A good resume must highlight your achievements and skills. Use bullet points and active verbs. Also include a core skills section. Make sure your resume stands out from other candidates. In addition to the CV, you should include a cover letter. In this letter, you should highlight the reasons the employer should hire you.
Using active verbs
Using action verbs in your resume is a great way to highlight your skills and achievements. However, you should be careful not to overdo it. Action verbs should be used sparingly and in the active voice. They should also be supported by quantifiable data. It is best to use them in the key sections of your resume.
Action verbs guide the reader and keep them interested. They can also change the way a potential employer sees you. By using active verbs, your accomplishments will stand out more than passive statements. They can help the hiring manager envision how you will perform in a particular job role.
Use active verbs in your resume to show that you have analyzed your potential job position and are interested in the specifics of it. You can highlight your achievements in action verbs like “outperformed KPIs by 10%.” Verbs can also be used as synonyms. When using action verbs, ensure that they match the type of job you’re applying for.
Using action verbs in your resume will help you beat the competition. When compared to passive verbs, action verbs force your readers to pay attention. This will allow you to leapfrog ahead of the pack and make the best first impression.
Using a bullet point system
When writing a resume, you can use a bullet point system to structure it. The idea is to make it easier for hiring managers to scan your resume. To do this, place your most important points at the top. These might include your biggest responsibility or your greatest accomplishment within a role. Then, order your bullet points so they flow in a logical order.
There are several styles of bullet point, but the most effective is a performance-based bullet point. This format uses the Action-Number-Method pattern and includes an action that shows a change in a state, a specific objective numerical value, and a method to describe the change. These bullet points will highlight your skill and tell a complete story to the hiring manager. They will be able to determine how much contribution you’ll be able to make in the future based on your past performance, and they will have a better understanding of your attitude.
Bullet point systems work well for summarizing duties and responsibilities. You can use these to quantify your work and the impact it had on the company’s overall success. Use the PAR formula to create effective bullet point systems for your resume.
Including a core skills section
The skills section on your resume should highlight the abilities you possess to excel in the role you are applying for. Employers pay special attention to this section of a resume. These skills are usually listed in the work experience and education sections. These sections should contain no more than 3-5 entries.
Key skills should be listed in single words or short phrases. They can include things like customer journey optimisation, financial planning, stakeholder engagement and project management. However, it is important to note that these skills don’t require a full-on description. Save the detailed descriptions for the career history section.
When writing a resume with skills, make sure to include both hard and soft skills. Hard skills are those required by a specific job, while soft skills are transferable to other fields. Communication skills are an excellent example of a soft skill because they can be applied to many different jobs. Other skills include leadership and delegation skills. These skills are necessary for a successful manager to handle a team of professionals.
Every industry has its own set of skills, and the skills you need are unique. When building a CV, it’s important to consider your skills, and prioritize those that will be most relevant to the job description. A good approach is to list your skills in order of importance, then match them with the skills required by the job description.
Avoiding cliches
Avoiding cliches when writing t your resume is a key way to impress employers. Cliches are overused words and phrases that have no real meaning. They include classic phrases and modern jargon. They are often used to fill space and sound important. To avoid cliches, you need to be aware of what you’re writing and what your audience is looking for.
One of the best ways to avoid using cliches in your writing is to put it aside for 24 hours before you read it again. This will help you catch any typos or cliches that you may have overlooked. Another great way to avoid using cliches in your resume is to read it aloud to a friend or colleague. Having someone else read it will help you spot typos, unnecessary padding, and overly complicated sentences.
Including a cover letter
When writing a cover letter, remember to address it to the specific person who will be reading it. This will increase the likelihood of receiving a response. While you can use a general greeting, it is best to use the company’s name and contact details.
Include the name of the company and job role you are applying for, along with the reference number on the job posting. Often, companies will be recruiting for multiple roles at once, and a cover letter is one way to stand out. Be creative with your introduction, and include relevant anecdotes, facts, or quotes. It’s also helpful to consider the hiring manager’s perspective.
A cover letter is generally one to two pages long and lays out general information about the applicant. It provides contact details, educational and professional qualifications, work experience, and a career goal. While a cover letter does not include all the details of a resume, it should complement the resume and attract the attention of the employer.
When writing a cover letter, remember to emphasize the skills and attributes you’re trying to showcase. Try to demonstrate a clear connection between your skills and the job description. It also helps to highlight any notable achievements and extracurricular activities you’ve had.