What To Include In Your Resume

Elaborate Formats And Designs

When it comes to selecting a design for your resume, less is more. Not only do elaborate designs and unconventional formats confuse most applicant tracking systems, but they also annoy recruiters who are accustomed to quickly scanning a resume for specific information they expect to find in particular spots within the document. Don’t make recruiters hunt for the information they care about. Play it safe and stick to a clean resume design with a clear hierarchy. Not sure what works? Check out TopResume’s library of free resume samples.

Statistical Analysis And Data Mining

According to statistics, by the end of 2017, there were 2.7 zettabytes of data in the digital universe. And by the end of 2020, 1.7 megabytes of data will be created per second per person on the planet.

Just to put things in perspective, there are 31,536,000 seconds in a year, and more than 7.5 billion people on the Earth.

The amount of data is gigantic, and there arent enough skilled people on the planet to take advantage of it.

Modern techniques like data mining, text mining, sentiment analysis, and statistical analysis are becoming popular to make use of the enormous amount of data available.

You can use data mining and statistics for so many essential things, including:

• Analyze data and current trends
• Study customer mindset
• Take the right decisions for the business

This Is An Overview Of What To Include In Your Cv

• Name and contact details Placed at the top so nobody misses them
• Profile / Personal statement Hook readers with a quick sales pitch
• Core skills section Create a snapshot of your abilities
• Work experience Prove the impact you make in the workplace
• Education and qualifications Show that you have the right knowledge
• Hobbies and interests

This infographic shows you an overview of how these sections are arranged into the structure of your CV.

Try to stick to this structure as closely as you can.

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How To Include Communication Skills In Your Resume

Its essential to add action-oriented words in your resume to demonstrate excellent communication skills.

Here are some of the keywords you might want to add:

1. Active Listening.

• It highlights your ability to listen to what people say, not just hear them.
• Try to showcase how you think on your own, understand, and respond to your peers.

2. Public Speaking.

• Bring out a knack for public speaking in your resume. Here, you can also highlight your previous public addresses.

3. Constructive Criticism.

• Its a highly sought-after trait. Highlight how you can constructively criticize your teammates and peers and bring out the best in them.
• Mention how you welcome it as well, and how it has made you a better employee in your skill resume sections.

4. Interpersonal Communication.

• Highlight your interpersonal skills like self-confidence, work ethic, expertise at relationship management, and receptiveness to feedback.

5. On-ground Communication

• Here, you can emphasize your proficiency in the languages you are conversant with, and use words like expert, professional, and adept.
• Focus on how your communication skills made you more approachable in previous organizations.

How Many References Should You Have

Most job seekers should have between three and four references on their reference page.

However, if youre applying for a position that requires extensive vetting like a senior-level role, you should include between five and seven professional references.

But remember that all of your references should be high quality. Each reference should be able to meaningfully attest to your professional strengths and character. Dont include more references just to hit a higher number.

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Decide Which Type Of Rsum You Want

There are three types of résumés: chronological, functional and combination. You might want to consider more than one format of résumé if you’re applying for multiple jobs.

• Chronological is the most traditional format and lists experiences according to the order in which they took place. These résumés generally appeal to older readers and may be best suited for a conservative field.
• Functional is a type of résumé that lists your experiences according to skill. This is the format to use if you’re changing career direction . Because it displays your skills first, your work experience, or lack thereof, is not the main focus.
• Combination combines the best aspects of the chronological and functional styles. Be careful with length for this format the résumé can quickly get long.

What To Put On A Resume If You Have No Work Experience

Now, if you just graduated and have absolutely no work experience, heres what I recommend

However, if you have absolutely no work experience, heres what to put on your resume

Were going to follow the sections outlined above, but move #5 up to #3 so it will be right below your Summary section.

So it will look like this

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Spelling Or Grammar Mistakes

Proofread and spellcheck everything.

You are very unlikely to get called for an interview if you have a spelling or grammar mistake on your resume and nobodys going to tell you either.

So you need to find it yourself, or have a friend proofread it carefully for you!

Heres a little trick if you proofread it yourself: temporarily change your resume to an unusual font before proofreading. It will help you spot errors .

Now youve hopefully gotten answers to your questions about what should a resume include, and youve seen the top things to leave off as well.

