10 Tips for Creating a Perfect Resumee

Are you looking for a job or want to take on new responsibilities? It's time to revisit your resume and make it as appealing as possible. Give your application a boost and catch the eye of a recruiter in less than 6 seconds. Here are 10 tips to make your application irresistible.

 

Choose the right keywords

If you are applying via recruitment platforms, select the right keywords according to the position you are applying for. LinkedIn and some human resources systems use them to sort applications more quickly. To find the keywords that will hit the mark, look at positions similar to the one you are applying for, and compare their wording. Find the 5 technical words that best qualify your skills and list them clearly.

Highlight your skills that are relevant to the position

Your resume is not set in stone. It evolves according to your jobs, your tasks, and the courses you complete. It is a valuable marketing tool that should help you sell yourself more effectively. Depending on the position you are applying for, choose your most representative skills and specify them in the application to show that you are a perfect fit for the job. If the job requires interpersonal skills, put emphasis on tasks where you have managed teams. If, on the other hand, the job requires creativity, highlight instances where you have demonstrated your talent for devising marketing operations.

Keep it short and sweet

No one is doubting your qualities, but learn to incorporate them effectively by remembering that a recruiter devotes roughly 6 seconds to the reading of a resume. So, be brief and concise to grab their attention immediately and pass the first test. Keep your resume down to one page, especially if you're young. For seniors, two pages are tolerated. For students starting in the workforce, indicate your internships or jobs related to the position to be filled.

Keep it simple

Unless you are applying for a position as a graphic designer or creator who uses tools such as InDesign, keep your presentation simple. Ideally, it should reflect your personality. Choose a font that is easy to read. Avoid fonts that are too original and avoid traditional fonts such as Colibri or Garamond. Instead, opt for more modern fonts such as Verdana or Oswald, which you can find on Google Fonts. What applies to the font also applies to the layout. It should remain clear and light. Put yourself in your reader's shoes, they will be grateful.

Don't ignore the "Interests" section

Recruiters draft an ideal profile so they can find exactly the kind of person they want more easily. That said, the "interests" or " hobbies" section is drawing more and more attention, nowadays. It often says a lot about a candidate's personality. For example, in the 70s, IBM recruited women who were interested in knitting! So, what is the connection between the profession of developer and jacquard knitting? The ability to memorize or follow a logical diagram. Likewise, if you like team sports or are a team captain, it is clear that you have the qualities to work with others to achieve a goal.

Eliminate spelling mistakes

It may seem obvious to you to remember this basic rule, but it is vital that you avoid any spelling mistakes in your resume. This is a major reason to reject a resume. Push perfectionism to the point of punctuating your text correctly. Your document must be perfect in terms of presentation and spelling. Allow a few hours to pass before proofreading your document. Don't hesitate to ask your family and friends for help. They will have an outside perspective and a fresh look on your resume.

Focus on the top of your resume

Surveys conducted among recruiters have revealed the most striking areas in a resume. The first half of the document is consulted first. Given the average time spent on an application, it is this part that you should pay particular attention to. The layout should prioritize this part, starting with your most recent professional activities. Students with little experience should highlight their academic background and degrees before mentioning their activities or internships in companies. On the other hand, seniors or people with a very comprehensive professional background should use the opposite approach. They will first present their professional experience and finish by mentioning their studies.

Choose the right document format

Send your resume in PDF format. Pay particular attention to the name of the file. The recruiter who consults it will save it in turn. It will be easier for them to find it if you give it a clear name. An application named "Resume Durand" or "Resume Recruitment" has a good chance of ending up in the bowels of their PC whereas if you name it "Resume - Amélie Fournier - Marketing Internship" they will be able to spot it immediately. Lastly, don't forget to update all your personal details so that they can contact you by phone or email.

Do not lie

Lying or improving one's resume by exaggerating the length of work experience can happen to anyone. The majority of HR Directors know very well that they are often looking at fake or slightly exaggerated resumes. This does not prevent them from recruiting a person if he or she perfectly matches the profile they are looking for. Lengthening the amount of experience to cover a hole in one's career path isn't the end of the world. But pretending to have a diploma or a certain level of skills and training can be detrimental. Especially since it is easy for them to verify qualifications with the tools they have at their disposal.

Give yourself a title

Do not submit an application without giving a title to your position. It describes what you want to do, your qualifications, and summarizes your professional project. It enables the HR Director to cross-reference your skills and know-how with their needs. If you are applying for a job found on a recruitment site, simply take the title of the job posting and respond accordingly.

Now to your pens and keyboards. We wish you all the best.