BUILD A PROFESSIONAL RESUME
What is a resume?
A resume is a formal summary of your qualifications, professional background, skills and achievements. The term "resume" comes from "résumé," the French word for "to summarize." Most resumes consist of sections that detail your professional summary, work history, skills, awards, education and any other accomplishments that align with your career path and goals.
Resumes, usually accompanied by customized cover letters, get sent to employers to determine your eligibility and qualifications for a job. Employers use resumes to get a deeper understanding of candidate skills, strengths and experience. Your resume is your first point of contact with the employer and sets the tone for subsequent steps such as the first interview, second interview, pre-screening and onboarding.
Related: The Purpose of a Resume: Uses for Job Applicants and Employers
Why is a resume important?
A resume is important because it helps to immediately display why you're a good fit for a job. In today's competitive market of professional jobs, a resume is usually a base requirement for moving forward in the interview process. Here are some reasons why you need a resume to get your next job. An effective resume:
1. Outlines your relevant skills and experience
A well-structured resume clearly highlights your most attractive skills and experience to potential employers. This allows them to move forward with the best candidate. It's important to make sure your most recent skills and experiences are reflected in your resume for this reason. A strong resume uses formatting elements like color, appropriate margins and design to ensure relevant work experience is shown in such a way that highlights achievements.
2. Displays the benefits you offer employers
More importantly, a resume shouldn't just offer skills and experience, it should tell employers what you bring to the company. For example, if you're leaving a sales position, instead of just saying that you are a "high performer," say you "achieved $250,000 of new media sales in one year". This allows employers to understand the value you bring to the company in quantifiable terms.
If you can use three or four achievements under each piece or relevant experience that offer verifiable metrics. Consider using numbers in your resume and phrases like increasing profit or reducing loss by 5%, growing a social media following by 1,500 users or increasing sales by 10%.
Related: How to Quantify Resume Accomplishments (With Examples)
3. Grabs the attention of employers
The part of the resume known as "above the fold"—usually the top quarter of the resume—is considered the most attention-grabbing. Make sure to include important summarized information above the fold in addition to your name and contact information. Another way you can get an employer's attention is to use a layout that allows for appropriate colors or images.
Some people will use a headshot portrait or personal logo to brand themselves to employers. If you have to print your resume, always make sure to use a resume paper stock that sticks out. There are a lot of options to choose from, so pay attention to industry standards when deciding on paper.
Related: How to Write a Resume Employers Will Notice
4. Matches you to the position
A good resume matches your skills to the position's needs. One way to do this is by making sure your resume contains the same keywords found in the job description.
For example, if the job description asks for "knowledge of JSON" make sure to include "JSON" on your resume. By doing this, employers will be able to filter what makes you good for the position. If submitting your resume electronically, some companies auto-sort by keywords. To ensure your resume is seen, you should pay attention to them.
Related: How to Use Keywords and Phrases in Your Resume
5. Can lead to an interview
Ultimately, a good resume is going to allow you to move forward to the next step in the process: interviewing. You'll likely need to conduct at least one interview to be offered a position, so having a resume is essential.
Related: How To Make an Online Resume
A resume is a formal summary of your qualifications, professional background, skills and achievements. The term "resume" comes from "résumé," the French word for "to summarize." Most resumes consist of sections that detail your professional summary, work history, skills, awards, education and any other accomplishments that align with your career path and goals.
Resumes, usually accompanied by customized cover letters, get sent to employers to determine your eligibility and qualifications for a job. Employers use resumes to get a deeper understanding of candidate skills, strengths and experience. Your resume is your first point of contact with the employer and sets the tone for subsequent steps such as the first interview, second interview, pre-screening and onboarding.
Related: The Purpose of a Resume: Uses for Job Applicants and Employers
Why is a resume important?
A resume is important because it helps to immediately display why you're a good fit for a job. In today's competitive market of professional jobs, a resume is usually a base requirement for moving forward in the interview process. Here are some reasons why you need a resume to get your next job. An effective resume:
1. Outlines your relevant skills and experience
A well-structured resume clearly highlights your most attractive skills and experience to potential employers. This allows them to move forward with the best candidate. It's important to make sure your most recent skills and experiences are reflected in your resume for this reason. A strong resume uses formatting elements like color, appropriate margins and design to ensure relevant work experience is shown in such a way that highlights achievements.
2. Displays the benefits you offer employers
More importantly, a resume shouldn't just offer skills and experience, it should tell employers what you bring to the company. For example, if you're leaving a sales position, instead of just saying that you are a "high performer," say you "achieved $250,000 of new media sales in one year". This allows employers to understand the value you bring to the company in quantifiable terms.
If you can use three or four achievements under each piece or relevant experience that offer verifiable metrics. Consider using numbers in your resume and phrases like increasing profit or reducing loss by 5%, growing a social media following by 1,500 users or increasing sales by 10%.
Related: How to Quantify Resume Accomplishments (With Examples)
3. Grabs the attention of employers
The part of the resume known as "above the fold"—usually the top quarter of the resume—is considered the most attention-grabbing. Make sure to include important summarized information above the fold in addition to your name and contact information. Another way you can get an employer's attention is to use a layout that allows for appropriate colors or images.
Some people will use a headshot portrait or personal logo to brand themselves to employers. If you have to print your resume, always make sure to use a resume paper stock that sticks out. There are a lot of options to choose from, so pay attention to industry standards when deciding on paper.
Related: How to Write a Resume Employers Will Notice
4. Matches you to the position
A good resume matches your skills to the position's needs. One way to do this is by making sure your resume contains the same keywords found in the job description.
For example, if the job description asks for "knowledge of JSON" make sure to include "JSON" on your resume. By doing this, employers will be able to filter what makes you good for the position. If submitting your resume electronically, some companies auto-sort by keywords. To ensure your resume is seen, you should pay attention to them.
Related: How to Use Keywords and Phrases in Your Resume
5. Can lead to an interview
Ultimately, a good resume is going to allow you to move forward to the next step in the process: interviewing. You'll likely need to conduct at least one interview to be offered a position, so having a resume is essential.
Related: How To Make an Online Resume
Start with a Cover Letter
When you’re applying for a job, a cover letter lets you show a personal side and demonstrate why hiring you is a smart decision. Cover letters should be around three paragraphs long and include specific examples from your past experience that make you qualified for the position.
A cover letter should include the following parts:
The following cover letter samples and examples will show you how to write a cover letter for many employment circumstances. Browse cover letters by job title for inspiration. (Get more cover letter tips and advice).
A cover letter should include the following parts:
- Header
- Salutation
- Introduction
- Body paragraph
- Closing paragraph
- Letter ending and signature
The following cover letter samples and examples will show you how to write a cover letter for many employment circumstances. Browse cover letters by job title for inspiration. (Get more cover letter tips and advice).