1. Pinpoint What Your Dream Job is

The first step to moving towards your dream job is to identify what your dream job actually is and why. It sounds obvious to say, but Simon Royston, Founder and Managing Director of the recruitment agency, The Recruitment Lab, says doing so is vital to your post-graduation success. “If you don’t have a goal to aim for then guess what; you won’t hit it,” he says.

“We live in a world where those entering the job market are almost spoilt for choice in terms of the job titles they could apply for. The earlier you identify what you want to do the easier it will be to reach it.”

Royston advises that by deciding early enough that you want to work in a certain role or industry, you will obtain a number of significant advantages. For example, he shares that you will be able to ensure you study the right courses, search for an internship, or land unpaid work experience.

2. Start Researching Early

Darko Jacimovic, a Career Expert and Co-Founder of the career and education guide, WhatToBecome, agrees that putting in the hard work while still in college will make a considerable difference in your efforts to land your dream job. “Fresh graduates who wait to complete the university in order to start looking for opportunities may have difficulties landing a dream job,” he points out.

“However, those who start researching during the senior year have a much higher chance of making significant contacts and potentially receiving offers before graduation.”

To put your research to good use, Jacimovic encourages college students to send a resume and a letter of interest to their dream companies ahead of time. “It never hurts, and even if it doesn’t bring a job straight away, it shows initiative and may serve a good signal to hiring managers.”

3. Get a Helping Hand

If you’ve been having trouble putting your resume together, there’s no shame in getting a helping hand. In fact, getting some expert guidance will help put you ahead of candidates whose resumes look unprofessional and lack key components. That’s why the Founder of the go-to online resume builder, Resume Build, strongly recommends using an HR-approved resume builder.

“Our resume builder has been developed in consultation with resume experts, such as HR managers and recruiters,” he shares. “Creating your resume with a resume builder will not only ensure that it is correctly and professionally formatted, it will also guarantee that it includes the most critical resume components hiring managers are looking for.”

The beauty of using a resume builder is that you can select from a range of templates and customize your chosen one according to your needs. Moreover, if you’re having trouble filling out your resume or presenting yourself in the best light, you can even select from a range of pre-written examples that will be automatically added to your resume.

4. Brevity is Key

It can be tempting to stuff your resume full of every academic and professional achievement that you’ve had to date. The more you have on your resume, the bigger the impression you’ll make, right?

This is precisely the approach Jon Hill, CEO of energy industry focused staffing and management firm, The Energists, warns against. “I look for brevity in resumes—it’s an underrated quality,” he says. “I’m not looking to hire the person who submits a 500-page novel that outlines everything they’ve done in their life. I want to hire the person who can tell me what makes them a valuable asset in as few words as possible.”

Hill explains that given the hiring process takes a lot of time and costs a lot of money, keeping your resume short shows employers that you understand business and respect their time. It’s for this reason he says he spends “a lot more time with 1-page resumes than with 2 or 3-pagers.”

5. Start Networking & Utilize Free Resources

Competing against more qualified candidates can feel like a losing game. However, if you start networking and making use of free resources, the President of the career coaching service, MJW Careers, Matthew Warzel (CPRW) (CIR), says that you’ll put yourself in the best position you could possibly be in.

“Start networking online and utilizing free resources like local career coaches, collegiate career centers, recruiters and government-sponsored career resource centers,” he advises.

“Get your name out there in your targeted area, because you never know who might pass your information along to someone hiring.” Warzel also emphasizes the importance of working hard no matter the role, and continually pursuing your dream job while picking up skills and credentials along the way.

6. Interview Experts in Your Chosen Industry

A unique insider tip John Paul Engel, the Founder of the boutique management consulting firm, Knowledge Capital Consulting, offers is to conduct a research project by interviewing professionals who are currently working in your dream job. He explains that it’s best to set out to interview at least two people a week.
So what exactly should you ask them? Engel says it comes down to three questions:

1. How did you get in this career?: This origin story will help your interviewee remember being in your position when starting out.

2. What have you learned that helped you be successful?: By asking this, you will learn something that cost them pain or money, and also give them kudos at the same time.

3. What can a student like myself do to prepare for this career?: This question works as a soft ask for help.

7. Show Initiative

Reuben Yonatan, Founder and CEO of the VoIP service provider, GetVoIP, says that the number one thing he looks for as a CEO when it comes to young job applicants is initiative. “Every resume I see has stellar academic qualifications. I want to see that you have done some kind of real work in your chosen field.”

“If you’re a developer, have you volunteered on open-source projects? Can I see a project of yours on GitHub that’s being used by other people? If you’re a marketer, do you have YouTube videos or a humorous Twitter account with a few thousand followers that you’ve built over the last couple of years?”

It’s examples like these of showing initiative that Yonatan says show him that you know more than just what you learned in class, as well as the fact that you’re serious about this career path and about taking the initiative to develop your skills. “I’ll take someone who demonstrates initiative over someone with a high GPA just about every time.”

8. Create a Personal Website

Another easy way to make you stand out amongst other college graduates is to make a personal website. “First things first, you need to make yourself into a professional,” advises Nate Masterson, the HR Manager of the holistic beauty company, Maple Holistics. “You might be a fresh graduate, but if you look like you’ve been in the field for a while, employers are more likely to take you seriously.

If you’re worried about having minimal experience to your name, don’t let that discourage you. Masterson reassures college students that they don’t need to have years of experience to create an eye-catching personal website. “Whether it’s a blog or a standalone page, use your website to create a portfolio of your current work so that employers can see beyond your resume.”

1. Why Networking Provides Such Great Opportunities

Networking events allow you the opportunity to meet people who work at companies you’re interested in, or who work in the industry you’re trying to break into. In fact, recent studies have shown that nearly 80% of jobs are filled via networking and networking events. The people you meet will be able to shed light on the pros and cons of the industry. You may find that your dream job isn’t that dreamy at all, but that another job within the same industry might fit your needs and personality much better. Better yet, the relationships formed at these events (and through communication after the event) can help you find new ways to introduce yourself and your resume to the people who could hire you for your dream job. Instead of constantly sending out resumes and cover letters to unknown entities, you’ll be able to contact people you know, or people who are connected to your new networking connections. Networking is a great way to get your foot in the door and can make your job search so much easier.

2. The Best Way to Get Your Resume into the Hands of Your Contacts

It may be tempting to offer your resume right away when you meet a new contact in your industry of choice. However, this is not considered networking – it’s considered asking for a job, and that is not the purpose of a networking event. When you attend this type of event, focus on meeting new people, building relationships, helping others, and creating credibility. This isn’t to say, though, that you shouldn’t have copies of your resume with you. After all, you never know how one of these events will go. You may hit it off really well with some of your contacts. In which case, they may ask for your resume. The main focus of the event for you should be to get information and referrals. So, if you end the evening without giving anyone a resume, but you have a handful of referrals – it’s been a success! These referrals will give you direction when you continue on with your job search the next day. You’ll have a better idea of who to approach and where to send your resume and cover letter.

3. Utilize a Resume Builder to Create the Ideal Resume

Before you even attend a networking event, make sure you have a resume that wows! An online resume creator provides you with resume templates and resume examples that will help you to create a resume that shows off your skills, personality, and experience. Together, a fantastic resume and network connections can help you get your foot in the door to land your dream job.

Building Your Resume – Academic Experience Counts Up to a Point

After spending years in the classroom learning your trade, it would seem like that should count for something, right?

In some cases it does – but not all of them.

School can only teach you so much. What you learn there is basically an outline. Getting a job in your industry will start to fill in the details. In other words, you will come across situations on the job that were never even touched upon in school.

Going through those experiences and dealing with on-the-job issues successfully are what employers are looking for when they review the “job experience” portion of a resume.

So, if you come across a job you’re interested in and the company wants someone with four years of job experience, you’re likely not going to get the job if all you bring to the table is your education.

However, if, in addition to your education, you have a list of extracurricular activities, charity work, or internships within the field where you’re looking for a job – these might count toward job experience.

