By: A student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, as part of Heather Nelson's Service Learning class.
When applying for a job, most companies would like you to send in a resume and cover letter. Creating a resume can seem daunting and overwhelming. After all, recruiters only spend maybe 10 seconds glancing at your resume before deciding if they want to throw it in the trash or keep it. Creating a resume that is professional and has these specific elements can help you stand out from the rest of your peers.
Here are 5 tips on how to create a successful resume that stands out from your competition.
1. Format
The format of a resume is the style, font, size, and order in which information is organized on your resume. It is key to keep the visual appeal simple and professional. It is also important to keep your resume to one page. If your resume is any longer, recruiters and managers tend to skip over it. Keeping it professional, simple, and to one page allows managers to skim the highlights without missing any important information.
2. Give up to date contact information
In a resume, it is standard to add your contact information. Typically, this consists of your full name, phone number, and email. Make sure your email address sounds professional and not a silly one you created in the 5th grade. It is also important to make sure your contact information is current and up to date. That way you won’t miss a phone call or email from a future employer.
3. Include hard and soft skills
Adding a section with hard and soft skills on your resume can help you stand out as a candidate. Hard skills are technical job specific skills and abilities that are typically learned through education or training. Computer coding, proficiency in Microsoft, photo editing, and heavy machine operating are some of the many examples you can put when it comes to hard skills.
Soft skills are more character traits and people skills that will affect your work. Communication, flexibility, organization, conflict resolution, and working with others are some examples of soft skills. It is important to be honest about your skill set because if you get the job, your manager is expecting you to be proficient in these skills.
4.Tailor your Resume to the specific job
When crafting a resume, you want to tailor and adjust to each specific job you are applying for. Add skill sets that are geared towards that specific job. For example, if you are applying for a reception position at a company add skills sets that fit that position. Communication, Microsoft, and typing proficiency are all good job skills to add on your resume that is specific to that job position.
5. Proofread your resume before submitting it
Before submitting your resume for a job, it is important that you proofread it. Check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and sentence fluency. If there are many grammatical mistakes or spelling errors, it can cause your resume to look and sound unprofessional
If you follow these tips it can help your resume stand out from the rest of your competition. After all, this is your opportunity to leave a great first impression on your future employers.
For more information on resume building and seeking a career change, come visit the Level-Up Labor Day Career Fair.
On Saturday, September 3rd from 11am-3pm at the Gene Leahy Mall, Freedomtainment will host the Level Up Career Fair for individuals that are ready to "level-up" or step up to a next level job, connect with Omaha area employers and resource providers. For more information and to register for the event, go to: www.tinyurl.com/LevelUpCareerFair
The family-friendly event will include free lunch* and a Tailgate Watch Party at 2:30pm to cheer on the Nebraska Huskers as they play North Dakota.
*while supplies last