How do I build a good resume?
After your apprenticeship, building a resume is a good way to start your job hunt.
Your resumé is you on a piece of paper. There are a lot of resumé builders out there to help you with layout and content, but if you don't want to pay for one, then here are some tips:
1. Make sure that your full name, contact details, and short description are at the top
Apart from your full name, also provide your current location, cell phone number, email address, LinkedIn account, Instagram account, Skype ID, and other relevant contact details.
You should also write a short description of yourself, including your title and past experiences. For example:
"I am a/an [position] with a passion for growth and learning. I have worked with [company], [company], and [company], doing [responsibility] and [responsibility].
2. A photo is not required
While some companies prefer that you provide a recent photo of yourself, it's actually better not to place a photo on your resumé unless specially asked for in the job post.
3. You should include certain sections
Some sections to include in your resume are: Work Experience, Skills (e.g. content marketing, search engine optimization, etc.), Educational Background, Personal Projects, Certifications, and Languages.
4. Make sure that your work experience and educational background are written in reverse-chronological order
Your most recent job and the most recent degree should be at the top of each section.
5. Use action words when listing your responsibilities, and do not include generic skills
Under each work experience entry, you need to list your specific responsibilities and achievements. Instead of writing "Wrote ten blog articles," you should write something like "Increased traffic to our website by 30% through writing for the company blog."
6. Make sure your Resumé can be scanned
Most companies use software to scan resumés and streamline the candidate screening process. The software will look for certain words that make you a good fit for the company. If the software cannot scan your resumé, then you are automatically removed from the candidate list.
7. Make sure it looks neat
Even if your resume has designs and color, if it looks messy, then recruiters will not look at it. Make sure you use a readable font and a clean template.
8. Try to limit your resume to one page
Most HR personnel go through hundreds of resumés in a day. If your resume is more than one page, that second page isn't getting read.
Remember to add your Acadium certification/s and specific apprenticeship experiences to your resume to make it even more appealing to potential employers.