Part 1:

We are doing a set of blogs to help you get the most out of your Resume or Curriculum Vitae as you might call it. Make sure you stay tuned for the next set of tips…

THE BASICS – Gather your thoughts so you can make a start.

It’s not easy writing a resume/CV in fact it can be daunting as there is so much resting on this simple yet important few pages document. When recalling back when I began my career, I remember staring at the computer screen or even my notepad thinking… what should I write? What layout should I use, and where and on what dates did I work at that company? How do I make my resume noticeable and yet not brag? How do I make my skills stand out, so someone will read my resume properly so that it doesn’t end up in the “NO” pile?

As an experienced Recruiter since 2004 working for both large global recruitment companies and small boutique agencies there isn’t much, I haven’t seen in terms of employers wanting staff and the application resumes arriving to apply for the roles. So, how do you stand out from the crowd? When you have the tools and know how the entire process works it is much less stressful. In fact, it’s an easy task when given a few tips and guidelines from someone on the other side who has read many a resume.

Layout

There are several types of Resume/CV layouts

• Chronological – list your employment history in reverse order with the most recent job first (longevity in roles)
• Functional – Focusing on experience and a list of relevant skills (if your employment history has gaps or short stints)
• Combination – Covers BOTH the options above to supply absolute clarity.

Personal Details

• Your name should be prominent in a larger font. Include your residential address, contact number, email, website, or link to your portfolio. Information such as marital status, children, ethnicity, and religious beliefs should not be included.
• Professional summary/ Objective. A brief statement describing your highlighted skills, supply insight into your ability that makes you the best choice and the best fit.
• Keep content relevant – consider how far you should go back perhaps up to five jobs or approximately the last 12 years if relevant.

Essential Information:

• Date range of employment
• Company name and location
• Job title
• Main responsibilities – focusing on the tasks that are relevant to the type of role you are applying for.
• Qualifications – registrations, professional courses, and education should also be in chronological order.
• References – always ensure you have asked the referee whether they are happy to receive a call about your work history. Make sure your referee is someone senior that you reported to, someone who can comment on the quality of your work.

Follow our set-by-step series on how to win that interview and If you looking for a way to get ahead. Contact us at Arcadia Recruitment today, check out our jobs to find out how we can help if you are in our looking for a role within our specialization.