Another way you might get a job that requires a lot of experience is to work at an entry level position for at least one year. At the end of that year, if you have one year of job experience and four years of college experience, employers who want years of job experience may consider you.

The important thing about your resume is to put down all relevant job experience: internships, volunteer work, etc. Though you may not have the exact amount of job experience required, your combined years in school and experience may very well intrigue potential employers.

A Resume Builder Makes Creating Your Resume So Much Easier

While you may not have the job experience you wish you had at this point, that doesn’t mean that you’re doomed to failure. There is a very good chance that you can make a great first impression with a stunning resume.

Some employers will skip down to the “job experience” section and base their decision solely on that one aspect of an applicant’s resume. Others, though, are willing to dig a little deeper. They want to see what an applicant has been up to, how they use their time, what extracurricular activities they’ve been drawn to, and what they were able to achieve during their college career.

Using a resume creator to build a thorough and eye-catching resume is a great way to attract a potential employer.

A Recap of the Basics – What to Include On Your Resume

The first thing you need to do is make sure you have all of the necessary basics on your resume.

When using a resume creator, don’t forget to add these essentials.

• Contact information – address, phone number, and email address
• Website and social media links
• Job experience
• Education
• Certifications, licenses, educational honors, and other achievements.

Another thing to keep in mind: relevant keywords. According to BusinessInsider.com, a lot of companies use resume scanning software. If a resume doesn’t contain keywords from the employer’s job listing, your resume could get tossed. Of course, you don’t want it to look like you randomly just copied and pasted bits and pieces of their listing. Use their keywords to enhance your resume.

3 Key Features to Make Your Resume Stand Out From the Competition

The next step to take to stand out is to add these three features to the body of your resume.

1. Special Skills or Experience

Qualifying for a job doesn’t just depend on job experience or education within the field or industry you want to work in. Many people have experience in other fields. The experience or skills gained in one industry can help you succeed in another.

For example, let’s say you worked in as a dental hygienist for a number of years but decide to change your career and become a social worker. The education gained in dental hygiene school will definitely be a plus. But so will your hands on, one-on-one interactions with a variety of patients.

These skills can show a future employer that you know how to successfully communicate interpersonally and that you likely have a lot of compassion for those you help.

2. Personal Qualities

In this section, you can list the things that make you tick, what brings joy to your life. It’s a way for the employer to get to know you as an individual. Don’t weigh your resume down too much here, but you can add relevant interests and hobbies to this section.

3. Volunteer Work

In the eyes of some employers, volunteer work can count toward job experience. Plus, it shows them that you’re a hard worker and are willing to go above and beyond for the greater good. In this section, anything from faith-based volunteering to being a volunteer kids’ soccer coach can be added.

A Resume Builder That Will Help You Stand Out

In addition to adding all of the relevant information to your resume, you’ll want to create one that is visually stunning, appealing, and/or otherwise eye-catching. With a custom resume builder, you can use resume templates and resume examples to create a unique resume that will fit your needs. You’ll have no problem creating a resume that will get you noticed.

Your resume is a great tool to get prospective employees interested in hiring you or, at the very least, interested in scheduling an interview with you.

But your resume can do more than that. You can use your resume to help you prepare for a successful interview, thereby having a better chance of landing your dream job.

Step One: Use Resume Templates to Build the Best Resume Possible

Of course, before you can even hope to have a successful interview, you have to capture the attention of your prospective employer. The best way to do this is with an amazing resume.

Trying to create your own resume from scratch can be daunting and frustrating.

Instead, try using a resume creator. An online resume builder utilizes tried-and –tested resume templates that have grabbed the attention of many employers.

Step Two: Use Your Resume to Practice For a Successful Interview

The next step to take is to use your resume as an interview template or outline. Here are three ways to accomplish that.

• Use your resume to build a story: On a job interview, your interviewer doesn’t want you to spew a bunch of facts and figures. They already have access to that information. It’s these facts and figures that attracted them to you in the first place.

At this point, you want to build a story around that information. What about the information makes you right for the job? What has your experience taught you and how will that benefit your employer?

• Get to know the industry: As you created your resume, hopefully you used keywords from the job listing to ramp up the effectiveness of your resume. In doing so, you had to research the job, the company, and the industry as a whole. In doing this, you’ve gained valuable knowledge that will help you show a potential employer how valuable you will be to their company.

• Use your resumes to come up with questions for the interviewer: Don’t forget that you’re interviewing the company as well. That means you get to ask questions. Not only will this give you valuable information and help you determine if you want to work with them, it will show the interviewer that you’re driven and curious – great qualities for any employee to have.

It All Starts with a Great Resume Template

An attention-grabbing resume that can help you land an interview and successfully complete your interview can be yours with a custom resume builder. A resume creator uses resume examples and templates to help you create a resume that will help you take the first step to landing your dream job – snagging that interview!

Once you have the interview scheduled, prepare for your interview using your resume or other resume examples. These templates give you an example of what employees are looking for and what questions they might be asking.

Put in some practice using your resume or other resume examples and you’ll be one step closer to a successful interview.

When using a resume builder, you’re likely thinking about how to use the resume templates to create a resume that will land you an interview. But if you do things the right way, your resume will also help you stand out during your job interview, too.

Grab Their Attention Right From the Start

Before you can schedule an interview, you’ve got to get their attention in the first place. Employers receive tens, hundreds, and even thousands of resumes.

Because of this, they tend to scan resumes. They look for the information that’s relevant to their needs. If your resume isn’t well-structured and organized, or if it doesn’t have applicable information, they could end up tossing your resume– even if you’re an ideal candidate.

Don’t let this happen to you! Use a resume builder with resume templates that have a proven track record. Add keywords from the job listing to catch the reader’s eye. And make all pertinent information easy to find.

How Your Resume Can Help You Stand Out During an Interview

Using an online resume builder helps you organize your thoughts. You probably have a lot of information you want to share with prospective employers, but only so much can go on your resume.

And that’s ok, because you can use your resume to prepare for your interview. All of that information you want to share – make notes as you create your resume. Then, when the interview comes around, you’ll be well-prepared to answer questions and show them why you’re relevant to their company.

Another way preparing your resume helps you in the interview is because it forces you to thoroughly research the company. You know how your skills and knowledge will be of value to the company based on that. And when you’re being interviewed, you can draw attention to that, which will really impress your interviewer.

One recommendation of many recruiters and online resume builder companies is to add hobbies and interests to your resume. This may seem like fluff, and it can be if you add too much of it. But this information shows just what an interesting human being you are. Why is that important?

It’s important because the person conducting the interview is human, and you’ll need to create a rapport with them. If they find your hobbies and interests intriguing (or, better yet – if they have the same ones), you’ll definitely stand out from the other job applicants.

An Online Resume Builder Goes Beyond Helping You Get an Interview

The goal of an online resume creator company is not just to help employees build a resume that will attract enough attention to get an interview. Rather, the goal is to help employees land the job. A resume builder will help organize information utilizing resume templates and resume examples.

The way your job experience, education, and accomplishments are arranged will get employers interested in setting up an interview. It will also help keep their attention throughout the interview process.

And when you’re able to keep their attention, you’re sure to stand out from the competition.

If you want to be successful, studying the practices of successful people is a good strategy.

For the career-minded individual, having a quality resume is a top priority. Since creating a great resume can be such a challenge, many people find themselves relying on resume examples.

Basing your resume off someone else’s example isn’t necessarily a bad idea. While it can help you list your credentials in a better way and tighten things up, it can also lead to you emulating a style that isn’t fitting for your professional status. Here are the pros and cons of using resume examples.

The Pros: Speed, Efficiency, and Insight

Using resume examples means you have something to go off of. The first benefit of this choice is that it speeds things along. Starting out with a blank document is usually a path to hours of frustration unless you’re a seasoned expert at building resumes.

Examples can be used as guides or even as templates to help you learn how to organize your credentials in a professional-looking manner. If you get a high-quality resume to go off of, you’ll also see how achievements are prioritized to keep things concise and get to the important things quickly.

