When you need to get a job, the most important thing you must prepare is your resume along with your cover letter. The content of your resume will depend on the type of job you will be applying for, while other information such as your personal details will stay consistent. You will present your professional self in your resume. In this document, you must compile your educational background, job experiences, and skills/capabilities. No matter what type of job you are aiming for, stick to one purpose only and get interviewed. There are plenty of resume writing guidelines and resume writing services in case you plan to outsource resume writing to professionals. Decided to write a resume by yourself? You have to know the very basics and rules of it. Let’s start.

The Basic Steps

You must go over the basic steps in preparing and completing your resume. Remember, having a clear and concise goal will get you moving in starting your resume writing. The first thing to do is try to search and look for professional samples of resumes. There is plenty of information you can find on the internet. Choose one and make it your basis. Next, choose a template or format for your resume, it is crucial to opt for something organize, readable, and attractive. Place all the information in the right section to avoid unnecessary confusion.

The information and skills you will include should match the position you are applying to. Emphasize that you are fit for the job and that they should consider you. In line with the formatting or template, use the right font, font size, and color theme. Make it as professional and formal as possible. Finally, the most important part before submitting it is to proofread your resume. Ensure that you commit no mistakes to showcase your in-depth language and communication skill.

What to Include

Only showcase the relevant information in your resume. It is highly advisable to stick to at least a one-page resume. Make everything as relevant as possible to the job position you desire. If you have job experience that does not pertain to the job for which you are applying and you are running out of space for it, then don’t include it.

Contact Information

The first basic information to include in your resume is your updated contact information. Provide your personal phone number, email address, and home address. For the email address, make sure that you use a formal one. For example, lucyjohannasmith@gmail.com is more appropriate than iamcutegirl143@gmail.com. The home address should be complete; include your street and street number, city, and state/zip code. It is advisable to place your contact information at the topmost part of your resume.

Work Experience

Under the work experience, include all relevant experiences you have undergone, whether it be paid or not, such as any volunteer or charity works, internships, and so on. Indicate the company or the organization’s name where you were employed or had your internship/volunteer work, the complete address, your job position, employment period, and few important details of your accomplishments and skills used.

Education

Indicate the name of your school or universities where you spent college and post-graduate, like your master’s degree. Including your elementary and high school degree is not necessary. Under this section, you can also add your GPA (only include if it is above average and higher) and list of honors and/or awards.

Skills

Most companies today use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to sort out applicants based on skills. ATS ranks applicants through keywords that are specific to the job description. Hence, including your skills that are highly relevant to the position you are applying is crucial.

References

If you have a previous job history, it is recommended to include references at the end of your resume. You can also opt to include your professors and mentors during your academic career under the references section

Resume writing is a skill that is highly necessary for new graduate students and professionals. Take a look at other sources for more guidelines regarding resume writing. Remember the only way to get picked for an interview is through a convincing and excellent resume along with your cover letter.