Theres one final step, though, thats going to get you far more interviews from all of this

Final Tips To Remember When Writing Your Resume

By the time the recruiter or hiring manager reaches the end of your resume, they will have more than likely made their decision about whether to add your resume to the interview pile or not. Here are three final tips to help your resume reach the shortlist:Firstly, tailor your resume for each application. To make the interview shortlist, your resume must demonstrate that you possess most or all the criteria required in the job. Tailor your application for each position you apply for by expanding on your experience relevant to the job and cutting back the less relevant parts. You should also show that you are genuinely interested in this job. Failing to tailor your CV by submitting a blanket application will not impress. So, weave into your professional summary the reasons that make you a good fit for this particular position and what specifically resonates with you about the organisation or role.Secondly, make sure you add quantifiable results. As mentioned above, providing evidence to support the claims you make on your CV brings it to life and establishes for the reader the value you could bring. However, not every role allows for the sort of measurement by which you can prove your expertise. If you find yourself unsure how to add quantitative evidence this blog provides some tips. Adding links to your LinkedIn profile and online portfolios of work can also help the reader build a better picture of your competencies.

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List Any Awards You’ve Won And When You Won Them

When you’ve been recognized by someone else, you should let potential employers know about it. But you shouldn’t worry if you haven’t received any awards just skip this section.

Examples:

Richmond County National Essay Contest, Honorable Mention, May 2006.

Honor Roll, South Satchewan High School, Junior and Senior Years, 20082010.

Hard Skills Vs Soft Skills In Your Resume

There are endless skills that you can include on any resume, and you have to decide which ones will be the most effective. There are hard, industry-specific technical skills, as well as soft skills that every job demands.

Hard skills are technical abilities that are specific to a particular job and are often measurable. For software developers, their set of hard skills would include specific programming languages. Soft skills are personal skills or creative abilities that can come naturally or be strengthened over time. Some examples of soft skills are adaptability, self-motivation, people skills, time management, and the ability to work under pressure.

Some great skills employers love to see on your resume if you are looking for remote work are: written and verbal communication, the ability to work independently, time and task management, organization, comfort with technology, and specific knowledge of remote communication tools like Zoom, Skype, Dropbox, Google Suite, etc., shared Toni Frana, FlexJobs expert career coach.

Lets take a closer look at the skills section for your resume.

Note: FlexJobs is the longtime leader in helping job seekers find the highest-quality remote, work-from-home, hybrid, and flexible jobs. You can to our database of hand-screened job listings, as well as job search and career webinars, and many other great resources! Learn today howFlexJobs can empower your job search!

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What Not To Include In A Resume

Use your common sense when writing your resume. If you have been employed for many years and your career has evolved over time, knowing how to write a resume well means you will not include every role youve ever held, such as the casual retail position you had in high school or the captaincy of your social sporting team. Rather, use the limited space on your resume strategically by ensuring every line shows how you are relevant to the particular job youre applying for.

Similarly, if you have an advanced degree, few people are going to be concerned about the exams you took when you were 16 years old. Instead, only include training that is relevant to the position you are applying for.

Unless otherwise stated, you dont need to attach copies of certificates, qualifications or references. You should instead bring these to a job interview.

We also advise candidates to avoid listing their hobbies or interests. Focus instead on the experience and skills that make you suitable for the job youre applying for. The exceptions occur when you have limited relevant experience or if the employer specifically asks applicants to list hobbies. In these cases, keep it brief. Avoid anything that could be contentious, such as political affiliations, and instead show how your personality is suited to that of the organisation. For example, consider listing a hobby that requires expertise relevant to the role, such as organisational or communication skills.

Should You Include Internships On Your Resume

If you just graduated, chances are that an internship is the only relevant experience you have. So, definitely mention it in your resume.

If you have already worked for a few years, though, you can completely get rid of internships from your resume.

There are some exceptions to this rule, though. For example, if you did an internship at CERN , you would be better off keeping it.

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What Is The Best Resume Layout

The first thing a job recruiter notices about any resume is the layout.

Does it look organized or cluttered? Is it too short or too long? Is it boring and easy to ignore, or does it scream out Read me!?

Here are some of the best practices when it comes to your resume layout:

Resume Layout Must-Haves

1. One page in length. You should only go for 2 pages if you really, really believe that itll add significant value. HR managers in big firms get around 1,000+ resumes per month. Theyre not going to spend their valuable time reading your life story!

2. Clear section headings. Pick a heading and use it for all the section headers.

3. Ample white-space, especially around the margins.

4. Easy-to-read font. Wed recommend sticking to what stands out, but not too much. Do: Ubuntu, Roboto, Overpass, etc. Dont : Comic Sans

5. Pick the right font size. As a rule of thumb, go for 11 – 12 pt for normal text, and 14 – 16 pt for section titles.

6. As a rule of thumb, save your resume as PDF. Word is a popular alternative, but it has a good chance of messing up your resume formatting.

