Build a professional resume in seven easy steps

Do you feel that you need resume help? Is your resume looking a little too bland for the modern job market? Building a professional resume to help navigate the job market is not a difficult task. With an hour or two to spare and a bit of elbow grease, you can get it done smoothly. Before you begin creating your new resume, listen to what our experts have to share on the topic.

Give it visual appeal

Although you may feel that the content of your resume matters more than its looks, a potential employer must actually like what they see on the first page when they open the resume. If your resume is a black-and-white mess of bulky text, they won’t feel compelled to read the whole thing through. Choose a visually appealing, clean, and modern design for your resume.

Customize for the job

Do you have a particular job title in mind? Better yet, have you spotted a job description that you really want to apply for? Then, it will make your resume writing process a whole lot easier. Read the job description and tailor your resume to align with the employer’s requirements. This includes choosing relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to display on the document.

Keep your formatting consisted

Tempted to use three different kinds of bullet points and five font styles for your resume? That will only give your resume a messy appearance. Keep it classy by sticking to one or two font styles. Ensure that the bullet points are uniform throughout the document. Use only one date format when creating your resume. Also, ensure that the margins, indentions, alignments, and headings are consistent throughout the resume.

Don’t make it too long

Do you feel that you need to include a job from 15 years ago and another one even older? Making your resume too long is not a smart move. A too-long resume gives employers the impression that you don’t know how to prioritize and summarize important information. Also, including older jobs to fill the length of the resume will involve listing skills and experiences that are outdated. Mention only the last 10-15 years of your career to keep your resume relevant to modern times.

Employ action verbs

Do you see a lot of bullet points starting with, “Responsible for…” on your resume? That’s such a passive way of describing your contributions for previous employers. Each bullet point on your resume must start with an action verb. Use descriptive adjectives to bring out the best of your professional impact. Use a good variation of action verbs. You can do a little bit of internet research to spot the types of action verbs commonly used on resumes within your industry.

Highlight achievements

Long lists of job duties on your resume only add to the bulk of the document. They don’t really add any value to your job application. When you want to impress potential employers, you must highlight professional achievements and accomplishments on your resume. Use quantified results to present your achievements in the best light for an interested hiring manager.

Finally, do a bit of proofreading

Don’t hand it over to the spelling and grammar checker of your browser and relax. Do several rounds of manual proofreading. You should take one or two hours away from your resume before proofreading the document. Be sure to check for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and formatting errors when you are proofreading. Getting a printout of the resume will help you be more accurate and faster during your proofreading process.

Want to make a lasting first impression on recruiters? Apply with a professionally written resume from Resume Mansion. Visit our website at www.resumemansion.com and grab your winning resume today!