Learning how professionals organize their resumes helps you alter your practices in the future. With improved insight into this important aspect of the career search, it is easy to improve your status. However, adhering too closely to examples can cause you to pick up some bad habits.

The Cons: Not All Professionals Are Equal

For some people, the design of their resume is based in influenced by their credentials. For example, a person with multiple degrees would have a larger field for their educational achievements.  Their field of choice may also impact their choice to use a certain layout or template.

If you don’t have the same level of credentials as the example you’re going off of, or if the example is based on a different field, you may find a lot of things get lost or turn out questionable when you try to adapt your own resume based off the example.

This doesn’t mean you can’t use the example – it just means you may need to tweak it. Don’t be lured into thinking your resume must look exactly like that of someone else. Templates should serve only as guides, and to help you achieve your unique career aspirations and highlight your own skillset for employers.

People from all walks of life know about the highs and lows of the career search.

Whether it is a seasoned veteran closing in on a top position in their field or a recent graduate looking for any temporary job they can find, taking the right approach to resume creation is important for success.

A resume builder is a unique tool for professionals and job seekers who want to improve the look of their resume and get into career search quickly. Is a resume builder for everyone? Or is it tailored to people at a certain level in their professional life?

Three Different Types of Job Seekers

1. The Newcomer

For some people, the job search and the resume-creation process are both very new. If a person lacks experience in one or both of these areas, they may struggle to create a good-looking resume. For the newcomer, getting started is the hardest part.

2. The Professional

Professionals who are dedicated to their field can vary greatly in experience and credentials. These people don’t look for any job out there – instead, they focus their entire resume around a single field where they excel. The professional’s biggest challenge is quantifying their accomplishments to get to the bigger jobs.

3. The Expert

The term expert is often used loosely, but it can be safely given to those who have graduate degrees and decades of experience in their field of choice. The expert’s biggest concern is perfection. For the jobs they’re applying to, even the smallest mistake can sway a hiring manager in the direction of other applicants.

What Does a Resume Builder Offer?

Resume builders can vary, but most of them offer a few similar perks. They allow you to plug your information in and organize it using pre-made templates and style guides. This makes it easy to get your credentials into a layout that will accentuate them and catch a hiring manager’s attention.

Resume builders may also offer helpful tips and feedback to help people cover up employment gaps, highlight their skills, and achieve a breakthrough in their job search.

No matter how much experience a person has or where they are in their professional life, a good-looking resume with a consistent style is always an asset. A resume builder can be useful for almost any job seeker.

Technology has made it easy to streamline the creation of many documents, and resumes are no different. A resume creator can speed up the process for anyone looking to reorganize their credentials and make a better first-impression on hiring managers. This software solution makes it easy to import styles, sections, and graphics with ease. They also make it easy to stick with a singular font and spacing style if you choose. Maybe you’re switching over to a new resume creator, or maybe this is your first time ever using one of these handy tools. In either case, there are a few steps you can take to prepare.

Plan Ahead Before Using a Resume Creator

Making a resume is about having a long-term plan. Everyone’s plan is different depending on their career field of choice as well as the amount of credentials they have. Before using a resume creator, it is wise to gather up important information. This includes things like a list of educational achievements and previous employers. Everything from completed degree programs to detailed work accomplishments should be on hand, just in case you need it. Depending on how much space you have to work with, you may even include additional details about your classes or previous employment. Things like references, portfolio links, and licensing information will also be handy to have around when you’re creating your resume. Include contact information that makes it easy for employers to get in touch with you. If you’re not always reachable by one method, make sure they have a back-up.

Strive for Consistency Throughout the Process

Different resume creators offer different options, but keeping things consistent is a smart idea no matter what career field you’re in. While you may have much more to say about some of your previous jobs than others, try to spread the information out evenly if possible. While some creators have plenty of sections, it is good not to keep things simple. When you resist getting carried away and abstain from listing too much information, you’re able to keep things concise. A quality resume creator will make sure you have access to a variety of styles and options for listing your credentials and abilities. Though everyone’s taste may be different, consistency makes any resume look better.

Creating a good resume is an art and a science. It is a code many people have looked to crack for a long time.

The best practices for resume creation change constantly. However, some things remain consistent over time. One constant is the list of things employers look for when onboarding new talent.

When employers see you’ve made a difference, they will be more inclined to hire you. This means it is important to list the achievements you’ve had and helped deliver for previous employers, as well as the specific skills you used to do so.

Having the Right Mentality to Create a Resume

When many people create resumes, they focus heavily on formality to maintain a professional tone. This isn’t a bad thing, but it can sometimes lead to vague and uncompelling results.

Part of the problem is people don’t have the right mindset when creating a resume. More specifically, they don’t know what employers look for. The easiest way to figure this out is to think about what employees look for.

Even if a workplace is warm, nurturing, and great to look at, most people are interested in the benefits. Pay, insurance, and advancement opportunities are all the type of gains that drive people in their career search.

Likewise, employers like employees who have helped bring benefits to their previous employers. If a company expanded, onboarded new clients, or branched into another field while you were on the team, it is a good idea to list this information.  The next step is telling the person reading your resume how you helped contribute to those results.

Use Hard Skills to Complete Your Resume

Maybe it was your skills at data entry which helped companies gain new clients without losing any of the existing ones. Perhaps your diverse background helped an organization grow into a new field, or enter a new market. The skills you used should take priority on your resume.

Soft skills are the generic and largely common traits many people list. Examples include “fast learner” and “good listener.”

While these are certainly good traits, specific skills are much more valuable to employers. Hands-on experience with a particular type of equipment, or a background in a specific type of management would carry much more weight on any resume than soft skills.

By showing employers the specific skills you used to help previous employers improve their operations, you can easily make your resume more appealing.

If you’re creating a resume, you probably have a lot of ideas about the information you’d like to display. Even if you have great educational and field credentials, listing them in the appropriate manner is very important. Though some people may be well-versed in their field, designing a good-looking resume from scratch can be hard. Resume templates are a great solution to this problem. These resumes are pre-set with a theme and spaces for common information employers look for. You can take a lot of stress out of the creation process by starting with a solid template. You may also be able to speed things up significantly.

A Resume Template is Great for Professionals

If you’re like most professionals, you spend a lot of time looking over your resume to think about ways you can improve it. As you’re looking it over, you may notice small things that you don’t like. Uneven spacing, slight differences in font styles, and improper use of page space are all things that can be an eyesore for you – or the person looking the resume over. Templates come preloaded with styles and sections already in place. This means all you need to do is plug in your information. You may choose to edit templates slightly if you feel comfortable enough doing so, or you may call on the help of resume professionals. In either case, making slight tweaks to existing templates is a lot quicker than starting from a blank page.

Accelerate and Improve Your Career Search

A resume template makes it easier for you to get your resume fully prepared and sent out to hiring managers. It also makes it easier when you want to update or modify your resume. Some people have plenty of skills and a solid education, but find their resume issues are slowing down their career search. If you’ve experienced this problem, a resume template can be a great way to speed things along and take the stress out of the process. People who put a lot of time into their resumes do so because they’re passionate professionals who want to excel in their field of choice. A resume template can take a lot of stress out of the equation, making it easier to pursue a new career with confidence. Regardless of your field or the depth of your credentials, there are plenty of popular templates you can use to find success in the job search.

If your resume is your first impression, your cover letter is your opening pitch.

Together these two professional documents present you, as a package, to a company. As such, they should work together seamlessly to present the best version of you possible.

According to our resume experts, here are the six situations when you can send a cover letter:

• The employer has requested a cover letter in the job advertisement
• You are applying on an online platform like ‘Indeed’ that asks for cover letters
• You are applying for a crazy competitive position
• You feel limited by your resume and want a tool to show your personality
• You want to show how badly you want the job
• When you want to explain a career transition

Your Resume and Cover Letter: An Unbeatable Team

Learn how your CV or work history can support your cover letter – and the other way around.

