DESIGN:
Make an attractive design that catches employer’s eye. The employers may not have the time to read through each of your job descriptions to conclude if you have the skills that are required for the job. So effectively brand yourself by highlighting the most important information like your work experience, skills and education.
Titles and Headings:
Believe it or not, employers will usually make a judgment about your resume in just 5 seconds. Always use job titles and headings that perfectly match the job you are applying for. Descriptive titles and headings when used appropriately grab employer’s attention and will generate you more interviews and higher salary offers.
Font:
In order to make your resume aesthetically easy-to-read:
1. Font size should be between 10 and 12.
2. Font type should be Times New Roman, Arial or New Century Schoolbook.
3. Use one larger font size for main headings and a smaller font size for subheadings and a completely different font for the body of your text.
4. Keep sentences as short, simple and direct as possible.
5. Font size should be consistent throughout the resume.
6. Margins should be at least .5 on the top and bottom and .7 on the left and right.
Paragraph:
The most important information should be kept on the first line of a paragraph. Confine your writing to not more than six lines in any paragraph. Start a new section or a new paragraph if more content is to be added.
Grammar:
Your resume needs to be grammatically perfect. Otherwise the employers will draw not-so-flattering conclusions about you. Also make sure there are no spelling mistakes on the resume.
Numbering:
Quantifying your achievements and responsibilities by using numbers greatly elevates your image. To strengthen this image, insert as many “management oriented” words as possible into your resume.
Length:
The length of an entry-level graduate’s resume should be limited to one page. If it is extended to the next page then it should fill at least 1/3 of the second page. A two-page resume does not need to be stapled unless you are attending a job fair, but your contact information should be included at the top of the second page.
Contact Information: Your contact information should be placed at the beginning of the resume. It should include your name, street address, city, state, zip code, phone number and email address that are currently in use. In case your current address and permanent address are different, it is always recommended to include both on your resume.
Objective: This section of the resume is job-specific and contains career plan statement of the applicant in relation to what the employer or company wants. It should consist of 1-3 sentences and should be in such a way that the employer will be interested to read the resume further. Do not include broad and complex phrases because it may cause the interviewer to doubt or just be bored of reading it.
Strengths: Always try to connect your strengths with real life and work experiences instead of creating a long and boring list with all your qualities (such as disciplined, creative, determined etc.
Education: This information is most useful in the resume of entry level candidates and recent graduates. Brief your educational background starting with the highest degree including elements such as the name of the institution you have studied in, subjects you have studied, year of passing, aggregate you have scored, scholarships or fellowships, courses or seminars you have attended, project work and notable achievements. Job seekers with work experience can place their “Education” section below their “Work Experience” section. Include your current degree program and anticipated graduation date, if you are still graduating.
Work Experience: Provide an overview of your work experience with each position you have held, employer, position title and dates of employment. Include a brief description of your position, roles and responsibilities, achievements and accomplishments.
Computer Skills: It is essential to mention your computer skills on your resume, however short the list may be. It is highly recommended to do so as a certain level of computer knowledge is mandatory in today’s job world. Listing the programs individually would be helpful rather than naming them as a package as the employer often conducts a keyword search for a specific program.
Activities/Honors/Professional Memberships: List out all notable professional activities, honors/rewards received and memberships availed either combined or separately to highlight your dedication towards your profession or zeal to learn and develop professionally.
Languages: In this section include your mother tongue and additional languages you know accompanied by your level of proficiency. Indicate your fluency level of spoken, written and reading skills using the following criteria:
1. Basic knowledge,
2. Working knowledge,
3. Fluent or
4. Excellent knowledge.
Research and Publications: Include all of your significant research projects/papers and publications in your resume if they pertain to the job you are applying for. If there is a vast list of publications, state that the list of publications will be available on request.
Hobbies or interests: This section should consist of a brief (2-4 items) list. Remember to keep your hobbies related to your field of work such as travel, personal investing, professional blogs and non-professional clubs that relate to the career area.
Additional Information: Add any additional information that you feel is necessary and relevant for that particular job.
A cover letter is a letter of introduction attached to your resume or CV to introduce yourself to potential employers and explain your aptness for the desired position. A cover letter
-markets your skills and conveys your interest in the company
-provide additional keywords that target the employer’s needs
-showcase your communication skills
-catch the employer’s immediate interest
Always tailor your cover letter for the job you are applying for and make sure it should be no longer than 1 page. Given below are some points that should be explained in your cover letter:
? Why you are sending your resume?
? What do you know about the company and the position you are applying for?
? Why you are interested in the position?
? Why the company should consider you for the position, drawing on your education, skills and employment experience.
