Rules for resume writing provide a fundamental framework for your resume. For recruiters who receive hundreds of applications, your resume becomes a document showcasing your career and is an essential factor that decides your chances of landing an interview. A strong resume is your ticket if the quest for a new job is a trip.
6 Rules for resume writing are;
- Mention your primary details
- Add keywords mentioned in the Job description
- Use numbers and data while mentioning achievements
- Speak more in less words
- Use online resume templates
- Edit your resume each time you apply for a job
In this blog, We’ll talk about some of the most crucial guidelines for resume writing.
What Is a Resume?
A resume is a piece of document on which you represent your qualifications, experiences, and skills and use it for different purposes, mainly for a job application. If you are planning to apply for a job, keep these rules in mind while updating your resume. These rules can be applied to all kinds of resume formats, but primarily resumes are read with the help of software and this is why one-column format with a professional font would be great.
What Is Resume Writing?
Resume writing is advertising yourself through this document in front of the recruiter and it contains basic information such as the candidate’s name, contact and address. Along with this, education and professional qualifications are presented on it and to correctly mention these details, you should know the formats for writing a resume.
Following are the three significant types of resume writing formats which you can follow-
Chronological Or Reverse Order Resume
A chronological resume is one of those prominent resumes used in the professional world. It is easy to read and focuses on your work experience.
The fact is, it mentions your work experience in reverse order, and these factors make it the best resume format. Professionals with years of experience in a particular field prefer using this format.
In simple words, this resume format mentions the advancement of your career from the past to the present. To clarify, it prioritizes your work experience over other details on your resume.
In a chronological resume, you can list your work experience like below example-
Work experience
-
- Senior Graphic designer
06/2017- present, ABC Company
-
- Graphic designer
05/2012- 05/2017
- Graphic designer
03/2009-04/2012, ABC Company
- Trainee Graphic designer
02/2008- 02/2009
Functional Resume Or Skill-Based Resume
Compared to other formats, a functional resume highlights your skills and experience, reflecting your ability to work in an organization.
For sure, it does not focus on your work experience. Instead, it focuses on your skills which allow you to become a perfect candidate to be selected by the hiring managers.
If you have no work experience, you must not use a functional resume. This format suits people who can not use chronological resumes.
This format can be a good choice for those who have just started their career, are switching their field, have gaps in work experience or frequently switched jobs.
In functional resume format, you can list your skills like below example-
Skills & Expertise
- Communication skills
- Management Skills
- Research skills
- Marketing skills
Hybrid Or Combination Resume
The combination resume is the mixed format of both chronological and functional resume. Your skill and strength summary lies at the top of this resume, followed by your work experiences. Evidently, neither your work experience nor skill sets are entirely highlighted by this resume.
Consequently, this resume provides only the required information about your experience and skill sets to a hiring manager. This way, neither your work experience nor skill set gets highlighted. This format certainly brings the best elements of chronological and functional resumes.
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Rules for Resume Writing
Rules for resume writing are key guidelines to improve how your resume appears on the desk of the HR. Many applicants do not adhere to the even basic rules of formatting a resume. As per the data, an unstructured resume format is the main factor behind not receiving the interview call. If you carefully follow the below-discussed rules, you will undoubtedly be one of the applicants who can seize the best jobs in the industries.
Here, you have seven rules to keep in mind when you update your resume
1. Mention your primary details
The main target of your resume is to effectively provide your relevant skills and achievements, and there are various ways of making it possible. Further, your resume needs to mention these essential details.
Appropriate educational degrees or certifications. The significance of educational background will differ from industry to industry. In the case of several academic degrees, mention only relevant ones. Also, you should not add all your past work experience, instead, highlight your achievements more than your responsibilities.
Other details that need to be mentioned on your resume are contact information, your full name, location, email address and phone number. Be careful of whom you are sharing these details with.
2. Add Keywords Already Mentioned In the Job Description
Recruiters look for those candidates who can work according to their requirements and know what language their industry speaks. If your resume has similar keywords that are present in a job description, it regenerates the idea that you are a perfect choice for the position. And if you register at an online job portal like contract jobs, keywords become crucial to decide the shortlisting of your resume.
You should carefully read those keywords mentioned by the employer in the job description. This way, you can add relevant keywords to your resume according to your profile.
3. Use Number And Data While Mentioning Achievements
Your accomplishments gain authenticity from numbers and facts. Additionally, it gives the recruiter a view of your expertise which can be helpful for their organization. Wherever possible, authenticate your accomplishments with data and factual information in your resume.
Example-
Without number-Completion of projects with the help of execution skills.
With number- Completed more than 20 projects with the help of strong execution and management skills.
4. Speak More In Less Words
An overwritten resume will not help HR to get a quick insight into your work experience. List your work experience in short and readable sentences.
Example-
Overwritten- Implemented management skills to make all projects meet deadlines with the help of organizing, planning and successful execution of skills.
Concise Completed more than 20 projects through efficient planning and execution
Most resumes are of two pages, so you must focus on adding only relevant information. If you find difficulty in deciding relevant details, read the job description and determine what detail is required by the hiring manager
You should know what kind of work you are looking for, so do not mention those experiences or duties you do not want to do. Instead, mention only the experiences you wish the employer to look at.
5. Use online resume templates
It is good to look at some of the well-written resumes. This way, you can pick relevant samples according to your job category and title. It will help you strongly present your credentials and refrain from adding overused words.
This practice will also provide an overview of a particular industry’s working language. This point may be irrelevant but is still relevant to the position you are applying for. For example, if you find a sample resume with the same set of experience as yours, it will help you impressively frame your experience in your resume.
6. Edit Your Resume Each time You Apply For A Job
A single spelling or misprinting mistake will make the hiring managers reject your resume at first sight. This is why you should proofread your resume word to word when applying for a job. Also, Reading content in a backward manner helps you identify minor mistakes. Feedbacks are always good so ask people to give feedback on your resume before you send it to hiring managers.
A well-written resume can make your job search journey smoother, highlight your positive points, and help you get to your dream job. With some hard work and following these seven rules, you can make this document the most helpful asset in your career progression.
Why Should You Follow Rules For Resume Writing
There are fixed rules for resume writing, but with the advent of new technology, the hiring process has become more complex than ever before. Staying up to date with the current trend of resume writing, you will be able to make your resume perform well. This is why you should follow the rules for resume writing.
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Common Mistakes Of Resume Writing
These are the few mistakes from which you must refrain-
- Not using action verbs
- Not highlighting skills and achievements
- Not providing profile summary
- Not using keywords mentioned in the Job description
- Using the inappropriate format of a resume
Conclusion
The above-written rules are key points which you must follow if you want to get the right job. Applying all these rules will make your resume shine more than other candidates. Writing a resume randomly and not following the rules can be a disadvantage for your job search journey.
