How to build your resume from scratch
Are you looking for new jobs or internships? Are you worried your resume will be a detriment to your application? Well, we have got you all covered! Now learn how to submit well-written resumes for your very next career hunt.
First, let's start with clearing some ambiguities!
OUTLINE
1. What are resumes?
A resume is, in short, a document that presents a person's background, say their degree, skills or achievements. It summarizes both professional and academic achievements to give your prospective employer a brief overview. Your goal is to provide information that will depict your abilities and convince your employer why you are fit for their post.
A general misinterpretation is that it provides a complete overview of a person's professional history. Well, it is not so exactly. While it allows for your interviewer with your past acquisitions, its main plan is to make the employers think that you are worth interviewing and, subsequently, hiring.
2. Differences between Resumes and CVs
Before we proceed, let us first understand the differences between resumes and CVs ( curriculum vitae).
Both resumes and CVs serve the same purpose: presenting you as the most suitable candidate for the specific job by listing your achievements and skills.
Then the question arises: What makes the two different from one other? Are they really even separate? Well, the answer to that is yes. They are, in fact, quite distinct! Usually, people point out how the difference arises due to dialects: Americans call it a resume, and Europeans call it a CV. While this is true, there is actually more to this. Resumes are short, usually a one-page summary of your professional experiences and background, which is relevant to the job you are applying for, and CVs are a longer academic diary which lists all your certificates, publications and accomplishments.
3. How to write your resume: the dos and don'ts
Now that the differences are cleared out, and the basic idea has been given to you, let's address the main issue: How does one actually write a resume? Moreover, how does one write it effectively? Well, do not worry because here we will be listing some basic points to get you started! Let us first get the dos and don'ts out of the way.
Dos (i) Keep your resume as clear and concise as possible. (ii) Limit your resume to a maximum of two pages. (iii) Only include the details which are relevant to the job you are applying for.
(iv) Be honest about everything you have achieved in reality. Do not lie. (v) Double check to ensure that the information you have provided is correct. (vi) Do include any unpaid work you have done, especially if it's related to the job you are applying for since it leaves a good impression.
Don'ts (i) Don't include unnecessary personal information. (ii) Don't use too many bullet points. (iii) Don't include your personal pictures. (iv) Don't include irrational hobbies or interests.
4. Skills to include in a resume
Did you know that almost 25% of recruitments are done on the basis of skills that one has listed under their resume? Well, let's discuss skills to include on your resume next then!
There are two types of skills which are needed for any job. These are:
Hard skills
Soft skills
Hard skills are solely connected to the skills that are relevant to the job you are applying to. For example, skills like data analysis is important to a technical job. Soft skills, on the other hand, include the social skills of a person. For example, their ability to do team work and handle work under pressure. Work on listing these skills on your resume under separate sections.
5. Resume example
Assume that a resume is to be created to apply for a blog writer internship. Let us understand how to write a resume by understanding how a prospective intern will approach this task:
SALLY RAMP
(Write full name on top. This should be on top with emphasis)
Washington DC | sally@email.com | (123)xxxxx
(Write contact details)
SUMMARY
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I am a budding blogger/writer with 5 years of experience in non-profit organisations. I have worked on newsletters for school and college. (Short summary that highlights your skills and experience in the particular field)
EDUCATION
Â
Washington public school Aug'98- April'9 DC university June'9- current year
(Mention your degrees and certificates. Add the timelines of each)
EXPERIENCE
Â
I have worked for 3+ months at an NGO as a content blogger and have written multiple articles for the school newsletters over the years which have also been subsequently published in notable newspapers. (Cite all the experiences from paid/unpaid internships to jobs and clubs. Also, mention your biggest achievements to highlight yourself as a potential candidate.)
SKILLS
Â
Content development and writing
American English
Creative writing
People's skill
(Highlight all the soft and hard skills known to you)
HOBBIES
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Painting
Film Connoisseur
(Add hobbies, especially those that are in the field of work. This depicts you as a well-rounded individual.)
6. Bonus tips!
Now that you've learned the art of making a resume, let me tell you some of my own secret tips! Go ahead and up your game!
Work on creating 4-5 draft resumes and select the best one that presents you as the best candidate
Check the name of the profession you are applying for and then work on matching the skills from the work description of the employer.
Always add your language skills, if you have any.
Do not lie about anything on your resume. This may have severe consequences and ultimately lead to blacklisting.
Try to make your CV/resume as concise as possible without repetitive words.