Proof read everything to avoid spelling and grammar errors.
1. Make your resume easy to read by simply scanning (not reading) your resume.
2. Arrange each section in reverse chronological order with most recent experiences listed first and least recent experiences listed last.
3. Keep your resume to one page, unless you have substantial working experience.
4. Always prioritize the content of your resume according to the job you want.
5. Bullets should begin with action verbs and be in phrases, not sentences.
6. Mention your willingness to relocate or travel as they are appealing factors to many employers.
7. Include your work status information such as citizenship, visa or residency status.
8. Use correct verb tense while describing your roles and responsibilities.
9. A flawless resume is essential. Proofread your resume at least thrice to make it error free.
10. Make sure that key words for your field are used in your resume.
DONT’S OF YOUR RESUME WRITING:
1. Never use resume templates. Try to create your own document that is both appealing and easily readable.
2. Do not use abbreviations except for GPA (for your undergraduate institution), and academic degrees (M.Tech, MBA etc)
3. Avoid extraneous information.
4. Don’t include “references available on request” on your resume. Instead, put your references on a separate document (with the same heading as your resume) with not more than 3-5 professional references, their titles and contact information.
5. Do not rely completely on Spell Checker. Manually check each and every section of your resume to minimize errors.
6. Do not use personal pronouns such as “I.” Instead write in the first person.
7. Do not split names and phrases between lines or sections between pages.
8. Do not include personal information such as birth date, sex, marital status, ethnicity, religion, marital status, social security or license or certificate number on your resume.
9. Do not include salary information on your resume. In case the employer requests a “salary history” or “salary requirements,” include the salary range you are seeking in your cover letter.
10. Do not embellish your resume. Make it truthful.
Action verbs are used in a resume to represent jobseeker’s skills and accomplishments—which are key components in creating a powerful and attractive resume. It is important to include these words at the beginning of your bullet points and accomplishment-based statements to make your resume more impressive. We organized a list of action verbs by general skill categories with their meaning. The verbs given below have more than one meaning. Though the meaning given here is with respect to resume writing, be sure to check all the meanings of the verbs before using them.
- Communication/People Skills [+/-]
• Advertised: To make public announcement of, especially to proclaim the qualities or advantages of (a product or business) so as to increase sales
• Arbitrated: Reach an authoritative judgment or settlement
• Arranged: To put into a specific order or relation
• Articulated: Expressed; put into words
• Authored: Be the originator of; create
• Clarified: To make clear or easier to understand
• Collaborated: Work jointly on an activity, esp. to produce or create something
• Communicated: Share or exchange information, news, or ideas
• Composed: Having one’s feelings and expression under control;
• Condensed: Make (something) denser or more concentrated
• Conferred: Have discussions; exchange opinions
• Consulted: Seek information or advice from (someone with expertise)
• Contacted: Communicate with (someone), typically in order to give or receive specific information.
• Conveyed: Make (an idea, impression, or feeling) known or understandable to someone.
• Convinced: To bring by the use of argument or evidence to firm belief or a course of action
• Corresponded: Have a close similarity; match or agree almost exactly
• Debated: Argue about (a subject), esp. in a formal manner.
• Defined: To state the precise meaning of
• Developed: to bring out the capabilities or possibilities of;
• Directed: subject to supervision or regulation
• Discussed: Talk about (something) with another person or group of people.
• Drafted: to draw the outlines or plan of;
• Edited: Prepare (written material) for publication by correcting, condensing, or otherwise modifying it.
• Elicited: Evoke or draw out (a response or fact) from someone by actions or questions
• Enlisted: To engage the support or cooperation of
• Explained: To make plain or clear
• Expressed: Convey (a thought or feeling) in words or by gestures and conduct
• Formulated: Express (an idea) in a concise or systematic way
• Furnished: provide or furnish with
• Incorporated: United into one body; combined.
• Influenced: Have an influence on
• Interacted: Act in such a way as to have an effect on another; act reciprocally
• Interpreted: To explain the meaning of:
• Interviewed: A conversation, such as one conducted by a reporter, in which facts or statements are elicited from another.
• Involved: Connected or concerned with someone or something
• Joined: Become linked or connected to
• Judged: Form an opinion or conclusion about
• Lectured: Deliver an educational lecture or lectures
• Listened: take notice of and act on what someone says
• Marketed: Advertise or promote (something)
• Mediated: intervene in (a dispute) to bring about an agreement
• Moderated: Make or become less extreme, intense, rigorous, or violent.
• Negotiated: Try to reach an agreement or compromise by discussion with others
• Observed: Notice or perceive (something) and register it as being significant
• Outlined: Give a summary of (something)
• Participated: Take part.
