if you fit their needs.

The primary goal? To land an interview!

Overview

Think of your resume as a ticket to an interview.

It should clearly highlight your skills and experiences, backed by tangible examples. Projects you've worked on, the results achieved, and why these experiences make you a good fit for the desired job.

Remember, each job application requires a tailored approach. You wouldn't use the same resume for Microsoft and Starbucks, right?

So, before you hit 'send' or upload your resume online, ask yourself: What are employers looking for in me?

What's the Ideal Resume Length?

There's no one-size-fits-all rule for resume length, but typically, it ranges between 1-2 pages.

Here's a tip: you have about 10 seconds to grab a hiring manager's attention with your resume. So make sure it's well structured.

Your professional summary is critical and often the first thing that catches a hiring manager's eye. Ensure it reflects your relevant skills and experience and matches keywords from the job description.

Including keywords from the job description will help your resume stand out in the job search and pass any applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Some ATS systems may not accept PDF files, so having versions of your resume in both Word and PDF formats is a smart move.

Resume Writing: Common Pitfalls

When crafting a resume, avoid these common resume mistakes:

• Length - If you've been working for many years, your resume might be too lengthy. Keep in mind that recruiters only glance at each resume for 15-30 seconds. So, make sure you present all essential details concisely and clearly.
• Tone - Portray yourself in a positive light but avoid exaggerating your skills. Remember, most resumes only get a 10-30 second review before they are sorted into 'yes', 'no', or 'maybe' piles. Aim to land in the 'yes' pile every time!
• Employment Gaps - It's okay to leave out certain periods if you've had breaks in your employment. You can address these gaps in your cover letter or during the interview.
• Objective - This is where you state the job positions you're interested in. Aim to stand out as a desirable candidate for your dream job. Avoid generic statements and too many personal details. Incorporate relevant hard skills, soft skills, and technical skills where appropriate to show you're the perfect fit for the job.

Choosing the Right Resume Format

When entering the job market, job seekers must present their skills, experience, and qualifications effectively.

The first step in this journey is choosing the best resume format to make a good impression on the hiring manager.

Let's explore the three standard resume formats most often used: reverse chronological, functional, and combination.

By selecting the appropriate format, job seekers can enhance their chances of success and beat the competition.

Effective Resume Examples

Reverse Chronological Order Resume

The reverse chronological resume format is a common type. It organizes your previous jobs from newest to oldest. This format is great if your last job matches the position you want now.

Functional Resume

The skills-based or functional resume format emphasizes your abilities, not the jobs you've had. This style is good if you're switching careers, have employment gaps, or mostly did volunteer work. Your key skills are at the top of a skills-based resume.

Hybrid or Combination Resume

The hybrid resume mixes the reverse order and skills-based styles. It lets you show off your abilities and your job history. This mix is excellent for office jobs or jobs needing many skills.

Always pair your resume with a good cover letter to show why you're a good fit for the job. Use a good resume builder or resume template and avoid common errors to make your resume stand out in the competitive job market.

FAQ

How do you go about writing a resume that will stand out from the competition?

A resume is very similar to an advertisement in a newspaper: both have limited space and time to get attention from readers/employers.

The most interesting and persuasive resume wins the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. So how do you make a resume that grabs attention? Pay attention to three key areas:

• Make sure to include the top 3 accomplishments that best represent your strengths and history of performance in your current position.
• Show what you can do for an employer, not what you want from them.
• Keep it short, simple, and clean in layout.

What are some tips for writing a resume?

The following list of resume writing tips summarizes useful ways to make a good impression when applying for a job:

1. Be clear
2. Be concise
3. Use action-oriented language
4. Mention relevant skills
5. Focus on achievements
6. Show results
7. Offer genuine information
8. Highlight affiliations
9. Keep formatting consistent
10. Tailor your resume to each specific job title

What are some common mistakes people make when writing resumes?

Some common resume writing errors include:

• Writing as if to a friend, not a potential employer
• Not tailoring the resume for each position
• Focusing on skills or qualifications that are not necessary
• Poor information organization
• Misspellings and grammatical errors.

Do my cover letters need to match my resume?

Yes! Your cover letters should align with your resume.

Consistent formatting, style, and tone create a professional image and positive first impression. The cover letter should complement the resume by extending its narrative, not repeating it.

Your resume lists qualifications and experiences, but the cover letter tells the story behind them. It provides context, demonstrates understanding of the role, and conveys enthusiasm for the job.

In a nutshell, your resume and cover letter work hand-in-hand to present a detailed picture of your professional self, so ensure they send a cohesive message.

How can you make sure your resume represents your skills and experience in the best possible light?

• Focus on the skills you have that are relevant to the position use action verbs, not passive verbs.
• What specific points can you make to show them how knowledgeable you are about their company?
• Are there any connections between the company and your background/interests/experience?
• How can you incorporate these things into your resume summary so that they stand out?

What should you do if you don't have any experience in the field you're trying to get a job in?

This is a challenge for anybody who changes careers because of an unexpected lay-off or to follow their passion.

The first step is to decide what you would like to do (and why). List the skills and experience that will be valuable for your desired job - don't forget soft skills! Then identify how you can transfer these from other areas of your life into the career path you're considering.

For example, if you want to get into PR but don't have any previous experience (apart from writing blog posts), perhaps consider working as an event host. It may not seem like anything related to PR - but the experience will hone your customer service skills, which are valuable for many jobs, networking opportunities with journalists, and people in the media.

Be creative!