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Enhance résumés for Indeed, Monster, Craigslist, LinkedIn jobs; custom industry help for what employers look for in résumés, cover letters; curriculum vitae (CV) format . Find Jobs / Résumés WFH freelancers on January 21, 2025 who work remotely. Read less
Crafting a resume that stands out requires a blend of insights from both academic institutions and industry professionals. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to write a resume, merging advice from colleges and professionals:
1. Understand Your Audience
Colleges: Tailor your resume for academic applications if needed, focusing on educational achievements, leadership roles, and academic projects.
Professionals: Know the industry you're targeting. Each field might value different aspects of your resume; for tech, highlight technical skills, whereas for creative fields, focus on your portfolio.
2. Choose the Right Resume Format
Chronological Resume: Preferred by many professionals for its straightforward timeline of work experience. Best for those with a steady career path.
Functional Resume: Focuses on skills rather than work history, ideal for career changers or those with gaps in employment. Some colleges recommend this for students with limited work experience.
Combination Resume: Merges elements of both, highlighting both skills and experience. Good for those with diverse backgrounds.
4. Write a Compelling Summary or Objective
Colleges: Might suggest an objective for students or recent graduates to outline career goals.
Professionals: Recommend a summary for experienced individuals, encapsulating your professional identity and key achievements.
Summary Example: "Proactive Marketing Manager with over 7 years of experience in driving brand growth through strategic digital campaigns."
Objective Example: "Recent graduate with a B.A. in Communications seeking an entry-level marketing position to leverage my skills in social media management."
5. Highlight Education
Colleges: Stress the inclusion of GPA, honors, relevant coursework, or projects.
Professionals: Focus on degrees relevant to the job, possibly omitting graduation dates to avoid age discrimination.
Example:
B.A. in Business Administration, XYZ University, GPA: 3.8
Relevant Coursework: Marketing Analytics, Consumer Behavior
6. Detail Your Experience
Colleges: Include internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer work. Use bullet points to describe responsibilities and achievements.
Professionals: Quantify your impact. Use action verbs to start each bullet point and focus on results.
Example:
Marketing Intern, ABC Corp (Summer 2023)
Developed and executed a social media campaign that increased engagement by 40%.
Assisted in market research, contributing to a 10% increase in targeted demographic reach.
7. Skills Section
Colleges: Emphasize both hard (like coding languages) and soft skills (like teamwork).
Professionals: Align skills with job requirements, using keywords from job descriptions for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) optimization.
Example:
Technical: SEO, Google Analytics, Adobe Illustrator
Soft: Leadership, Time Management, Communication
8. Additional Sections
Colleges: Recommend sections like Honors and Awards, Extracurricular Activities, or Relevant Projects.
Professionals: Suggest Certifications, Professional Affiliations, or Publications if applicable.
Example:
Certifications: Certified Digital Marketing Professional
Awards: Dean's List, Fall 2022
9. Formatting and Design
General Tips:
Use a clean, professional font (Arial, Times New Roman, etc.), size 10-12.
Keep margins at 1 inch, with consistent spacing.
Bold or capitalize headings for clarity.
Limit to one page unless you have substantial experience (professionals might suggest two for mid to senior-level roles).
10. Proofreading
Colleges: Stress the importance of peer reviews or visiting career centers for feedback.
Professionals: Recommend using tools like Grammarly, but also having someone else review for errors or inconsistencies.
11. Customization
Both colleges and professionals advocate for customizing your resume for each job application, focusing on relevant experiences and skills.
12. Use of Technology
Software: Use resume builders like Canva, Novoresume, or LinkedIn's resume builder for design help.
Online Resources: Indeed.com offers resume samples and tips.
Harvard Business Review often discusses resume strategies for professionals.
College career services websites provide templates and examples tailored for students.
Final Tips:
Keep it Concise: Employers spend little time on each resume; make important information stand out.
Be Honest: Never exaggerate or lie; you might need to discuss your resume in interviews.
Stay Updated: Regularly revise your resume as you gain new skills or experiences.
By blending these insights from colleges and professionals, you can create a resume that not only appeals to academic institutions for scholarships or internships but also to employers looking for competent candidates in various fields.