Crafting a strong resume might sound straightforward, but it can be quite challenging. With countless resources available online, it’s hard to determine which ones are reliable. I understand this struggle from my own experiences.
Fortunately, I’ve found a great resource: “The New Rules of Work: The Modern Playbook for Navigating Your Career” by Kathryn Minshew and Alexandra Cavoulacos.
Why trust these authors? They are the co-founders of The Muse, a well-respected career platform with over 50 million users. Their extensive knowledge in career development is evident in their book, which offers invaluable insights into job hunting, networking, salary negotiation, and more. I highly recommend it.
Since I can’t transcribe the entire book, I’ll summarize the key steps in this letter. Let’s dive in!
5 Steps to Writing a Resume
When it comes to resumes, there’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” document. Your resume should be customized for each job you’re applying for. Here’s how to approach that:
Step #1: Reverse Engineer
Begin by tailoring your resume to the specific job description. Print out the listing and highlight what the company is seeking. Look for recurring keywords and requirements.
This approach differs significantly from the more traditional method where candidates use a single resume for all applications. Start with the end in mind: if you align with 3/4 of the skills and qualities they’re asking for, it’s worthwhile to apply!
Step #2: Emphasize Analytical Skills
Visualize your resume as the analytical left side of your brain, while your cover letter embodies the creative right side.
Your resume should present solid data and facts about your experience. This doesn’t mean simply copying and pasting the job description; instead, focus on showcasing your accomplishments.
Avoid vague terms like “good leader.” Instead, elaborate: “Led a team of 50 professionals and consistently surpassed sales targets by an average of 15% each month.” Be specific, and use quantifiable achievements wherever possible.
Step #3: Structure Your Resume
The order of information on your resume is crucial. Always present the most relevant details at the top. However, what’s considered relevant varies based on your unique situation (Are you a recent graduate? Transitioning careers? An experienced professional?).
For most candidates, here’s a recommended order (from top to bottom):
- Contact Information: Clearly list your name, phone number, email address, and, optionally, your LinkedIn profile. It’s surprising how many people forget this crucial section.
- Work Experience: This section should dominate your resume. For each role, include your job title, company name, location, dates of employment, and concise bullet points highlighting your key accomplishments (remember to use numbers!).
- Awards/Associations/Volunteer Work: This is optional. If you have relevant awards, consider listing them here.
- Education: Focus on your college education, omitting high school details. Provide the institution and degree, leaving out graduation year and GPA if unnecessary.
- Skills: Include a few bullet points to showcase your top skills. This will help emphasize your expertise and incorporate those critical keywords identified in Step #1.
Note: Choose action verbs that set you apart from others; language matters.
Step #4: Polish Your Resume
Now it’s time to refine your resume by eliminating unnecessary words and correcting typos.
To help you trim the fat, imagine that you’ll earn $100 for every word you delete. Skim through your resume and remove anything that isn’t essential. This should be easy if you’re envisioning that cash reward!
For error-checking, use grammar tools like Grammarly, and ask friends or family to review your work. They might catch mistakes you’ve overlooked.
Ensure there’s ample white space on your resume, as clutter can detract from its readability. Aim to keep it to one clean page.
Step #5: Keep It Simple
Unless you’re a designer, tread lightly when it comes to heavy formatting on your resume.
Large companies often utilize applicant tracking systems that screen resumes for keywords. If your layout is overly complex, it may hinder these systems from properly evaluating your application.
Instead, maintain simplicity to avoid obstacles in the application process. The Muse offers inspiration for resume formats that work well.
Bonus Tip: Save your resume as a PDF to preserve its formatting when sharing.
Additional Considerations:
- Stand Out: Take inspiration from candidates like Nina Mufleh, who famously applied to Airbnb in a unique manner that showcased her talents.
- Seek Help: If you need assistance polishing your resume, consider coaching services from The Muse. Investing in this can significantly boost your job prospects.
And that concludes today’s guidance!
Key Takeaways
Today, we covered:
- How to reverse engineer your resume.
- The importance of enhancing the analytical side of your application.
- The structure and polishing of your resume.
- When and how to maintain a simple layout.
Thank you for reading!
Let me know if you need any further adjustments or additional content!