60-Minute Resume Makeover: How to Create a Killer Resume that Stands Out in the Job Market
A strong resume is essential for standing out in the job market. It is the first impression that a hiring manager has of a candidate and it can make or break their chances of getting an interview. In this article, we'll be discussing a step-by-step formula for creating a killer resume. The best part? You can apply these steps while reading the article to make your own resume stand out.
Step 1: Choose the Right Format [ Time required: 5 minutes]
When it comes to creating a resume that stands out, the first step is to choose the right format. While there are many different types of resumes, a simple format is often the best choice. They are more readable and hiring managers are habituated to reading them very often. You can get those formats from the Yale or Harvard university website for free..
Actionable: Take a few minutes to download the simple resume format and begin using it as the foundation for your own resume.
Step 2: Define Sections [ Time required: 5 minutes]
Once you have chosen a format, the next step is to define the sections of your resume. Some sections are mandatory, such as basic details, work experience, skill set, and academics, while others are optional and should be used only if relevant to your situation. Some examples of optional sections include research publications, extra-curricular activities, projects, internships, certifications, and volunteering experiences.
Actionable: Take a few minutes to review the various sections that are available. Pick the mandatory sections and 2-3 optional sections that are most relevant to your own situation and add them to your resume.
Step 3: Fill in the Sections Using Bullet Points Starting with Powerful Action Verbs [ Time required: 30 minutes]
Now that you have defined the sections of your resume, it is time to start filling in the details. One of the most important things to keep in mind is to use bullet points starting with powerful action verbs. Action verbs tell the reader exactly what your contribution was, and they help to clearly communicate your qualifications and experiences. In addition, be sure to include impact in each bullet point. Impact refers to numbers, statistics, or other concrete examples that demonstrate your achievements.
Examples:
‘Data automation project associate for project work’ becomes ‘Reduced manual efforts by 15% to retrieve data records from the repository using automation’
‘Coordinator of Analytica, Analytics event, Amity University’ becomes ‘Organized 3 interuniversity level events on Analytics and Data Science, 3 lacs budget, 2019’
Actionable: Take 30s minutes to reflect upon each section. Write down the ideas. Finally, rewrite the content in 1-liner bullet points starting with action verbs, and with impact in each section.
Step 4: Get the Formatting, Grammar, and Presentation Right [ Time required: 10 minutes]
At this point, you will have a great deal of content in your resume, but it may not look as polished as you would like. To ensure your resume is clean and easy to read, use tools like Grammarly to check grammar, clarity, and concision in your writing. In addition, be sure to check font size, font type, spacing, and other formatting elements to make sure your resume looks professional and presentable. Here is a quick guideline:
Font size - ~11, 12
Font type - Arial, Helvetica, Georgia, Calibri, Cambria. Use single font across the resume.
Line spacing - 3
Actionable: Take a few minutes to use tools like Grammarly to check your grammar. Review the formatting, font type, and size. Make any necessary adjustments to give your resume a polished and professional look.
Step 5: Customize Your Resume for Each Job Description [ Time required: 5 minutes]
Actionable: You've done half the work by creating a great resume, but it's not enough. You’ll have to tailor your resume for each job description to hit the bullseye. This can seem like a tedious task, but it doesn't have to be. By doing a quick keyword optimization, you can easily customize your resume for each job you apply for. Remember, the resume is not for you, it's for the hiring manager who created the job description. A word cloud of your resume can help you compare it with the word cloud of the job description and add words that will match the JD.
Actionable: Take a few minutes to create a word cloud of your resume and then compare it to the word cloud of the job description. Use any word cloud generator tool available on the web. Add words to your resume that match the job description and apply.
Bonus tip: Send the resume along with a cover letter [ Time required: 5 minutes]
Finally, don't forget to include a cover letter with your resume. A cover letter is a great way to personalize your application and make it stand out. You can use ChatGPT to create a unique cover letter that complements your resume. Simply copy the job description and create a cover letter using ChatGPT. Then, refine it by pasting your resume into the input field of ChatGPT. This will give you a cover letter that is tailored to your specific qualifications and experience.
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