One more thing you need to consider in terms of resume layout is whether youre going for a traditional-looking free resume template or something a bit more modern:

If youre pursuing a career in a more traditional industry – legal, banking, finance, etc. – you might want to stick to the first.

How To Discover Skills The Company Values

You need to use the job description to customize your resume skills and work history sections. But dont stop there. Research the employer to gain insight into the workplace culture and company values. You may discover additional qualities that would be prized by the employer.

If you know someone who works at the company, or has in the past, reach out to ask about the workplace culture and what the employer considers important in its workers. Also check websites such as Glassdoor and Fairygodboss for company reviews by employees and former employees.

The companys website can tell you a lot, too. Reading the About Us page is typically a good place to begin.

For instance, in a section called Living our values, IBM includes the following:

• Dedication to every clients success
• Innovation that matters for our company and for the world
• Trust and responsibility in all relationships

If you were applying for a job at IBM, you would want to consider what soft skills you possess that fit this framework customer service, attentiveness, initiative and loyalty and weave them into your resume.

Here at Robert Half, we focus on and promote our four LEAD principles. They are:

• Leadership by Example
• An Openness to New Ideas
• Dedication to Excellence

If youre applying for a job at Robert Half, you might highlight skills that speak to your leadership, drive and diligence, as well as your confidence and ability to collaborate.

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Relevant Social Media Handles

LinkedIn

Many companies nowadays ask for a Linkedin profile when you apply for a job.

Your chances of getting hired will be greater if you as your resume.

In very specific cases, you can also include your Twitter profile .

Some marketing jobs ask for an existing social following, for example. In others, you could use it to display your witty, under-20-characters writing skills.

Quora

Quora questions and answers cover a wide range of business topics nowadays.

Are you an expert at giving business advice with 100+ answers on the topic? You can show your authority by linking your Quora page.

StackOverflow

Mainly relevant for developers,coders, computer scientists.

Having a very active Stack overflow profile can give you a big boost if you code.

Github

Only for developers, coders, data scientists, etc.

Github is a great way to showcase your projects. Whether its a website you developed, or a mobile game, make sure to include it!

Medium

Freelancers, writers, bloggers, and entrepreneurs.

A rich medium profile can help you showcase your writing skills and personality before even getting to the interview or trial task.

Make sure to only put the relevant social media handles on your resume. If you are applying for a software development position, for example, your StackOverflow profile will be more relevant than your Twitter account.

City Province Or Territory And Country

Where you’re applying for an international or remote opportunity, employers can request you include your address in this format. You can also include it to let the hiring manager know your location if you have any specific requests. You can skip other details like street names and postal codes when using this format.

Example:Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

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Why Should You Know What To Include In A Resume

It’s important to know what to include in a resume because a good resume can help you secure an interview. A resume is a written compilation of your credentials, accomplishments, education and work experience. When applying for a job, candidates usually submit their resumes alongside a cover letter or job application form. A resume helps your prospective employer learn who you are and assess whether or not your experiences and skills match their job opening. Therefore, it is essential to include all of the information they need to make that judgement.

Things To Include On Your Resume As An Auto Body Technician

Crafting a well-written resume is your ticket to success in the automotive industry. There are many opportunities out there for professional auto body technicians, and it is essential that you get your resume spot on in order to land your dream job. Your resume should demonstrate to an employer that you have the technical knowledge, soft skills, and practical experience that will allow you to excel in the position.

A resume is your chance to highlight your strengths and provide further details about your specific area of expertise. At ATC Surrey, our dedicated instructors will guide and support you at every step of the way by highlighting what you need to succeed in your career. Read on to discover what you should include in your resume to get started in your career.

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Next Steps: Tailoring Your Resume To The Job

Now that you know what sections to put on your resume, let’s talk about its content.

It’s essential that any information you’ve mentioned on your resume is relevant to the job.

We really cant emphasize enough how important it is for you to check every section you have put on your resume and make sure each one is tailored to the job/position you are applying for.

Why?

Because the hiring manager wants the job seeker that’s applying for THEIR position, not sending a mass application to 50+ different companies.

So, heres how youd tailor your resume to the job youre applying for. As step #1, take a look at the job ad and identify top requirements and skills.

Lets use the following ad as an example:

As you can see, the most important requirements are:

• 5+ years of experience in the field
• Skills in Copywriting, Photoshop, and email marketing
• Practical experience creating and optimizing landing pages

Now, you need to make sure you mention all of these in your resume, in whichever section theyre relevant.

Now that you know exactly what to put on a resume, we thought it would be helpful to also cover what NOT to put on a resume.