1. The Cover Letter Helps Explain and Expand on Your Resume

Your cover letter supports your work history and skills list by filling in the gaps.

If you have a choppy or spotty work history, your cover letter can fill those holes and explain why. If you accomplished some task or feat that makes you a shoe-in for the position, you can mention it on your resume, but go into detail in your cover letter.

These two documents work in tandem to provide a complete history and explanation of your career. If your trajectory has been unique, complicated, or interesting, you need the support of each.

2. Your Cover Letter Illustrates Your Investment in the Position

Your resume example shows off your prowess, but your cover letter supplements that by showing how you’ll apply it to the company.

You get to express your interest in the organization, your enthusiasm for the work, and how you can contribute to the team. Paired with your credentials, you can’t lose with this one-two punch – but only if you do it right.

 

3. Your Resume Shows – Your Cover Letter Tells

You spent long hours over a resume creator perfecting your information and presentation. You chose the right resume template and tweaked it. However, this document only shows what you have done – it doesn’t tell the story of why.

With a compelling, well-crafted cover letter, you get to complete the picture for your prospective employer. That’s a huge benefit for you. If you explain yourself well, the company will know right away whether you are a good fit for them.

Your Resume Is Nothing without Your Cover Letter

The most compelling case for including a cover letter in your application packet is simple. It steps in where a work history list cannot. It fills in the gaps and supports the information you can only show on a resume example.

Even if a hiring manager doesn’t ask for a cover letter, consider including one anyway. Even if it doesn’t get read, it helps you define exactly what you want from a job, preparing you for the next steps – like, for instance, an interview.

A resume builder may be the perfect tool for you. You might want to use one if:

• You aren’t computer-savvy.
• You aren’t familiar with formatting documents in a word processor.
• You don’t have lots of time to update your professional document.

A resume creator can help you create and edit your document easily and quickly in all these scenarios. However, if you just go through the motions with the software, a builder can spit out resumes that read like cookie-cutter templates. A hiring manager can spot these from a mile away. There is a way to use and enjoy the convenience and ease of a builder and come out with a highly personal, relevant document. Find out how.

How to Use a Resume Creator the Smart Way and Avoid a Generic First Impression

While using a resume builder correctly can help you create a very powerful resume, you can do even more with a little extra work. Here’s how to do it.

1. Enter Your Information as Usual

A resume builder presents you with fields to fill out versus a blank page. Enter all your information accurately. The builder will fill in a template automatically with all your details.

2. Choose Fonts and Colors

Make sure you don’t go with the default resume example. Instead, choose one that is well-organized and eye-catching. Then, take the time to pick out a simple font with accent colors that are easy to read. This helps differentiate you from a sea of other resumes drowning in Times New Roman.

3. Download the Document in an Editable Format

Once your resume template is filled out and complete, download the document in a format that is editable. Once downloaded, you should be able to open it in your word processing software of choice.

4. Edit!

Open the finished document. Save a copy to your hard drive, then go to town editing that copy. Rearrange sections, change header font sizes, and liven up the wording in descriptions of your skills and experience. Play around and make it yours. If you mess up the formatting or make an error, you can scrap your work, because you will still have the original document saved.

Stand Out from the Pack with Your Resume

Your resume is your first impression. You can’t ever take that back. Make sure you encourage a positive one and stand out. A resume builder can help you create a great resume. You can then take that resume and totally personalize it. Go the extra mile and you’ll come off as anything but generic.

For a hiring manager, the hordes of resumes can all start to blend together. It can be difficult to weed out good candidates when they all seem the same.

Make it easier on hiring managers and committees and ensure your document stands out. How? Add personal flair to your resume template in measured doses.

How to Stand Out and Make Your Resume Personalized

In a sea of generic resumes and standard credentials, you can easily stand out by tweaking your document. Personalize it in these ways with a resume builder and watch for lots of interview invitations to follow:

1. Make Each Piece of Information Relevant

Guess what? You don’t have to list every single job or skill-building opportunity you have ever had. If it’s not relevant to the position you are applying for, nix it.

A hiring manager would rather see a shorter resume that’s 100% relevant than a dense, three-page document that is only 50% relevant to the open position.

2. List the Most Pertinent Skills Up Top

Similarly, when you describe each position, describe it in terms of what the particular company wants to see. Do they want a team player with stellar communication skills? Emphasize how you excelled at this, and delete (or downgrade) the bullet points about your Microsoft Office skills.

3. Don’t Over-Exaggerate

When describing your skills, be honest and don’t over-exaggerate. Keep your language professional, crisp, and simple. Do not get flowery or cross into bragging territory. You are trying to show that you are the best fit for the job – not auditioning for an acting role in a workplace drama.

4. Tweak Your Resume Template

Chances are, the resume template you have chosen looks just like everybody else’s. In this case, tweak it to make it more relevant to both your experience and the job you are after.

For example, rearrange sections to emphasize your best skills as well as what the hiring manager is looking for. Rename sections based on your skills. For instance, a section titled “Communication” could be switched to “Writing and Editing” if those are your specific strong suits that appeal to what the company wants.

Be Real and Be You on Your Resume

To get noticed during the hiring process, you need to stand out. In a sea of generic resumes, you will have a better chance if you personalize your document and make it relevant.

Your resume is your first impression. It speaks for you to prospective employers. It’s a handshake, a pitch, an application, and a biography all rolled into one document.

Because it’s so important for getting hired, it needs to be right. This includes the format you choose to present your information.

Different industries have different expectations for formatting. Knowing the direction you need to go is the first step to building an impressive resume example with a resume creator.

3 Types of Resume Format

 

Each of the most common formats shows off your information differently. Consider your industry and experience when choosing the right one for you.

1. Chronological

A chronological resume example is one with which you are probably familiar. On it, you list your work history in reverse chronological order, with your most recent position at the top. From there, you go backward in history.

This type of format is used to show how you have progressed and grown in experience. It’s good if you seek a promotion. If you showcase your education first and include volunteer work and other skill-builders, it can be a good option if you are fresh to the workforce, too.

2. Functional

A functional resume example is quite different from a chronological format because it showcases skills, not work history. If your work history is choppy or you are changing careers, this type can emphasize your aptitude.

On the document, you create sections for each skill you want to highlight. For instance, one section might be titled “Leadership.” Underneath, you would list evidence of the leadership skills that you cultivated in various work or skill-building scenarios.

3. Combination

One downfall of the functional resume is it doesn’t present your work history fully. To make sure it’s included, you can combine aspects of both functional and chronological resumes in one document.

This may be your best bet if you are changing careers but have a solid work history. It’s also a creative option if you want to stand out from the pack by listing your skills first. You can delve into your accomplishments and reference your work history at the same time, which makes a compelling case for hiring you.

Choose the Resume Template That Suits Your Experience

In the end, the right resume will accurately reflect your work history, skills, and experience to the best advantage. Choose the one that suits you best and you are sure to get hired quickly.

Maybe you received some resume-writing instruction at some point in your education. Perhaps you took a class.

This is great, but think back. Despite any previous instruction, what do you really remember?

If you are like most people, probably not much. This is the number one reason you need to do some research before you sit down to write or edit your professional document with a resume builder.

Prepare to write your resume first, and you will end up with a better document – one that represents you better during the job searching process.

Prepare for Resume-Writing with Research

Doing your research before you write will help you stand out to potential employers as a well-prepared, competent candidate.

Here are a few key areas to research before you begin:

1. Research Resume Templates for Your Industry

Based on your industry, your document will look unique in regard to what you do. For instance, someone in sales will have a different resume template than someone in tech.

Before you send off your document, make sure you use a template that best displays your experience and education. Each industry has different formats tailored for the type of work and training required to advance. The right template for you will ensure that the employer sees the most important and relevant information first.

2. Research Each Company

Don’t send off a general document to every company. Instead, you need to research what each employer is looking for from candidates and cater your application materials to match.

This means addressing the hiring manager directly in your cover letter and highlighting skills the company is looking for in your supporting information.

