Lesson 2: How to Make A Resume
That Stands Out
Your resume is a concise and informative introduction to companies. It tells your story and paints a picture of your skill, experience, and potential. You can stand out in a competitive job market, and your resume is the key – but how to write this effectively?
Before anything else, know that a resume should represent you properly and tailor it to the position. Your experiences must not necessarily relate directly, but they should reflect the skills an employer would value to match their needs.
Did you know?
A resume applies for positions in the industry, non-profit, and public sectors, while a curriculum vitae (CV) is for academia, fellowships, and grants.
Different Resume Sections
Let’s walk you through the basics. Know what information to include and how best to phrase it. Taking it in bite-sized pieces makes the process less challenging.
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Basic Information
Provide primary personal information, including your full name, contact details, and email address, so potential employers can contact you whenever they have questions or update you about your job application.
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Career Objective
Think of this as an elevator pitch. While this may be optional, it can also catch your recruiter’s attention. Keep it brief with your education, skills, and knowledge, and ask yourself: how can I be an asset to the company?
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Technical and Soft Skills
All your skills will not fit on a single page, so pick the ones relevant to the job. It’s best to have a mix of technical and soft skills to show how you engage with people and prove you can do the job.
Did you know?
Personal or soft skills apply to all professions and show how you work and interact with people. For example: adaptability, leadership, communication, et al.
Technical or hard skills are technical skills needed to perform specific tasks. For example: proficiency in MS Suites or other softwares.
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Educational Background
As a college graduate, your education is one of your greatest assets. Begin with your highest educational attainment and include only your tertiary education. List the university you attended, the year you graduated, and your major field.
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Work Experience
Are you a fresh graduate? Your internship is your first work experience. Provide the company name and duration. Use action verbs when specifying your responsibilities and accomplishments.
Did you know?
For students, the work experiences on a resume may differ from those working for 10 or 20 years. Employers value many different types of experiences when considering you for a job:
- Internships / on-the-job training (OJT)
- Volunteer work
- Active participation in clubs or organizations
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References
These are the names and contact information for managers and past colleagues to help recruiters validate your resume and employment or academic performance.
Must-Knows
In writing a resume, it should be:
- Specific rather than general
- Active rather than passive
- Written to express, not to impress
- Articulate rather than “flowery”
- Fact-based (quantify and qualify)
- Written for people who scan quickly
