LIFESTYLE 6 years ago

7 Tips for Writing Your Resume

Hey everyone! It’s Linette back on the blog today. Quick note before we jump into this topic – thanks to everyone who wrote such encouraging comments on my first post. I’m so glad you enjoyed and found the tips to be helpful. Excited to continue this series, so onto the next one!

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Writing a resume can be daunting and stressful. Whether you’re starting from scratch, or refreshing the one you have – there are so many ways to approach the task at hand. For me, being clear, concise, and focusing on contributions seem to be the best formula. This is also what I look for when considering new talent. I am by NO means an expert at this but there are a lot of great articles re: what a “modern” resume looks like (check out this one from LinkedIn and Monster). Here are some of the best tips I’ve found from experience and various sources:

1. Be specific.

If you’re ‘word-stuffing’ your job description, a recruiter/hiring manager will sniff that out in a second. Clearly state what you worked on and how you drove results (specify sales #, period of time, if you worked w/ cross-functional teams, etc.)

2. Prepare to prove yourself. 

Make sure that whatever you claim on your resume you can actually own up to it. There’s nothing worse than finally finding an awesome resume, but in an interview, the candidate can’t articulate how they delivered on each contribution.

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3. Cater to your audience. 

If it’s a job you really want, spend the time to tweak your resume so it speaks to the role you’re going after. If it says they’re looking for a team player, demonstrate how you worked with others to build a project, execute, solve problems together, etc.

4. Be easy on the eyes.

Remember that most HR/hiring managers filter through tons of resumes every day. Make sure your 1-sheet page is visually pleasing, easy to track, and modern in aesthetic. It should be a no-brainer to find your contact info, figure out how long you worked at each job, and get a quick sense of your experience.

5. Spell check, grammar check. 

Any spelling / grammatical errors are simply pet peeves for most people who review resumes. Don’t be lazy – there are plenty of automated tools to utilize and no excuses not to.

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6. Think of a theme. 

Recently, I’ve realized I have a common thread throughout my varied work experience: I thrive on indie-style brands. Try to think of a way to define what your value-add is and weave this story throughout your resume.

7. Honesty is the best policy. 

Be real with yourself and the role you’re seeking. You should be proud of every line you write on your resume – not trying to hide behind fluffy words. There’s no sense in wasting your time (or the hiring person’s time) if in the end, your experience doesn’t match up to the profile they need. It just means it’s not the right fit, and that’s ok!

Would love to hear your resume tips and what your experience has been with job hunting!

x,

Linette

Credits:

Photography by Xin Wang