10 golden rules while preparing a resume

Dec 10, 2021

In a nutshell, resumes are short summaries of your work experience. In the current job market, every employer is looking for ways to cut down on their screening time and get better candidates through the door. In this scenario, it is important that you write a resume which will make an immediate impression. Your resume should not be verbose or too lengthy but rather crisp and clear in its intent to call attention to your skillset and experience. Here are 10 golden rules while preparing a resume:

1) The most important rule while preparing a CV/resume is never lie about what you have done [it may backfire on you]! Make sure that all the points mentioned by you are true [or at as close as possible]. Employers don't usually check documents, but if they do your resume would be the first thing to get checked. Remember, honesty is the best policy.

2) Always mention relevant job experience rather than irrelevant qualifications [unless you are making a new CV]. For example, give more weightage to relevant jobs done in an office or workplace rather than school projects or volunteer work.

3) Draft multiple versions of resumes for different jobs/employers by varying skillset and experience levels. It may come in handy while reaching out to prospective employers. Also adjust skill levels depending on company requirements (if there are any).

4) Highlight your Soft Skills wherever possible; especially traits like communication skills, leadership qualities etc., while writing a resume. Employers crave for candidates with strong soft skills to be successful in an organization.

5) Ensure that you tailor your resume to suit job requirements [don't give generic resumes]. Tailor the document by mentioning relevant work experience, academic achievements etc., and add more such information where necessary. Don't go overboard while doing this; keep it simple and crisp.

6) Use quality paper, tidy fonts and easy-to-read formatting while preparing a CV/resume [good presentation is half the battle won]. Employers judge a candidate based on the way he or she presents themself and a well presented resume will put you miles ahead of others. While giving importance to content over presentation is fine, make sure there is no drawback in giving due importance to presentation [especially in a competitive job market].

7) Do not go overboard when it comes to using jargon, technical terms etc., while preparing a resume. Employers want a candidate who they can train and groom further based on their existing skillset. They don't want a work in progress which will take considerable time and effort to upskill them with the organization's needs. Therefore, choose terms wisely while explaining your past work experience.

8) Use high quality references from previous employers whenever possible. Make sure that you mention email IDs of previous supervisors or HR heads of companies where you have worked for, along with telephone numbers [especially if you are applying for jobs online]. This will come handy when an employer wants to call you for an interview without any delay.

9) Never include personal matters like religion and caste in a resume [it shouldn't be included even when written]. If needed, mention these things in your cover letter [not in the resume]. Keep the document strictly professional by sticking to facts rather than personal opinion or feelings about work done. Employers hire talent based on job requirements, not personality traits [unless required for a particular position].

10) Avoid going overboard while using fancy words, highfalutin words etc., while preparing a resume. Go for concise language which is easy to read. Write keeping in mind that it will be read by people from all kinds of backgrounds and cultures. For example, good writing is clear, simple and unambiguous.

 

10 important factors which creates positive image in employer and lands you to perfect job.

1) Be honest while writing a resume.

2) All aspirants should mention relevant experience rather than irrelevant qualifications in their resumes.

3) Various resume formats should be prepared by different candidates for different vacancies.

4) Employers crave for people with good soft skills, so it is advised to emphasize on the same while drafting a resume.

5) In order to grab attention of employers, candidates must choose terms wisely while describing past work experience [while drafting a resume].

6) A well presented resume puts an edge over others when applying for jobs [moreover it also makes during interview process].

7) Employers look for talent rather than personal traits; hence it is advised to stick to facts while mentioning professional background in resumes.

8) With overall rise in competition, people are using templates available online to increase the readability of their resumes.

9) A candidate must avoid including irrelevant information or personal opinions about past work experience while writing a resume.

10) One should not use fancy words or highfalutin language while preparing a resume as employers may feel if the candidate will be able to communicate effectively on daily basis with colleagues/clients etc., at office.

10 important factors which creates positive image in employer and lands you to perfect job.

1) Do not lie about any work experience or qualifications mentioned on your resume as the employers will find out eventually during reference checking process or during your first interview itself.

2) You must give due importance to all kinds of relevant and irrelevant qualification and experiences while preparing a resume even if you don't have much work experience.

3) Always remember that conventional resumes are always preferred over unconventional ones by all types of companies without exception. Hence, one should prepare a conventional format for applying for jobs online as well as offline. However, there is no harm in experimenting with resume formats for applying for jobs online.

4) Employers tend to go through the resumes of candidates applying for senior position meticulously; hence one should make sure that experience and skills mentioned on their resume are really verified by cross checking with people, who had worked/are working along side.

5) Before writing a resume you must figure out where your resume is going to be used i.e.. job sites or companies. If you are uploading your resume on several websites then it is advised to use generic terms like excellent communication skills etc., instead of mentioning IB, TCS etc., as these terms mean nothing before an employer without further clarification of what exactly does it stand for.

6) Don't write a long resume which is difficult to understand quickly. Employers usually don't have time to spend more than a minute per page on a resume, hence one must remember this fact while writing a resume or modifying their old resume for applying for jobs online.

7) Only highlight the most relevant skills and experiences of yours in your resumes rather than including all kinds of information with equal importance in it.

8) In order to add more creativity in your resumes you can add lucid summaries at the top so that employers get an overall picture about you from the first glance itself. [In addition to this, when they will go through complete details later]

9) One should not use fancy words in their as these terms are frequently used by job seekers to describe their skills and experiences which are actually mediocre. Hence, it is advised to use terms like high profile assignment, excellent research skills etc., instead of using fancy words for describing your work experience.

10) It is advised not to include personal information in resumes including marital status, family background etc., as these things have no place in resumes before an employer.

There are several other involved factors which play equally important role in getting jobs. Hence, one should make sure to be familiar with these things also.

A) Be confident about your skills and work experience

B) Visit job sites daily

C) Follow up on emails

D) Don't call or send emails frequently

E) Create a professional LinkedIn profile as well as Facebook page as it helps employers as well as other professionals to know you better. This way you can leave a great impression on people who matter including those who may write references for you.

F) Networking is another key factor which matters lot while looking for jobs so feel free to share your profiles and resumes online wherever possible and connect with other like-minded people along with following them on all relevant social media.

G) Search for jobs online and try to get an interview call from the company you are willing to work for so that at least they get a chance to consider your profile for their future recruitment process.

H) Try updating your CV frequently and go through it once again before submitting it anywhere in order to ensure that there is no discrepancy or typo left in it.

I) Give interviews confidently and feel free about asking questions about job responsibilities and opportunities during such face-to-face meetings with HR of companies where you had applied online for a job vacancy. [In addition to this, when you will be invited for an interview, there are certain questions which you must ask from interviewer/interview panel].