I saw this article by Sugatha Menon on web, go through it if you want to improve your resume to Get that dream job!
Your resume is your passport to the job of your dreams. It’s the best example of a ‘first impression being the last impression’ Since you will be judged, questioned, accepted or rejected on the basis of these few sheets of paper, you jolly well make sure you get it right! Here are some tips that will help you in framing a perfect resume
1.Follow a sensible sequence: Your resume should start with personal information and then move on to academics and finally work experiences. Make sure of the right order. Don’t have personal information popping in the middle of experience. The information provided should be crisp, yet one that gives the prospective employer a fair idea about you. You could also give a very brief description of your experience right under your name, this is case of jobs that are advertised for large numbers. In such cases resumes will not be given too much attention, something like this will catch the employer’s attention and your resume could get selected.
2.Use graphics and colours: Graphics and colours especially if your desire is to get into a creative field will create a great impression. But there’s a catch here. It has to be superlative! The graphics and the use of colours you display on your resume will be akin to your work portfolio, a showcase of your talent. It can make or break you. So unless you are confident of showing your best, don’t attempt this one. Also do not go overboard. If the resume is too distracting it will fail to hold anyone’s interest.
3.Highlight your strengths: Don’t feel shy. Brag about your achievements. Your resume is your personal advertisement, you have to make it impressive. Highlight your achievements using ‘corporate speak’ Identify the key words in your line of work and use the words to make the right impression. But be crisp, don’t go beyond 4-5 lines. You got to save some answers for the interview too! If you are a fresher, restrict your resume to a page or two at the most.
4.Be honest: Remember what you write in your resume can be verified easily, so don’t fall into the ‘lie’ trap. It will cost you your reputation! Have ready answers for everything mentioned in your resume, period of experience in your last job, pay, the person you worked under.
5.Have your goal/ambition listed in your resume: This will create a favourable impression about you as a person who thinks ahead. It is important here to see that your goals don’t sound selfish, include the interests of the company also in your goal.
6.Have impressive references don’t just list names, explain how they’ve influenced you: Make sure you give out the right numbers and also inform the references about them being on your resume so they are prepared to answer any questions about you. This is however not mandatory for all resumes. You could list references on a separate sheet and hand it over only in case you are asked for it.
7.Be smart: Understand and anticipate the needs of the company you are applying to and accordingly tweak your resume. If you have contacts in the industry, tap them for useful information.
8.Number game: Wherever possible quantify your experiences, budgets you’ve worked with, revenues you’ve brought in, number of products you’ve worked with. This will be effective in measuring your progress.
9.Make your resume action oriented: Use a lot of action verbs in your copy. Show yourself as a person who gets things done, who solves problems…Let your energy and drive show in your words.
10.Justify your expected salary: Be prepared for the question of why you ought to be paid what you ar asking for. So anticipate this while framing your resume and make sure it contains all the justification for the expected salary. Paint your achievements and abilities in the right shades.
11.Go through your resume several times: Make sure your resume is 100 per cent error free. Have it proofread several times by your friends to make sure the punctuations etc are in place. A resume with errors smacks of shoddiness.
Your resume is your passport to the job of your dreams. It’s the best example of a ‘first impression being the last impression’ Since you will be judged, questioned, accepted or rejected on the basis of these few sheets of paper, you jolly well make sure you get it right! Here are some tips that will help you in framing a perfect resume
1.Follow a sensible sequence: Your resume should start with personal information and then move on to academics and finally work experiences. Make sure of the right order. Don’t have personal information popping in the middle of experience. The information provided should be crisp, yet one that gives the prospective employer a fair idea about you. You could also give a very brief description of your experience right under your name, this is case of jobs that are advertised for large numbers. In such cases resumes will not be given too much attention, something like this will catch the employer’s attention and your resume could get selected.
2.Use graphics and colours: Graphics and colours especially if your desire is to get into a creative field will create a great impression. But there’s a catch here. It has to be superlative! The graphics and the use of colours you display on your resume will be akin to your work portfolio, a showcase of your talent. It can make or break you. So unless you are confident of showing your best, don’t attempt this one. Also do not go overboard. If the resume is too distracting it will fail to hold anyone’s interest.
3.Highlight your strengths: Don’t feel shy. Brag about your achievements. Your resume is your personal advertisement, you have to make it impressive. Highlight your achievements using ‘corporate speak’ Identify the key words in your line of work and use the words to make the right impression. But be crisp, don’t go beyond 4-5 lines. You got to save some answers for the interview too! If you are a fresher, restrict your resume to a page or two at the most.
4.Be honest: Remember what you write in your resume can be verified easily, so don’t fall into the ‘lie’ trap. It will cost you your reputation! Have ready answers for everything mentioned in your resume, period of experience in your last job, pay, the person you worked under.
5.Have your goal/ambition listed in your resume: This will create a favourable impression about you as a person who thinks ahead. It is important here to see that your goals don’t sound selfish, include the interests of the company also in your goal.
6.Have impressive references don’t just list names, explain how they’ve influenced you: Make sure you give out the right numbers and also inform the references about them being on your resume so they are prepared to answer any questions about you. This is however not mandatory for all resumes. You could list references on a separate sheet and hand it over only in case you are asked for it.
7.Be smart: Understand and anticipate the needs of the company you are applying to and accordingly tweak your resume. If you have contacts in the industry, tap them for useful information.
8.Number game: Wherever possible quantify your experiences, budgets you’ve worked with, revenues you’ve brought in, number of products you’ve worked with. This will be effective in measuring your progress.
9.Make your resume action oriented: Use a lot of action verbs in your copy. Show yourself as a person who gets things done, who solves problems…Let your energy and drive show in your words.
10.Justify your expected salary: Be prepared for the question of why you ought to be paid what you ar asking for. So anticipate this while framing your resume and make sure it contains all the justification for the expected salary. Paint your achievements and abilities in the right shades.
11.Go through your resume several times: Make sure your resume is 100 per cent error free. Have it proofread several times by your friends to make sure the punctuations etc are in place. A resume with errors smacks of shoddiness.
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