Tips to Create a Stellar Resume

Although every recruiter has slightly different preferences, a top-notch resume has just the right balance of formatting elements, content, and keywords. Instead of forcing a recruiter to search for details, a high-quality resume also makes it easy to find important information. Find out how to make a good resume that helps you land the job of your dreams.

Tailoring is Key: Targeting Your Resume

One of the most common mistakes applicants make is sending out the exact same resume for every job. Each role requires a different set of skills, so sending the same resume to every recruiter takes away the opportunity to show that your background is an excellent match for their requirements.

Avoid this pitfall by tailoring your resume to each position. For example, if you apply for an administrative assistant role, you may want to focus on time management, organization, and computing. A solid resume for a customer service position would focus on different skills, such as conflict resolution and relationship building.

To make your resume as relevant as possible, read the job description carefully. Incorporate duties, skills, certifications, and education requirements from the job description into your resume and cover letter. Using relevant keywords helps recruiters better understand your background, making it more likely that they’ll keep reading your resume instead of putting it in the rejection pile.CSU Global Graduates See Return on Investment With Better-Paying Jobs

Content Is King/Queen: Highlighting Achievements, Not Duties

One of the most important resume tips is to focus on achievements, not duties. Submitting a list of job duties does nothing to convince a recruiter that you have the skills and experience to succeed in a specific role. Incorporating achievements helps you stand out from the crowd.

Generally, your achievements should be quantifiable, meaning you can express them with numbers. Quantifiable achievements have a much bigger impact on recruiters than generic statements do, so use them liberally.

Start by familiarizing yourself with some of the most common action verbs for a resume. As their name implies, action verbs describe some type of action. “Analyzed,” “developed” and “reduced” are examples of action verbs used in building a resume.

Once you identify appropriate action verbs, translate bland duty-based statements into achievement-oriented bullet points. If you’re applying for an administrative assistant role, for example, “minimized office supply expenses” is a duty-based statement. “Reduced office supply expenses by 42% in one quarter” is a quantifiable achievement.

Structure Matters: Formatting for Readability

When learning how to make a good resume, content is only part of the equation. You also need to think about formatting. The right format makes it easy for recruiters to find important information within a matter of seconds.

A recruiter may have to review hundreds of resumes for a single role, so it’s important to be concise. Your resume should also be easy to scan. Use bullets, white space, and bold headings to enhance readability. White space is the blank space around text, images, and other design elements.

It’s also important to be consistent. Each section of your resume should follow the same format. Otherwise, recruiters may lose focus on your achievements.

Finally, choose a professional font. Avoid cursive or bubbly options, as they don’t always print well. A recruiter may also have difficulty deciphering text written in one of these fonts. Stick with Arial, Calibri or another tried-and-true favorite.

Keywords & ATS: Getting Past the Robots

Many companies use applicant-tracking systems (ATS) to automate their hiring processes. It’s possible for an ATS to scan a resume and decide whether to pass it to a human recruiter or reject it automatically. You don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity because you couldn’t make it past the ATS.

Improve your chances of making it to a human reviewer by including relevant keywords in your resume. To find relevant keywords, review the job description and the company website. Familiarize yourself with common industry terms and software packages. Sprinkle keywords throughout your resume to help the ATS understand that your background matches the minimum requirements for the job opening.

To ensure proper scanning, avoid using tables, columns, and fancy graphics. If possible, use a resume template optimized for ATS screening. Whatever you do, don’t try to trick an ATS by inserting dozens of keywords in white text.

Proofread Like a Pro: Avoiding Common Mistakes

Once you know how to make a good resume, don’t hurt your chances of landing a job by submitting a document riddled with errors. Proofread carefully to catch typos, missing punctuation, spelling mistakes, and other writing issues.

It can be tough to find your own errors, so have a trusted friend or family member read your resume before you start sending it out. If possible, ask someone who has experience in your preferred industry or role. They may be able to provide valuable advice on tailoring your resume for a specific position.

Spell-checking software is a helpful tool, but it’s not a replacement for manual proofreading. For example, if you use the wrong word in a sentence, spell-checking software won’t catch your mistake as long as the word is spelled correctly.

Bonus Tip: Sell Yourself in a Summary Statement

A summary statement appears on the top of your resume, so it should contain the most important information about your skills and experience. To write an effective summary statement, think about what you would want a recruiter to know about you in just a few seconds.

Include a mix of action verbs and adjectives to convince recruiters that you’re a great candidate. Example: “Sales professional with 7 years of experience and an average of $4.1 million per year in sales in the software industry. Highly adaptable and dedicated to providing ongoing support after every sale to increase customer retention rates.”

Your Resume: A Powerful Tool

A strong resume creates a powerful first impression. Make it easy for recruiters to learn more about you by highlighting your achievements, including relevant keywords, using a consistent format, and incorporating plenty of action words. Put these resume tips into action to find the job of your dreams. For additional guidance on crafting a stellar resume, visit CSU Global’s career development services for resume help, career coaching, interview preparation, and more. Additionally, through our Global Connect website, students can network with other students and alumni, connect with a mentor, and more.