• Persuaded: Cause (someone) to believe something, esp. after a sustained effort
• Presented: Give something to (someone) formally or ceremonially.
• Promoted: Further the progress of (something, esp. a cause, venture, or aim); support or actively encourage.
• Proposed: Put forward (an idea or plan) for consideration or discussion by others
• Publicized: Make (something) widely known
• Reconciled: Cause to coexist in harmony; make or show to be compatible.
• Recruited: Form (a force) by enlisting new people
• Referred: To direct the attention or thoughts of
• Reinforced: make stronger or more pronounced
• Reported: To give an oral or written account of in some detail
• Resolved: Firmly determined to do something.
• Responded: Say something in reply
• Restructured: Organize differently
• Solicited: Ask for or try to obtain (something) from someone.
• Specified: Identify clearly and definitely
• Spoke: To communicate or have a conversation
• Suggested: Put forward for consideration
• Summarized: Give a brief statement of the main points of
• Synthesized: combination of two or more entities that together form something new
• Translated: The act or process of translating, especially from one language into another
• Wrote: Have the ability to mark coherent letters or words in this way
- Creative skills: [+/-]
• Adapted: Make (something) suitable for a new use or purpose; modify.
• Began: perform or undergo the first part of (an action or activity
• Composed: Having one’s feelings and expression under control; calm
• Conceptualized: Form a concept or idea of (something)
• Customized: To make or alter to individual or personal specifications
• Designed: To create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan
• Developed: To bring out the capabilities or possibilities of
• Displayed: Make a prominent exhibition of (something) in a place where it can be easily seen.
• Established: Having been in existence for a long time and therefore generally accepted.
• Fashioned: Make into a particular form.
• Formulated: Create or devise methodically
• Founded: Establish or originate
• Illustrated: To clarify, as by use of examples or comparisons
• Initiated: Cause (a process or action) to begin
• Instituted: Set in motion or establish
• Integrated: combining or coordinating separate elements
• Introduced: Bring (something, esp. a product, measure, or concept) into use or operation for the first time.
• Invented: To create, think up
• Modeled: Fashion or shape
• Modified: To change in form or character; alter
• Originated: Have a specified beginning:
• Performed: Carry out, accomplish, or fulfill
• Planned: A scheme, program, or method
• Revised: Re-examine and make alterations to
• Revitalized: Imbue (something) with new life and vitality
• Shaped: To give a particular form to; create.
• Solved: To find a solution to
- Data/Financial Skills [+/-]
• Adjusted: Alter or move (something) slightly in order to achieve the desired fit
• Allocated: Distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose
• Analyzed: Examine methodically and in detail the constitution or structure of
• Appraised: Assess the value or quality of
• Assessed: Evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of
• Balanced: In equilibrium
• Budgeted: Allow or provide for in a budget
• Calculated: planned or contrived to accomplish a purpose
• Computed: Calculate or reckon (a figure or amount).
• Corrected: Put right (an error or fault).
• Determined: Having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it.
• Estimated: Roughly calculate or judge the value, number, quantity, or extent of.
• Forecasted: Predict or estimate (a future event or trend).
• Managed: To direct or control the use of; handle
• Marketed: Advertise or promote (something)
• Measured: Having a slow, regular rhythm
• Planned: To formulate a scheme or program for the accomplishment, enactment, or attainment of
• Prepared: To make things or oneself ready
• Programmed: To design a program for; schedule the activities of
• Projected: To calculate, estimate, or predict (something in the future), based on present data or trends
• Qualified: Having the appropriate qualifications for an office, position, or task.
• Reconciled: To settle or resolve
• Researched: To study (something) thoroughly so as to present in a detailed, accurate manner
• Retrieved: To get back; regain
- Helping Skills [+/-]
• Advocated: Publicly recommend or support:
• Aided: Help, assist, or support (someone or something) in the achievement of something.
• Arranged: To put into a specific order or relation
• Assessed: Evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of
• Assisted: Help (someone), typically by doing a share of the work.
• Clarified: to free of confusion
• Collaborated: Work jointly on an activity, esp. to produce or create something.
• Contributed: Help to cause or bring about.
• Counseled: Give advice to (someone).
• Demonstrated: Clearly show the existence or truth of (something) by giving proof or evidence.
• Encouraged: Give support, confidence, or hope to (someone
• Ensured: Make certain that (something) shall occur or be the case
• Expedited: Make (an action or process) be accomplished more quickly.
