Creating an Effective Resume in 4 Easy Steps

Posted on May 29, 2014 at 6:00 am

by Julianne T.

Creating an effective resume to enhance your chances of getting that interview can be a daunting experience. So how do you ensure your resume will climb to the top of the pile? Here are four tips to help you create a solid and impressive resume:

1. Use effective titles

Like it or not, employers will usually make a judgment about your resume in 5 seconds. As a result, the most important aspect are the titles you list on the resume, so make sure they are attention grabbers. Try to be as descriptive as possible, giving the employer a good idea about the nature of your past work experiences. For example, Bad title: Accounting; Good title: Management of A/R and A/P Processes

2. Make sure to use the right keywords

Most companies use software to search for candidates, which mean the HR department will run searches based on specific keywords. Guess what? If your resume doesn’t have the right keywords related to the job you are applying for, you will be out even before the game begins. Check the job description and related job ads for a clue on what the employer might be looking for.

3. Use bullet points

No employer will have the time (or patience) to read long paragraphs of text. Make sure to use bullet points and short sentences to describe your experience, educational background, and professional objectives.

4. Proofread it twice

It is critically important to proofread your resume. One small typo and your chances of getting an interview could slip. Proofreading it once is not enough, so do it twice, three times or as many times as necessary. Connect with a job coach using JobNow in our Digital Library. They will give you immediate feedback in a live chat from 2-10pm or you can upload your resume to get feedback the next day.

Tags: digital library, jobnow, jobs