3. Research Common Mistakes to Avoid

Careful research can also help you avoid mistakes that would make you a “pass” instead of placed at the top of the “yes” pile.

For instance, maybe the company specifically wants a long-form, academic-style CV instead of a regular resume. Naturally, if you send the latter, you will look like you aren’t good at following instructions. Do careful research about the company and their requirements so you can avoid easy mistakes like these.

Research Resume Examples and More to Get Noticed

Bottom line: If you want hiring managers to notice you, you have to do your research before you apply. Do some homework, update your resume template, and tailor your final document for the prospective employer. You’ll be sure to score an interview.

You wouldn’t buy a product online without first reading the product description. You want to know what you’re getting, and if it’s any good.

Similarly, when you write a resume, you shouldn’t neglect the objective. Some will argue that objectives are no longer needed, either because they are unnecessary and take up space, or because they are simply a thing of the past.

A good objective is one that highlights both your skills and your goals. A killer objective can often be enough to grab a hiring manager’s attention—but you have to do it right.

1. The Basics

A resume objective will contain a brief, one- to two- sentence statement of your career goals. When composed correctly, the most effective objective will be explicit about the specific job and type of employment desired. It will also include a succinct overview of how your skills or background make you the most qualified candidate.

2. Customize

Including an objective is, again, not a mandatory component of your resume. However, it can inform the employer that you’ve done your research. You have a clear idea of what you want, and aren’t just applying to every job that comes your way.

Make sure you customize the objective on your resume for each and every job to which you apply. Don’t make the mistake of sending off a resume to a job with an objective that has been tailored to another position. Although you can create a resume with a “blanket” objective if the positions to which you are applying are very similar, it is better to adjust each time. This way, you can make sure that you are selling yourself as precisely as possible.

3. Research

Use the job description to guide you. Pull important keywords from the posting and plug them into your objective, and be sure to connect the new job back to any prior experiences. An employer is dedicating time specifically to you by reading your resume, so make sure you take the time to thoroughly research the company to which you are applying. A good objective will contain a clear understanding of the company’s goals and background, as well as how you can fulfill the job description to best meet their needs.

Need Help with Objectives?

Objectives are tough to write, especially if you struggle with wordiness, or simply finding the rights words to sell yourself. If you’re worried about how to write an impactful objective for your resume, seek some help from outside sources. Have a friend proofread your objectives to see if you’re hitting the mark, or try a resume creator to convert your skills and career goals into a neat objective. Look at other resume examples for successful applicants in your field to see what kinds of objectives make them stand out.

You could also use a resume template. A template will take the stress out of building the rest of your resume and allow you to focus on how to best format your objective.

It can be difficult to find a first job when you’re right out of high school or college. Most jobs require experience, and to get experience, you have to first have experience.

Don’t settle for a job for which you are overqualified. Instead, learn about how to word your resume so that you are the star—and not your lack of employers.

1. Highlight your education

Whether you’re fresh out of high school or the recent recipient of a college diploma, your education is important. List any honors or awards you received, or if you were named to honor roll or Dean’s list. These sorts of achievements showcase your ability to work hard and excel.

You can also list specific classes taken, especially if these are relevant for the job to which you are applying. For example, if you are a senior in high school applying to a waitressing position and just completed a culinary arts course, this detail would provide great enhancement to your resume.

2. Include relevant experiences and skills

Even if you didn’t receive payment, unpaid or volunteer experiences can demonstrate your interests and skills. Emphasize any leadership positions you held, and be sure to quantify your experiences with specific awards, dates, numbers, and titles.

You can also include skills obtained through those experiences. For example, if you were president of your school newspaper you undoubtedly became skilled at organization, time management, collaboration, writing, and editing. The significance of soft skills in your resume cannot be overrated. Many employers these days are seeking employees who know how to communicate, work with others, and accept constructive criticism. Play up and emphasize even your unpaid life experiences with carefully worded, numbers-focused bullet points to make these small details pop.

3. Show the hiring manager who you really are

Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine. Chances are, if you’re building a resume with no work experience, you’re willing to try new jobs and unfamiliar tasks. Let the hiring manager know what your hobbies, passions, and career goals, especially if those are relevant to the job for which you are applying. The only way your future employer has to see the real you is through what you write. Make your limited words count by showcasing the best possible version of you possible.

Get Advice

If you’re concerned that your lack of experience might make you seem under-qualified (despite your impressive skills or education), look for help. Ask a trusted friend or family member their opinion about your resume, and try a resume builder to help convert your unpaid experiences, skills, and education into noteworthy resume bullet points. Make sure you always proofread your resume before giving it to potential employers!

Seek additional resume examples from people in similar situations, or try a resume template. A template will take the stress out of formatting and allow you to focus on the best possible way to market yourself.

When you’re writing a resume, you have two pages tops to prove to a hiring manager that you’re the right person for the job. Before you become overwhelmed, read the tips below.

1. Don’t just list job duties

Scrubbing toilets probably isn’t something you’ll want to include as the first bullet point in your experience at your high school job. In fact, for most job applications, it probably isn’t a bullet point you should include at all! Avoid listing specific tasks you would find in a generic job description. That information is usually already available.

Instead, focus on what you did well. If you must include your toilet-scrubbing background, consider the wording. What made you the best toilet scrubber around? Was it your attention to detail? Maybe you went above and beyond and also made sure to refill the soap dispenser. Listing only job duties on a resume becomes both redundant and unnecessary—instead, use that valuable space to sell yourself.

2. Only include it if you made an impact

If it’s not something you would call your mom or dad to brag about, it probably doesn’t belong on your resume.

You have very limited space on this document. Make sure what you include is valuable. Did you receive an award or honor at your last job? Surpass a sales goal? When writing your bullets, consider what really matters and make those few words count. Pick high-impact words with specific, powerful details.

Cluttering the page with too many minute details about the day-to-day of your job will distract a hiring manager from what makes you truly remarkable. Quantify that awesomeness with specific traits, numbers, and recognition.

3. Keep them short and sweet (and grammatically correct)

A bullet point should be no longer than a line or two. Any more than that, and you run the risk of your reader just glazing over what you might consider crucial details. Don’t get hung up on the verbiage of your bullets—choose high-impact, easy to understand words so that your reader doesn’t have to pull out a dictionary just to read your resume.

On that note, make sure your resume is grammatically correct and consistent. It goes without saying that you should always proofread your document for any grammatical errors, but you should also make sure your bullet points match. They should not be formatted as complete sentences, and should always follow a consistent verb tense based on whether the job held was past, or present.

Make Them Count

Worried about the impact of your bullet points? Try a resume builder to help you convert your work experiences, skills, and goals into meaningful snippets of information. If you’re applying for a new job in which you have little familiarity with resume creating, you may want to consider using a resume template instead. These resume examples can provide you with clear guidance on how you should format your next resume.

You were a police officer your entire life, until you retired young and found yourself looking for a new career. Or, perhaps you took a few years off to raise a family, and are panicking about how to cover up that gap in your resume.

Whatever your reasons, congratulations! Starting a new career is an exhilarating time. However, changing careers can be stressful, and no doubt you’re worried about how to make your experiences shine on paper. With a few minor tweaks, you’ll be on your way to that exciting new job in no time.

The “Problem”

Making a mid-life career change is not easy. It requires extensive planning, organization, and decision-making. To make it even more stressful, many careers have industry-specific, cookie-cutter requirements that your multiple years of work experience from other jobs might not neatly fit into.

Don’t lose hope. Many skills you’ve undoubtedly accrued through your years of work experience might be transferable. Your college degree might not be in the requested major, but perhaps you took enough courses while you were there to add up to a minor. Be patient with yourself and remember that even soft skills—such as communication, collaboration, and work ethic—can be applied to multiple careers.  With that in mind, follow these tips to make sure your resume makes you the star of the show.

1. Identify which skills—if any—are transferable

Research is important when applying for any job, but especially a job in a new field. Find out what employers are looking for, and position your resume so that the skills and experiences you do have are as close of a match as possible.

