What Makes a Resume Stand Out?

Resume writing is your way of marketing and selling yourself on paper. You would want your qualifications to primarily catch the attention of employers and then show them later in greater detail how well-suited you are to the requirements. Though very promising as you may be, the way you present your credentials largely determines your chances of getting hired. Hence, it is a must that you become well-aware of the dos and don’ts in resume writing.
Dos:

• Write the resume according to the requirements of your desired position. You must show your employers how exactly fit and right you are for the job. While you may recycle your resume for other positions, make sure to employ the necessary adjustments with each different application.
• Be informative but concise. On an average, employers spend only 22 seconds scanning and digesting pieces of your resume information which they find interesting. Use bullets instead of complete sentences. Choose your words wisely, indicate numbers for achievements, and incorporate keywords that create impact.
• Proofread your resume more than once, and have others proofread it too. All information in a resume must always be accurate and correctly presented. Find out from other people if your manner of presenting facts is simple and clear enough even to someone with a different background from yours.

Don’ts:

• Do not ever lie in your resume. Although you may remove some information which are irrelevant to the position you’re applying for, exaggerated facts will surely rob your chances of being hired; or if not, haunt you later when you suddenly cannot meet expectations built on false credentials.
• Do not employ your own version of a resume format. Although variations in styles exist, there are established basics and standards that must be adhered to in all forms of resume writing. A resume must capture the employers’ attention but never confuse them or lead them to doubt your ability of writing a good resume.
• Do not take your resume for granted. Do not rush. Do not use a quirky email address like cute_guy@yahoo.com or sexy_girl@gmail.com lest you want to be misinterpreted as someone not serious about your job application.

Above are only some of the major points that must be noted in resume writing. There are countless other reminders that will ensure building a good resume and which are well-known by professional resume writers. Nevertheless, a job applicant must always be aware of how to present his worth in a resume, which will all be recalled after his resume is selected – during the job interview.