• Facilitated: To make easy or easier
• Familiarized: Give (someone) knowledge or understanding of something
• Furthered: Help the progress or development of (something)
• Guided: One who shows the way by leading, directing, or advising
• Intervened: Come between so as to prevent or alter a result or course of events.
• Motivated: To provide with an incentive; move to action
• Prevented: Keep (something) from happening or arising:
• Referred: To direct to a source for help or information
• Rehabilitated: Restore (someone) to former privileges or reputation after a period of critical or official disfavor.
• Represented: Be entitled or appointed to act or speak for (someone), esp. in an official capacity.
• Resolved: Firmly determined to do something.
• Simplified: To reduce in complexity or extent
• Supported: Bear all or part of the weight of; hold up
• Volunteered: Freely offer to do something.
- Management/Leadership Skills [+/-]
• Analyzed: Examine methodically and in detail the constitution or structure of
• Appointed: Decided on beforehand; designated.
• Approved: Officially agree to or accept as satisfactory
• Assigned: Allocate (a job or duty)
• Attained: Succeed in achieving
• Authorized: Give official permission for or approval to
• Chaired: Act as chairperson of or preside over
• Consolidated: To unite into one system or whole
• Contracted: Decrease in size, number, or range.
• Controlled: To exercise authoritative or dominating influence over
• Converted: To change (something) into another form
• Coordinated: To bring the different elements of (a complex activity or organization) into a relationship that will ensure efficiency or harmony.
• Decided: Having clear opinions; resolute.
• Delegated: Send or authorize (someone) to do something as a representative.
• Eliminated: Completely remove or get rid of (something).
• Emphasized: Lay stress on (a word or phrase) when speaking
• Enforced: To compel observance of or obedience to
• Enhanced: Intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of.
• Established: (of a custom, belief, practice, or institution) having been in existence for a long time and therefore generally accepted.
• Executed: Carry out or put into effect (a plan, order, or course of action).
• Generated: Cause (something, esp. an emotion or situation) to arise or come about
• Handled: To touch, lift, or hold with the hands
• Headed: Be in the leading position on.
• Hired: To engage the services of (a person) for a fee
• Incorporated: United into one body(combined)
• Initiated: Cause (a process or action) to begin
• Inspected: To examine officially
• Instituted: Set in motion or establish
• Merged: Combine or cause to combine to form a single entity, esp. a commercial organization.
• Motivated: To provide with an incentive; move to action
• Navigated: To steer, direct, or manage
• Organized: Functioning within a formal structure, as in the coordination and direction of activities
• Originated: Have a specified beginning
• Overhauled: Take apart (a piece of machinery or equipment) in order to examine it and repair it if necessary
• Oversaw: Supervise (a person or work), esp. in an official capacity.
• Presided: Be in charge of (a place or situation)
• Prioritized: Designate or treat (something) as more important than other things
• Recommended: Advise or suggest (something) as a course of action.
• Reorganized: Change the way in which (something) is organized
• Restored: Bring back; reinstate.
• Reviewed: To inspect; to examine; to reconsider
• Scheduled: Included in or planned according to a schedule.
• Secured: Fix or attach (something) firmly so that it cannot be moved or lost.
• Streamlined: Reduced to essentials; lacking anything extra
• Strengthened: Make or become stronger
• Supervised: Observe and direct the execution of (a task, project, or activity)
• Terminated: Bring to an end
- Organizational Skills [+/-]
• Catalogued: Make a systematic list of (items of the same type).
• Categorized: Place in a particular class or group.
• Collected: Gathered together
• Compiled: Produce (something, esp. a list, report, or book) by assembling information collected from other sources.
• Corrected: Put right (an error or fault).
• Corresponded: Have a close similarity; match or agree almost exactly.
• Diversified: To give variety to
• Executed: To put into effect; carry out
• Filed: To put or keep (papers, for example) in useful order for storage or reference
• Generated: Cause (something, esp. an emotion or situation) to arise or come about
• Logged: Enter (an incident or fact)
• Maintained: Cause or enable (a condition or state of affairs) to continue
• Monitored: Observe and check the progress or quality of (something) over a period of time; keep under systematic review.
• Obtained: Get, acquire, or secure (something)
• Operated: Control the functioning of
• Ordered: Give an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
• Organized: Functioning within a formal structure, as in the coordination and direction of activities
• Prepared: Make (something) ready for use or consideration
• Processed: A series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result
• Reserved: Held in reserve; kept back or set aside.
• Responded: Say something in reply.
• Reviewed: to examine, study
• Scheduled: Included in or planned
• Submitted: Accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority or will of another person.