You might not always be able, due to functionality or space, to list skills on your resume. However, word each bullet point or work task on your resume so that the skills are at least implied.

2. Compare and contrast

Take some time to compare your new career path to the old. What do they have in common? Make a Venn diagram or organize your thoughts in whichever way works best for you.

3. Consider an objective

If you feel that your goals and experiences are not outlined clearly in your experiences, it might be worth your time to add an objective. Objectives allow employers to make a connection between your past experiences and future goals.

4. Design intelligently

Think about whether you want your experiences to be listed chronologically (by date), or functionally (by relevancy). If there is a big difference between your old and new careers, a functional resume might be easier for a hiring manager to follow, as it will underscore the most important and relevant pieces of your background.

Don’t Start From Scratch

You’re not alone when designing a new resume for your changing needs. Use a resume builder to find industry-specific resume templates and guidelines. Using these resume examples can be a great way to jump-start your one-of-a kind resume.

When you’re writing your resume, it can be tempting to follow resume templates or plug in commonly used blanket phrases about your job duties. In most cases, this isn’t a bad thing—you don’t have to reinvent the wheel in order to get a job. However, there are times when buzzwords—especially used in zealous overabundance—just make an employer cringe.

What are buzzwords?

Buzzwords are (generally speaking) meaningless, fluffy terms that usually don’t relate back to a specific industry, job title, or duty. They tend to provide an over-inflated perspective on what it is you’ve actually done. Examples might include the words: synergy, go-getter, or team player.

Why do job seekers continue to use them? Because they’re flashy! They are attractive and make your resume sound slightly more sophisticated. On the flip side, overuse of these words can cause your resume to sound generic and send it straight into the garbage can.

Nevertheless, there are times when using an intelligently placed buzzword can enhance your resume. Consider using buzzwords if your specific resume example meets one of the following criteria.

1. If the word is related to a specific industry

If you’re positioning yourself to enter into the IT field, it’s probably going to be tough to convey your experience without using some key technical jargon. If you’re a teacher, and your resume doesn’t contain language such as “differentiation” or “classroom management,” again—it doesn’t matter how cliché a phrase might be. You’re going to need it, or you aren’t even going to get an interview.  If you can’t convey the duties of your job without throwing in a few buzzwords, use them.

2. If the buzzword can be backed up

Don’t stress about using a buzzword if you can genuinely prove that you are “results-driven.” For this tip, you can’t simply rely on the hiring manager to assume you get results every time. Make sure you list exactly how you are driven by results, what those results are, and how you achieve them. The more details you can illuminate with specific dates, facts, and figures, the better.

3. If you have other more focused, “you”-centered information

The most important part of your resume is that it can’t sound canned. If your resume doesn’t stand out, then you won’t be given the opportunity to shine in an interview, either. By haphazardly tossing in buzzwords every other sentence or bullet point, you’re going to sound like every other applicant out there. Instead, use buzzwords sparingly, and only when you absolutely can’t continue without them.

Get Your Resume to the Top of the Pile

Writing your first—or even fiftieth!—resume can be a daunting task, whether you choose to use buzzwords or not. Don’t rely on memory, assumptions or hearsay to create your ticket to a better career. Instead, read our other tips and tricks and try our resume creator to get your resume to the very top of the pile.

These days, many large companies have so many applicants for new or vacant positions, they have to automate their systems just to deal with the influx. They use something called an applicant tracking system to weed through the mountain and pull out qualified candidates.

The tracker analyzes your resume and looks for key components. If you don’t have them, or if you stray from the norm too much, you’ll be relegated to the slush pile.

The only way to get past the automated tracker and into actual human hands is to tailor your document to beat the system.

Use These 6 Tips to Get a Human to Read Your Resume

You may not have realized you’d have to write for a machine as well as humans. Here are some easy ways to make sure you appeal to both:

1. Don’t Try to Be Too Unique

Using anything but standard formatting will confuse an application tracker. For instance, don’t title your headings with anything other than the standard “education,” “work experience,” “skills,” etc. In other words, color within the lines structurally.

For instance, if you name your work experience section “What I Learned on the Job,” you’re not only being too wordy, you’re going to fall through the cracks of the system.

Using fancy graphic designs or even two columns can also cause problems with an automated scanner. Straightforward formatting usually works best. A good resume template will be visually appealing without going overboard.

2. Use Keywords Listed in the Job Posting

Don’t just skim through job listings – read them carefully, and write down keywords you notice. These can include lists of skills, industry terms, and related words. Take these and use them strategically in your resume to make the application tracker zero-in on you as a prime candidate.

3. Note the Job Title

In your summary, state the job title exactly as it appears in the posting. Applicant trackers hone in on specificity.

4. Don’t Try to Trick the System, Though

Lots of people use sneaky ways to try to trick the system. This is not the way to go, especially if you want to appear professional (and you should). Common, sneaky tactics include adding keywords in white text so they’re “invisible,” adding keywords where they don’t make sense, and using keywords in an irrelevant fashion – for instance, saying “I am not a human resources specialist yet, but…”

5. Pay Attention to Spelling

An applicant tracker won’t recognize misspelled words. Make sure all your spelling is correct. Have a trusted person read over your resume to catch what a spell-checker might miss.

6. Don’t Forget About the Human Readers You’re Trying to Reach

In the end, you’re trying to get your resume into the hands of human readers. Don’t forget this final – and most important – audience when you’re creating your document.

Use a Resume Creator and Optimize Your Document

A resume builder can help you insert keywords in the right places, plus it will make sure you’re submitting the right format and information for your industry. This takes a lot of the guesswork out of resume building and sifting through endless resume templates.

Once you have a resume example that appeals to both machines and humans, you’re on your way to sailing straight to the job you’re aiming to get. Use these tips and it’s in the bag.

As an artist, you have a unique challenge when it comes to resumes. For one, your experiences have to do with your creative output and skills, not necessarily traditional factors like leadership or customer service. For another, you need to present yourself in a way that’s specific and ties back to your portfolio.

How do you accomplish all this? A few easy steps can help.

What to Include in Your Artist Resume

An artist resume is going to look different from most other industry resume examples. Create your document with all of the following additions in mind:

1. Your Specific Goals

What are you trying to achieve? Are you putting yourself forward for an exhibition? Are you looking for grant money? Do you want an internship, a teaching position, or a residency? Clarify what you want and what your resume should do for you.

2. Your Online Portfolio URL

Your resume needs to complement your portfolio (and vice-versa), so you should definitely include your URL to your online collection of your best work. If you don’t have one yet, get going – this is the easiest way for people to look you up and see exactly what you do.

3. Every Medium You’ve Worked In

If you regularly work in more than one medium, this needs to be represented on your resume. Use different sections for each one (i.e. watercolors, acrylics, pencil drawings, clay sculpture, etc.) and only include your best work from your portfolio.

4. Related Experience

To show that you have a broad understanding of art history or art concepts, include opportunities that are related. Did you volunteer at a museum? Did you paint with little kids during an after-school program? Did you help create a local mural? Any experience that’s relevant to your goals can be included, even if it’s not necessarily formal work or education.

5. Teaching Experience

Even if you’re not going for a teaching position, add any teaching experience you may have. Being able to instruct others in art topics shows your leadership and communication skills, as well as the breadth of your knowledge of art concepts.

6. Accomplishments, Awards, and Honors

If you have awards under your belt, definitely show them off. For instance, maybe you earned a prize at an exhibition, or perhaps you were awarded an honor for your innovation. These are great things to mention in your resume.

Don’t forget to include all of your exhibitions in your accomplishments. If your work was shown in public, this is always a great honor and looks good to prospective employers.

Use a Resume Creator for Industry-Specific Resume Templates

If you’re starting from square one, use a resume builder to find templates for your industry to follow. They’ll help you include all of the relevant information that employers in your field are looking for. Follow all of these tips and your artist resume will get you that dream position.

The job search process is tough.

Along with scouring job listings, you’re probably also preparing for interviews, filling out applications, writing cover letters, and tweaking your resume. Each individual position you apply for needs different information from you, it seems. It can be hard to manage it all.

