September 10th, 2021 | Updated on June 28th, 2022
Do you want to secure an interview with a potential employer? The trick lies with your resume. How professional is it? Does it have information related to the job you are seeking? It is essential to note that hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes for job applications.
Therefore, if your resume has loads of errors, is confusing, or is difficult to read, most hiring managers will not have a second look at it. Instead, they will toss it into the trash can and proceed to the next resume.
That’s why your resume needs to be as professional as possible. If you are unsure what a professional resume should look like, continue reading this article.
Hiring managers are usually attracted to the best resume with a professional format. Do you want to secure that job that you have always admired? After reading this article, you will be able to improve your current resume into a more polished and professional one.
When writing a resume, formatting and consistency are critical. This means that if you choose to use bullets to outline some qualities in one section, you should use bullets when outlining other things throughout the resume.
Tips On How To Create A Professional Resume
Here are some tips that will boost your resume and ensure it has a professional organization of educational background and work experience.
1. Begin By Choosing The Perfect Type Of Resume
Choosing the best resume type may be tricky. However, if you understand your current personal situations, it becomes easier.
The best are functional, chronological, targeted, and combination resumes from the wide range of common types of resumes. Take your time to figure out which one is suitable for your situation.
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2. Use An Easy To Read Font Style And Size
If the font style on your resume is too complicated or too small, it becomes difficult to read. Use a simple, standard, and legible font style such as Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri to make your resume readable.
Additionally, to ensure the font size is not too small or too big, use a standard size ranging between 10 and 12.
Your resume should not contain block texts as they are discouraging to read. If you are delivering a hardcopy resume, print it on white or cream paper. Colored papers can distract the hiring manager from paying attention to your accomplishments.
3. Ensure You Use A Consistent Format
For your resume to have a professional look, it needs a consistent format. Therefore, if you choose to use bullets in one section to outline your achievements, you should point out other things throughout the resume using bullets.
Additionally, the bullet points should incorporate a similar format throughout the resume. For instance, if you use diamond bullets on one section, the remaining sections should also apply diamond bullets instead of circle bullets. Also, ensure that the font style and the font size are the same throughout your resume.
4. Create A Focused Mood In The Resume
Make sure your resume focuses on the attributes and skills that make you a qualified job seeker. Anything else that will not help you secure that dream job is not worth. It should therefore be brief, probably one or two pages, and to the point.
5. Keep It Updated
Go through your resume and include your most recent accomplishments. Also, regularly check to confirm that your education and working history are up to date. Updated resumes are easily noticeable.
6. Find A Template And Use It To Format Your Resume
Building a resume from a template needs you to research. You can apply the format of the template to guide you on what to include in your resume. Do not simply copy and paste. Customize it further, so it manifests your attributes.
7. Be Creative Enough
Your resume becomes unique and easily noticeable if you apply the best resume builder. The best resume builder should incorporate features such as infographics, add-ons, and links on your traditional resume. However, if you are not in a creative industry, you should not attempt this method.
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8. Apply Careful Editing
Carefully ensure that your resume is free from grammar and spelling mistakes. Building a resume like that needs you to review proofing guidelines. You can also ask someone close to identify any errors that you might have skipped.
9. Find Appropriate Assistance
Building a resume that is professional needs you to get help from a professional resume firm or a career counselor.
The purpose is to review your resume one more time before sending it to a potential employer. They ascertain that it is polished and professional, thus giving you the go-ahead. Alternatively, you can use a friend or a family member.
10. Consult A Resume Checklist
With the help of a resume checklist, ensure all the relevant information is available in the resume. When you are sure you have included everything, confidently send it.
Final Thought
Building a resume requires a lot of hard work. However, if you are in the creative industry, you can make the work easier by using the best resume builder.
We are confident that now you will perfect and polish your resume using the above tips to secure your dream job.
