Even with all the changes in our world due to technology, one classic form of communication remains effective: the resume. This informative document is yours to personalize, but some elements are consistent. This is an opportunity to present your skills in the best light to your potential employer. With that in mind, a few key items are important.
Contact Information: Telling your employer how to get in touch with you has changed over the years. In the past, a simple address and phone number posted at the top of your resume would do. In today’s business environment, this area is also where you reveal your email address and online presence. Definitely list your LinkedIn link here, but other social media links is industry specific. For example, you may want to include your Instagram link if you’re in an art-related field. To note as well, posting your exact address is a personal choice. Perhaps consider just stating your city and state.
Summary of Qualifications: Some employers may skim your resume and just want to see what skills you bring to the table. For this reason, in this section make a quick mention of job titles and brief accomplishments, along with any degrees, that apply to your desired position. It is important to update this section for each job you consider. Think about why the potential employer wants to know that you have a particular skill. In other words, you want to capture the reader’s attention!
Professional History: In this part of your resume, showcase that you have both steady employment and practical skills which culminated in results. If you don’t have much work experience yet, that’s okay. In this case, list volunteer positions or internships. State the name and location (city, state) of the company, plus dates you worked there (month, year). Then follow up with a few bullet points that tell a story about your time at that organization. Start your sentence or phrases with action verbs, such as, “Sold homes to 52 clients resulting in over $50M in revenue.”
Education: Some employers are more concerned about your education than others. Regardless, it’s important to list at least the basics of your education. Lead with your highest degree first. State the name and location of the school, years attended or year graduated, type of degree and field of study. Only list your GPA if your industry is concerned with your level of achievement in this area. High school graduation can be left off as soon as you can list a college graduation. Also, list any additional schooling you have completed in this area, such as course work related to your career field.
Did you find the strategies listed in this article helpful? If so, how have they worked for you? Please feel free to share your comments. I’d love to know what you think!
Next week, I’ll share tips on how to research a potential employer…
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