You can make this process easier on yourself. Instead of creating your document by hand, you can use an online resume builder.

6 Ways an Online Resume Creator is a Godsend

Speed up your job application process and get more interviews – here is why a web-based resume builder makes a difference:

1. It’s Automated – No Fiddling with Your Word Processor Involved

The online creator does the fiddly work for you. All you have to do is enter your information, and the builder takes it all in and formats it for you correctly.

2. It’s Customizable

Are you particular about fonts and colors? Are you worried about your overall impression? There’s no need. A good Internet resume builder will have customizable resume templates that let you choose the overall look and feel. This means you can stay true to your personal brand but still create a professional document in less than half the time.

3. You Can Find Predesigned Resume Templates for Your Industry

Work in marketing? Business? The creative sector? There’s a perfect resume template out there for you to help you appeal to hiring managers in your field. This means all of the right sections will be included, with the emphasis on the information that matters most to your line of work.

4. You Can Keyword Optimize Your Document

With resume building technology, you can easily add current keywords to your resume that hiring managers and recruiters will look for in a search. They do this to help them narrow down good candidates out of a mountain of applicants. Using scanning software, HR managers target documents that have specific keywords that highlight exactly what they’re looking for. Adding these keywords, as such, will place you a step ahead of the pack.

5. It Saves Time

If you’re stressing out about your job hunt, a resume creator can save you oodles of time. This is especially true if you need to send different versions to different prospects. Just edit the information and the online resume software will create a new document that’s updated and targeted for your next job lead.

6. You Can Make the Template Your Own

Using a pre-designed resume template is a time-saver, but you can still tweak them after the fact to make sure your document doesn’t look cookie-cutter. This is a big bonus because recruiters can often spot candidates who use templates from a mile away. However, if you add a touch of your own personality after the brunt of the document is created for you, you’ll avoid being shuffled into this pile.

Save Time and Get Your Resume into the World

In short, a good web-based resume creator can help you save time, create multiple targeted documents, and generally assist you with your job hunt. As a result, you’ll be less stressed and will have more time to prepare for interviews and nail the job you’re been dreaming of.

Sending your resume to employers can be nerve-wracking. You hope against hope that they’ll notice you and like what they see, especially if the job is one you really want.

If you’re nervous at this stage, there’s a way to combat that.

How to do it? With ultra-preparedness. Give yourself peace of mind that you did absolutely everything in your power to score the job of your dreams. Review this checklist to make sure your resume is perfect before you send it into the world.

Your 5 Point Checklist for Polishing Your Resume

Your resume is all set. You chose a beautiful resume template and filled in all the information with a helpful online resume builder. Now that your information is all there, it’s time to send – but don’t get too hasty. Consult this checklist first to make sure everything is in order.

1. Is It the Right Length?

If you’ve had a lot of jobs, your resume could easily be pages and pages long. However, anything more than two pages in length may get you passed over. You need to be able to effectively condense your work history and skill set.

2. Is It Easy to Read?

Take a step back from your document and analyze the layout. Don’t look at the words, themselves, but rather how every element looks on the page. Are sections clearly delineated? Is there enough white space, or does it look crowded and cluttered?

3. Is All Your Contact Information Correct?

Double-check your contact details. One wrong letter in your email address or forgetting to add your phone number can equal a missed opportunity due to a silly error.

4. Is Your Summary Well-Written?

Look critically at your summary statement. Is it clear and concise? Is it the right length? Between two and five lines long is optimal.

5. Is Your Information Relevant to the Position You’re Applying For?

Look carefully at everything you have included. Don’t be afraid to tailor your resume for the job you want. If some work experience isn’t relevant or doesn’t help your case, nix it. If certain skills aren’t relevant to getting hired, make sure you highlight others that will. A targeted resume is far more effective than a general one you send to every potential employer.

Last-Minute Checks Before You Hit “Send”

Your resume template is perfect. You used a resume builder to get it looking professional and to organize your information. Now you’ve also gone over it with a fine-tooth comb.

If you think you’re ready to hit the “send” button, stop. Did you let a trusted friend, family member, or co-worker review your document for errors? Did you proofread? Is your cover letter attached along with any supporting documents?

If you’ve answered “yes” to all of these questions, now you’re ready to send.

After you hit that button, sit back and relax. Know that your hard work and attention to detail will pay off in the end.

If you’re on the lookout for a new position, or just have the idea in the back of your mind, it’s a good plan to update your resume.

In fact, making a few simple updates is a good way to review where you stand in your career path, direct your course more clearly, or ready yourself for a new phase altogether.

Refresh your resume to position yourself perfectly for any opportunities that may present themselves. If your application materials are ready to go, it will make your chances of succeeding that much better.

How to Spiff Up Your Resume

Updating this important document is a good practice at any point in time, but especially if you’re anticipating a job change or career opportunity.

1. Update Your Basic Contact Details

If you still have your old phone number or email address listed on your information, you won’t get any hits. This may seem like an obvious detail, but you’d be surprised at how many job candidates forget to complete this one simple step. Get your correct information on there so hiring managers can contact you.

2. Edit Your Summary Statement

This statement is where you tell prospective employers what you offer to the role. If your last job search was more than three years ago, you have probably grown and gained responsibility since then. Edit the summary of qualifications to reflect where you are now – or better yet, start over completely with a fresh statement. If you have an “objective” statement instead of a summary, replace it with a stronger summary statement or paragraph highlighting your current skillset.

3. Add New Work History

The top of your work history section will probably need some additions. Add any new positions, including current ones. Then go to the bottom of this section and delete any positions that are more than 10 years old. Anything this far in the past has pretty much lost its relevancy.

4. Update Your Skills

Your skill set has probably changed a lot since the last time you wrote them out. What have you learned since then? Do you know any new software or programs, or did you gain leadership or teamwork skills from a recent position? Add them with pride.

5. Change the Layout

If you haven’t touched your resume in years, it probably needs a layout update. Look online for modern, simple resume templates or resume examples that you can follow. If there are problems with your old formatting (like minimal line spacing and bad font choices), refresh it so it’s more readable.

Finally, save a copy of your resume as a PDF file to preserve the formatting for optimal viewing. Microsoft Word documents sometimes have formatting issues when shared and transferred across versions.

6. Enlist a Resume Builder for Extra Help

A resume creator can help you update your document so it is easier to read and more suitable for modern formatting standards. Consider using one if you don’t have a lot of time, or need a professional look, fast.

Enlist these steps and your resume will be bright and shiny once again. You’ll feel good about sending it out into the world to speak for you.

Creating your very first resume can be a confusing endeavor. What do you include? What do you leave out? How do you pad it out and make it look impressive with a very short list of work experiences?

These are all valid questions. However, there’s a way to create a resume that will put the focus on your skills, not your lack of experience.

How to Build Your Resume from Scratch

If you can show that you can put together a competent document, that’s half the battle. Recruiters are always impressed with resumes that do all the right things – show off your skills and how you’re right for the job.

1. Choose the Right Style with a Resume Template

Since you’re just starting out in the career world, you need to choose a style that highlights what you bring to the table, not what you’re lacking.

For this reason, choose a resume template that puts your education front and center, especially if you have an advanced degree. Or, choose to highlight your experience and skills if your education is lacking.

2. Highlight Skills Earned Through Multiple Avenues

When you’re working on listing your credentials, don’t neglect to add skill-building opportunities that gave you a chance to be responsible. Just because you may not have earned a wage doesn’t make these experiences less valuable.

For instance, include relevant volunteer work, after-school programs, clubs, and teams. If you developed skills that make you a good candidate, include them – it’s what hiring managers and recruiters want to see.

3. Divide and Conquer

When writing your resume, you need to organize it into sections. For instance, outline your education, experience, and skills in different areas. List the most important of these first – whatever is most relevant to the job you’re after.

4. Use Action Verbs

When describing what you did on a job or skill-building opportunity, don’t be vague. Instead of saying “ran the cashier and helped customers” when describing your retail job, really outline the skills you used while carrying out these duties.

