Build the Perfect Resume-A Few Standard Practices

What role does a resume play in your career advancement? According to ZipRecruiter (ziprecruiter.com), a major role. A resume is your gateway to opportunities, the first door of introduction of your experience and accomplishment. By default, you would want it to be ideal. In a study done by ZipRecruiter, having analyzed more than three million resumes, they came up with the findings of what separates a great resume with a mediocre one.

Below are some findings:

• A Good Cover Letter:

1. A good cover letter is important. It’s the first impression you leave on the recruiter. Keep in mind the following when formulating your cover letter while applying:
2. Always define your purpose in the cover letter. Try to describe how you would be a perfect fit for the opportunity. Let it be precise and to the point.
3. Try to customize the cover letter to the culture of the company in which you’re applying. If it’s a startup, make sure you sound hungry and excited and vice versa.
4. Address the company’s needs by describing how you could be the perfect fit. If you could provide an example of a similar accomplishment in the past, nothing like it.
5. Absence of ego. Too many I’s will not make a very pleasant impression. Let the tone be formal.

Resume Context and Length:

Your expectation from the resume is to land an interview. You cannot land a job with the resume alone. So make sure that the resume is contextual. It should describe the experience, the fit and recommendations if any. Do not divert the resume into hobbies and lengthy ambition statements. They do not have a positive effect on the recruiters.

• In terms of length, the resume should be:

1. Crisp and to the point.
2. Not too lengthy, two pages should be enough.
3. Not content heavy with long sentences.
4. Bullet points with short sentences is a good practice.

 Resume Language:

The language you use doesn’t just describe your experience but you as a person as well. Follow these best practices:

• Don’t use heavily positive keywords like: first, achievement, best, myself etc.
• On the other hand, try using development, learning as much as possible within the limits of context.
• Keep the sentences short and clear.
• Avoid using jargon at all costs.

 Resume Structure:

Remembering that the resume is a document, short and crisp, to land an interview while writing it will make you exclude redundant elements that may end up turning off your potential recruiter.