For some when it comes to writing a resume it can be seen as a bit of a dark art where opinions vary depending on the type of role and sector you work in. For example there is much debate on how many pages a resume should be, whether to include a short intro video, how creative a resume should look and what depth of content you should add etc etc.
Therefore the following will help you navigate your way through to building a meaningful and relevant resume that will grab the attention of your audience.
Some key points to keep in mind:
Whether you are applying directly to a hiring manager or engaging with a recruitment agency the chances are you will be up against a number of other applicants so it is important that your resume does stand out but for the right reasons.
The truth is, both hiring managers and recruitment consultants will have a number of applications to work through. Therefore, at first they tend to only quick scan a resume for key words relevant to the role in question. If they have to hunt through your resume to establish who you are the chances are you could be bypassed.
When it comes to resume formats, again due to the internal processes, we always recommend submitting your resume in Word doc. Especially if you are engaging with a recruitment agency. The reason being is that most recruiters tend to drop your resume content into their own template that will hide your contact details as well as include their own notes of you. If you’ve only supplied a PDF then formatting issues can occur when copying over and therefore run the risk of some information being missed.
Below are some other key Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to resume writing.