How to Buff Up a Resume?

Answer 1

With the rough economy and competition for jobs of every type, a strong resume will help you stand out of the crowd and help land an interview for your dream job. Buff up your resume with these helpful hints.

The Proof is in the Objective

Aside from your name and contact information, the objective is the first thing an employer sees when reviewing your resume. Use this one line to shine as much as possible by being as specific as possible about what type of employment you are seeking and why. A strong objective should be between 25 and 35 words.

Place Relevant Info Up Top

If your resume is crowded with work experience and education, revise it so that your most relevant work experience is at the top. This makes reading your resume easier for employers.

Focus on the Numbers

Be sure to be specific about the number of tasks completed at previous jobs on your resume. Avoid words such as, “some,” “a few” and “multiple.” Instead, state the exact number of accomplishments you’ve met and exceeded. For example, if you’ve previously worked as a newspaper reporter, say, “wrote 25 news articles and feature stories” instead of, “wrote some articles.”

Use Active Verbs

Verbs are actions words and, therefore, should be packed with power. Impress prospective employers by using verbs on your resume that display your motivation to work as well as your good linguistic skills. Some strong, active verbs for resumes include words such as “administered,” “attained,” “contracted,” and “designed.”

Include Volunteer Experience

Having previous volunteer experience shows employers that you aren’t just fiscally motivated - it also shows them that you care about your community and take pride in giving back. If you have space on your resume, consider including some past volunteer experience highlighting your positive contributions to your local area.

Get Field Specific

If you have a plethora of job experience and are applying for employment in a specific career field, consider only including job information relevant to that area. For healthcare jobs, only include when you worked as a hospital volunteer or as a nursing aid. But when applying for temporary summer employment, include retail and fast food experience. Tailor your resume for each individual position. Employers will appreciate the customization.

Get Rid of the Unnecessary

Doing regular maintenance on your resume will save you time in the future. Remove any unnecessary information like high school extracurriculars and awards, and old job experience. Keep in mind that resumes should be no longer than a page, so use this as a measurement of what should and should not be included in your resume in order to land the job you’re looking for.