Having a problem getting job interviews? The problem may be with your resume.
The goal of a resume is to showcase your skills and experience and persuade an employer that you have what it takes to be successful in a position or career.
If you haven’t written a resume before or it’s been a long time since you have, there are techniques you can use to develop a targeted resume for the positions you are seeking. To get the best results, follow these tips:
- Include your phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile link. At the least include your city, state, and ZIP code. Some employers prefer a mailing address as well.
- Include the three to four most recent jobs you’ve held and the ones most relevant to the job for which you are applying. Arrange in reverse chronological order with the most recent listed first. Resumes are not to serve as a history of all your past jobs.
- Identify your accomplishments, not just list your job descriptions. Focus on what you did in the job. When possible, note your accomplishments with numbers or results achieved. Show the value and benefit you brought to the employer or job.
- Selectively apply bold and italic typeface to help guide the reader’s eye without making the resume look too busy or distracting. Use bullets to call attention to important points (i.e., key accomplishments, responsibilities, and skills).
- Format your resume to be easily read by scanning. Focus on keywords from the job description that match your skills and abilities.
- Give a comprehensive picture of your skills and strengths. Focus on the employer’s needs, not yours.
- Limit your resume to one page if you are early in your career.
A resume is most effective if you can give it to a network of people who can pass it along to hiring managers and recruiters. Network at the upcoming spring career fairs and meet with a variety of employers. Be sure to bring plenty of copies of your resume!
Take advantage of the helpful resources available at the Career Center.