For instance, you might say, “operated a cash register and managed money to help the company meet daily sales goals.”

5. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

This cannot be stressed enough: Proofread your resume. Check for grammar mistakes, spelling errors, and other mishaps. You’ll hear it over and over again, but it matters. Cleaning up your resume shows your attention to detail, professionalism, and care.

6. Use a Resume Builder

If you feel like a fish out of water when sitting down to be a resume creator, think about enlisting some help. Get some assistance from an online resume builder and save time and stress.

Being a first-time resume creator can be daunting, but you don’t have to jump in without any guidance. Rely on tips and tricks like these, and you’ll be on your way to getting the job and moving up on your career journey.

Your resume is only one part of your application. The other part is just as important – the cover letter.

This piece of paper or email is your pitch and introduction, and helps explain, clarify, or highlight your resume. This means you have to take care that it is well thought-out.

Many candidates are tempted to skip the cover letter altogether, but that is ill-advised. It shows that you didn’t pay attention to the application requirements, at best. At worst, it will make you look lazy.

However, create a cover letter that is commanding, strong, and sharp, and you could just get your foot in the door.

How to Create a Cover Letter That Helps, Not Hinders, Your Resume

You’ve worked with a resume creator and now you have a document that is succinct, professional, and effective. What’s next? After you’re done with the resume builder, it’s time to craft the perfect cover letter that draws out elements of your resume, highlighting how perfect you are for that coveted job at your dream company.

1. Don’t Focus on Yourself

The cover letter isn’t about you. Instead, it’s about what you can bring to the company. As such, the organization needs to be your focus. Discuss why you want to work for them, what you’ll bring to the workplace, and how your skills are a match for the job.

Everything should tie back to the job. Don’t add any extraneous information that’s unrelated, or you risk looking unfocused.

2. Don’t Just Parrot Your Resume

The cover letter is not for restating everything you have on your resume. The two stories need to mirror each other, but they should not be copies. Instead, your cover letter is for bringing the facts to life. Focus on the most important credentials and highlight them.

3. Keep Your Language Professional

You may be tempted to add humor or sarcasm to lighten the mood and add interest to your cover letter. Don’t do it. Recruiters aren’t looking to be entertained – they’re looking to see if you have stand-out skills that make you perfect for the job. Adding a joke or two is unprofessional and unwarranted.

4. Don’t Over-Share

You should know by now that your cover letter needs to be one page long or less. This is not the place to tell your career story. You don’t need to explain each and every job and award on your resume example. Instead, shine a light on the most important points, and get to the main idea – why you’re an excellent fit for the job you’re applying to win.

5. Do Think of Your Resume and Cover Letter as a Package

Your application materials make up a complete package. First, make sure your cover letter matches the resume template you chose. The headers should be the same. In terms of content, the resume and cover letter should balance each other out, not be exact replicas. Your cover letter is the story that brings the facts of your resume to life. Don’t neglect this one important fact, and you’ll be well on your way to scoring that position you’re gunning to grab.

Creating a resume that stands out from the rest doesn’t have to be rocket science. With just a few tips and tricks, you can make your professional resume a shining star that highlights your accomplishments, credentials, and work experience.

How to Make Your Resume an Example of Perfection

A great resume example balances the content and the design. Choose a quality resume template as a foundation for your personalized career profile.

1. Use Headings and Subheadings

For your overall design, what makes a resume easier to scan and read as a whole is excellent organization. Take care with headings and subheadings for every section and subsection, and make sure they stand out by using bold font and optionally an accent color that’s different from the body of your text.

2. Use Color Wisely

Color can make or break your resume. Too much color will look chaotic and unprofessional. While a plain black and white resume is still a safe choice, adding a subtle splash of color can help make a resume stand out.

For example, you might add some color to your headings, either for the font or as shading. For a font, choose a color that is easy to read on a white background. Try color that emphasizes your overall message or persona – how you want to come off to prospective employers. If you’re aiming for a creative profession, try using a brighter color for your accent. Looking to get into the business sector? Navy or royal blue are good choices.

3. Keep the Important Facts Front and Center

Hiring managers and HR departments have to scan a lot of resumes in order to find the right candidate. After a while, they can all begin to blend together. If you’re not careful to put the most important information where it will be noticed first, you risk not being noticed at all.

As such, put the credentials that are most relevant to the position at the top left. Most readers will skim in this direction – left to right, top to bottom – so you’ll be sure that hiring managers will see your chops.

4. Leave Room to Breathe

A key mistake that many resume creators make is stuffing their document to the brim with text. This doesn’t show that you’re accomplished – instead, it just gives recruiters a headache. Make sure your resume is easy to read and pleasing to the eye by leaving wide margins and roomy spacing between sections and individual lines.

5. Don’t Sweat It

When all else fails, don’t sweat your resume design. If you’re not very handy with word processing software or don’t have an eye for colors and fonts, default to keeping it simple and organized. You’ll get bonus points for thoughtfulness and attention to detail.

Keys to Keep in Mind for an Elegant Resume

If you’re struggling with your document design, keep a few of these keys in mind:

• Choose simplicity over style. An over-designed document can just end up looking fussy and cluttered.
• Focus on your writing and content more than the design. Your resume will get you nowhere if it doesn’t highlight your achievements.
• Finally, don’t forget to relax. If you’re totally stuck with your resume example, think about turning to a professional resume creator to help you. If you’re stressing about it too much, it’s just not worth it.

Your resume is your first impression for a prospective employer. The way you present yourself in that little document can make or break you – it can clinch you an interview, or get you put in the slush pile.

Hiring managers only have a short amount of time to scan your application materials. A resume that’s clean, polished, and shows obvious skill is a shoe-in.

That said, there are some mistakes that can make your application an immediate “no,” no matter what great credentials you may have.

Don’t Make These 3 Amateur Mistakes on Your Resume

Avoid these resume mistakes, otherwise, you’ll end up coming off as sloppy, negligent, out of touch, or worse – not a good fit for the job.

1. Using Outdated Methods

If you use outdated resume templates instead of a modern resume creator, you risk looking outdated and out of touch yourself.

What are outdated methods when it comes to your resume? For one, don’t leave out your email address in your contact information. Including your LinkedIn profile URL is also a good idea, if your profile is up-to-date.

What you can leave out: Stating an “objective” at the top of a resume is not necessary these days, and that space is better spent explaining why you are a good candidate. “References available upon request” is also not necessary.

Of course, don’t type out your resume on a typewriter, and don’t rely on snail mail. Sending a paper resume might be a good follow-up to responding via email or the company’s preferred web interface, but don’t use it as your only method of contact.

2. Making Grammar and Spelling Errors

If your resume example is riddled with spelling or grammar errors, you’ll just end up looking sloppy and unprofessional. You need to go over your application documents with a fine-tooth comb to make sure your words are error-free. You don’t want your prospective employer to think you’re lazy or incompetent, but they will if you make this major error.

3. Being Flippant or Making Jokes

In your cover letter and supporting documents, you can’t make jokes or be flippant and expect to be taken seriously. Applying for a professional position is serious business. When an employer hires you, they’re making an investment. Save the jokes for friendly co-worker camaraderie when you’re well-established – and not before.

Avoid Silly Mistakes and Make Your Bid for the Job Unbeatable

When you’re sending in your application packet, you can’t afford to make silly mistakes. Don’t make inappropriate jokes in your documents, stay up on current technology and resume formatting, and don’t fall prey to grammar and spelling errors.

A few quick tips to help you create a winning resume:

• Use formal, professional language. Keep it polite, not overly friendly.
• Have a friend or family member read over your application materials and double-check for grammar and spelling. A fresh set of eyes can catch what you or your spell-checker might have missed.
• Research resume templates online and stay current on what you need to include. Consider using a resume builder to do the work for you – that way you’ll know you’re getting it right.

Use common sense and smarts when building your application. Care and attention are just as important as the skills that make you perfect for the job.