• Supplied: To make available for use; provide
• Standardized: To cause to conform
• Systematized: Arrange according to an organized system
• Validated: Check or prove the validity or accuracy of (something).
• Verified: To prove the truth of by presentation of evidence
- Research Skills [+/-]
• Compared: To examine in order to note the similarities or differences of
• Conducted: To lead or guide
• Critiqued: To review or discuss critically
• Detected: To learn something hidden and often improper about
• Determined: Decided or resolved
• Diagnosed: To distinguish or identify (a disease, for example) by diagnosis
• Evaluated: To ascertain or fix the value or worth of
• Examined: To study or analyze
• Experimented: an attempt at something new or different; an effort to be original
• Explored: To investigate systematically; examine
• Extracted: To deduce or develop
• Formulated: To express in systematic terms or concepts Gathered
• Inspected: To examine carefully and critically, especially for flaws
• Interviewed: To obtain an interview from
• Invented: To produce (something previously unknown) by the use of ingenuity or imagination
• Investigated: To make a detailed inquiry or systematic examination
• Located: To place at a certain location; station or situate
• Measured: Calculated; deliberate
• Organized: To plan and control on a large scale and involving many people
• Researched: To study (something) thoroughly so as to present in a detailed, accurate manner
• Reviewed: to examine, study
• Searched: To make a thorough examination of; look over carefully in order to find something; explore
• Solved: To find a solution to
• Summarized: Give a brief statement of the main points of
• Surveyed: To inspect carefully; scrutinize
• Systematized: Arrange according to an organized system
• Tested: To determine the presence or properties of (a substance)
- Teaching Skills [+/-]
• Advised: Thought out; considered
• Clarified: to free of confusion
• Coached: To train or tutor or to act as a trainer or tutor
• Communicated: To have an interchange, as of ideas
• Conducted: To lead or guide
• Coordinated: To work together harmoniously
• Critiqued: To review or discuss critically
• Developed: To improve the quality of; refine
• Enabled: To make operational; activate
• Encouraged: To inspire with hope, courage, or confidence; hearten
• Evaluated: To ascertain or fix the value or worth of
• Explained: To increase the size, volume, quantity, or scope of; enlarge
• Facilitated: To make easy or easier
• Focused: To direct toward a particular point or purpose
• Guided: To serve as a guide for; conduct
• Individualized: To give individuality to
• Informed: Knowledgeable; educated
• Instilled: To introduce by gradual, persistent efforts; implant
• Instructed: To provide with knowledge, especially in a methodical way
• Motivated: To provide with an incentive; move to action; impel
• Persuaded: To induce to undertake a course of action or embrace a point of view by means of argument, reasoning, or entreaty
• Simulated: Made in resemblance of or as a substitute for another
• Stimulated: To increase temporarily the activity of
• Taught: To impart knowledge or skill to
• Tested: To determine the presence or properties of (a substance)
• Trained: To make proficient with specialized instruction and practice
• Transmitted: To pass along (news or information); communicate
• Tutored: To act as a tutor to; instruct or teach privately
- Technical Skills [+/-]
• Applied: Put into practice or a particular use
• Assembled: To bring or call together into a group or whole
• Built: made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
• Calculated: To make an estimate of; evaluate
• Computed: To determine an amount or number
• Conserved: To protect from loss or harm; preserve
• Constructed: something formulated or built systematically
• Converted: To change (something) from one use, function, or purpose to another; adapt to a new or different purpose
• Debugged: To search for and eliminate malfunctioning elements or errors in
• Designed: To make or execute plans
• Determined: Decided or resolved
• Developed: To improve the quality of; refine
• Engineered: To plan, manage, and put through by skillful acts or contrivance; maneuver
• Fabricated: To make; create
• Fortified: To strengthen and secure (a position) with fortifications
• Installed: To connect or set in position and prepare for use
• Maintained: To keep up or carry on; continue
• Operated: Control the functioning of
• Overhauled: Take apart (a piece of machinery or equipment) in order to examine it and repair it if necessary
• Printed: To impress firmly in the mind or memory
• Programmed: To design a program for; schedule the activities of
• Rectified: To set right; correct
• Regulated: To adjust (a mechanism) for accurate and proper functioning
• Remodeled: to change or alter the structure, style, or form of (something)
• Repaired: To set right; remedy
• Replaced: To put back into a former position or place
• Restored: Bring back; reinstate
• Solved: To find a solution to
• Specialized: To give a particular character or function to
• Standardized: To cause to conform
• Studied: Learned; knowledgeable
• Upgraded: To raise to a higher grade or standard
• Utilized: To put to use, especially to find a profitable or practical use for.
கருத்துரையிடுக Facebook Disqus