Rules for Resume Writing That Will Get You an Interview

Rules for Resume Writing That Will Get You an Interview

Rules for Resume Writing

Someone (the one who for the first time, having no experience) is trying to write a resume for job search, might think that there are no rules for writing a resume and whether there are mandatory recommendations. This is a big mistake.

Yes, there is no normative document (or obligatory resume writing tips) that would regulate the content and format of the document. But there is practice, there are long-established unwritten demands. And employers are guided by precisely these requirements. An illiterate resume is almost a 100% guarantee that this resume will either not be read by anyone, or will be read and rejected.

Therefore, before you start looking for work (not to mention contacts with a specific employer before the interview), you need to have at least a general idea of what a competently written resume is. In this case, the chances of a job seeker increase markedly.

So, where do you need to start to write a resume, if you want to find a job?

Explore other resumes for inspiration

There are dozens and even hundreds of different resume templates on the Internet. If you do not have your own experience writing a modern resume, you can – and even need to! – use professional resume examples at least as a resume advice. It is advisable to use not one sample, but several, and by comparison, choose the most suitable for you.

But you need to choose the best resume template skillfully. You should not take as a model a resume that is not related to your dream job. A general understanding of the resume format and resume templates is good, but it’s even better to use a sample for the specialty you are interested in or for a specific job.

This will allow you to write not just a modern resume, but write a winning resume (to fully reveal your advantages and achievements, to gently advertise yourself as the best candidate for this vacancy).

Choose a Resume Type

Resume type is not a format for your brief autobiography. The resume type is a resume format. In practice, three types of resume writing (cv) have long been formed: reverse chronological, functional, and combined. The last two formats are rarely used in solving specific problems.

The functional format is most often used by graduates of institutes who do not have the experience but have a theoretical basis that can attract the attention of a hiring manager.

The combined format is used when writing a resume if the employer announces a vacancy that combines both specialization, work experience, qualifications, and special knowledge (programs, devices, and so on).

The most common type of resume is the reverse chronological resume. You need to understand this literally: the last place of work is indicated first. This has a deep meaning: the hiring manager will see that the applicant is not unemployed, not a novice, but, on the contrary, an expert, has enough work experience to qualify for the announced vacancy.

Read a few more things that are important in the writing process below.

Choose the Right Font and Size

Verbosity is the hallmark of a talker. Bosses do not like talkers. In this case, you need to follow the motto: “Fewer words – more deeds!” In addition, we must always remember that there are a lot of those applying for a job, and there are very few who read their resume.

If you’re really busy with career planning, don’t neglect this resume advice!

Therefore, the optimal size of the chronological resume is one page of an A-4 format test. The maximum size is two pages, but keep in mind that this may make a bad impression on the hiring manager.

The font is of great importance: the eyes of the hiring manager will become familiar with your resume. So that they do not get tired, so that the manager reads your resume to the end, you need to choose the most common font and the most readable size. If you choose Times New Roman font and size 14 (minimum – 12) – you will make the right choice and you will not be mistaken! So: for headings – 14-16, for text – 12-14! This will be the perfect resume design. 

Use as few Resume Keywords as possible

Keywords in the resume are professional terms that characterize the specialty, the requirements for it, as well as professional skills that the applicant owns or should possess. Most often, these resume keywords are consistent with employer terminology.

Use keywords that employers are using in their job descriptions

In this case, keywords should be understood as the terminology that the potential employer uses himself in his internal documents (instructions, regulations, rules, orders). The use of these words by the applicant is likely to make a good impression on the employer. He will immediately see that he is not dealing with a beginner, but with a real professional, with whom they perfectly understand each other.

In addition, keywords are bait for search engines. The applicant will have a much greater chance that Internet users will notice his resume (and among them potential employers).

So the writing process is finished.

Proof Your Resume several times

Do not rush to submit a resume. First, you need to make sure that you wrote a winning resume. Check your resume format, your resume design, any grammatical errors in the text, and whether you wrote a cover letter. Checked? No mistakes? The text has everything you need, right? Nothing extra? Check again! And then again!

Resume Template

If you are not satisfied with the form of the written resume, you can use the ready-made template. The main thing is that this template is structurally close to the vacancy that you are applying for. There are many templates on the Internet – for every taste. But it is better to use resume templates as a model and guideline, and write a resume yourself.