Perhaps you’re a fresh graduate looking to join the job hunt. Or maybe you’re eyeing a promotion and it’s been years since you last updated your resume.
Whatever situation you’re in, there’s no doubt a compelling resume is key to impressing potential employers and getting the job. But you aren’t a resume writing expert. You just don’t know what to include.
We’re here to help!
Continue reading for a quick guide on the key information to include.
Your Contact Information
This is quite straightforward, really.
A resume, in as much as it’s a professional document, is also an identification document. The first thing anyone who lays eyes (or hands) on your resume looks for is your name and contact details.
Write your name, in full. Avoid using suffixes such as “Jr,” “Sr,” or “III.”
In the same section, include your contact details (both phone number and email address). Depending on the nature of the job you’re applying for, your website address can suffice.
Include your physical address too.
Your Educational and Professional Background
Of course, your educational qualifications must be on your resume.
When and where did you go to college? What did you study? What certificate were you awarded?
If you’ve got more than one educational qualification, include them all, especially if they’re relevant to the job you’re applying.
A common question among many job seekers is whether to include their high school education in their resumes. Well, for most professional jobs, you don’t need to include your high school education. The fact that you already have a college degree is enough proof that you received a high school education.
However, if a high school diploma (or its equivalent) is your highest qualification so far, you have no choice but to include it; otherwise, the employer might assume you didn’t complete or are yet to complete high school.
If you’ve got professional certifications, this is the section to mention them. Indicate the certification(s) awarded, along with the awarding body.
Arranging this information shouldn’t be a problem, especially if you’re using a digital resume template. resume format templates from Adobe Sparks, for instance, guide you through the process and making the task a lot easier.
Your Occupational Skills and Personal Attributes
An employer isn’t necessarily going to hire you just because you graduated top of your class in college. Or because you’ve got multiple professional certifications and endorsements.
They also want to know more about your occupational skills and personal attributes.
As such, list down those skills and attributes, and ensure they’re relevant to the job position you’re seeking. For example, if you’re applying for a nursing job, mention the skills you acquired in college, as well as personal attributes such as empathy and emotional intelligence.
You Know What to Put on a Resume
Determining what to put on a resume can be challenging if you haven’t mastered the art of writing resumes. In a document that needs to clearly and concisely communicate your key competencies, you have to get it right. Lucky for you, we’ve given you a head start.
Keep reading our blog for more informative articles.