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How to make your resume shine
Leading practices and tips
Creating a resume can be a daunting task, but with the right preparation, you can craft a document that effectively showcases your skills, experience, and accomplishments. Whether you're just starting your career or you’re an experienced professional looking to make a change, this guide can help you get started on the right foot.
Before you start updating your resume
Before diving into writing your resume, consider a few preparatory steps. First, get focused and ready to clearly articulate key points relevant to the role you are targeting. Start by jotting down your relevant experiences and skills. Reflect on your career achievements and note them down. Additionally, it's important to understand what employers are looking for by reading through job postings, skills, and keyword lists. This research can help you tailor your resume to match the expectations of the role.
Key information to include on your resume
The content of your resume will vary depending on where you are in your career. For campus hires, it's important to highlight any relevant internships and leadership positions you held while in school. Including volunteer work or community involvement can also make a positive impression. If your GPA is over 3.2, be sure to include it. Remember to keep your resume concise and limited to one page.
“The main thing I tell my candidates to be prepared for is to speak to anything that's on your resume credited to you as the leader. You need to be able to speak to those items in detail and not be afraid to get technical with your answer,” says Katie Egan, senior experienced hire recruiting specialist at Deloitte Services LP.
A well-crafted resume is an opportunity for you to focus on your accomplishments. Quantifying your achievements can make an impact. For example, you might mention that you earned the highest performance rating by exceeding goals, surpassed sales goals by 25% year over year, or designed and implemented a new process that resulted in a 20% cost savings for the firm.
Bryce Turkheimer, campus recruiting specialist at Deloitte Services LP, says: “On the entry-level side of things, I would say just own where you are in life. Just because your resume isn't packed with work experience doesn't mean that you don't have relevant experience to showcase. Your school projects or volunteer work that you took a lead role in may all be relevant experiences, even if they're not something that you're getting paid for. Through these experiences, you have opportunities to grow your resume in ways you probably didn't think were there.”
Making your resume stand out
To help your resume catch the eye of recruiters, consider a few key tips. Formatting is crucial; use bullets instead of paragraphs and maintain a clean format without fancy fonts. Customize your resume to match the job description by including relevant keywords and skills, without lying or stretching the truth. Make sure to always use action verbs when describing experiences. Consider including any awards or performance recognitions to highlight your achievements.
The relevance of cover letters
While many organizations don't require cover letters, having one ready may be beneficial. A well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from other equally qualified candidates. If you do submit a cover letter, keep it brief. Include an introduction of yourself and your skills, a summary of your experience, and an explanation of why you want to work for their organization and why you are passionate about the role/opportunity.
The importance of feedback
Before you finalize your resume, it's important to have it reviewed by someone else. A fresh perspective can catch errors you might have missed and provide valuable feedback on the overall presentation and content. Consider asking a mentor, colleague, or professional in your field to review your resume. They can offer insights on how to better highlight your strengths and suggest improvements that can make your resume more compelling. Feedback from others can be invaluable in ensuring your resume is polished and professional.
Prepare and succeed!
These guidelines can help you create a resume that highlights your qualifications and stands out to potential employers. In turn, the process of preparing your resume can help guide and prepare you for a potential interview.
“When you go into an interview, be sure you can speak fully to your resume and have a few examples of challenges you faced, explaining various scenarios where you relied on teamwork, and other examples of facing adversity and where you were able to find success,” says Sophia Fanucchi, Campus Recruiting Specialist at Deloitte Services LP. “Preparation is key, so take the time to gather your thoughts, research, and tailor your resume to the job you are applying for. Good luck!”
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