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Resume 101 : How to Write a Resume

Updated: Aug 28, 2023


Laptop screen displaying sample resume

Your resume is your calling card in the professional world, and its quality can make all the difference. If you’re new to the job market, this how-to guide will be perfect to get you started.


1. The Professional Introduction: Contact Information

Start off your resume with a clear photo of yourself and your contact details. Include your full name, phone number, email address, address and your LinkedIn profile (yes, you need a LinkedIn profile).


2. The Elevator Pitch: Crafting a Compelling Summary

Your opening summary is your chance to shine right from the start. Condense your skills, experience, and suitability for the role in a short yet impactful paragraph. This is your opportunity to showcase your value in a concise manner.


3. Highlighting Your Skills: The Core Competencies

Now, spotlight your skill set. Include your technical abilities and soft skills – think teamwork, leadership, and communication. Additionally, if you possess relevant certifications or are multilingual, include these qualifications to boost your resume.


4. Tracing Your Career Path: Work History

List your work history in chronological order, starting with your most recent role. Include the company names, your positions, and the corresponding dates. Elaborate on your responsibilities and accomplishments with concise bullet points, incorporating strong action verbs for impact.


5. Education Insights: Showcasing Academic Background

Present your educational background, including institutions, grades, degrees earned, and graduation dates. Education in a fresh graduate's resume validates qualifications and demonstrates the potential for growth and learning—an essential aspect of entry-level roles.


6. Beyond the Basics: Additional Achievements

If you have supplementary accomplishments, share them in this section. Volunteer work, side projects, and accolades all contribute to painting a fuller picture of your professional journey.


7. A Flawless Finish: Proofreading Precision

Prior to submitting your resume, conduct a thorough review for accuracy. Typos and grammatical errors undermine professionalism. Consider engaging a second pair of eyes for an additional review, as fresh perspectives can catch what you might have overlooked.


8. The Aesthetic Appeal: Crafting a Neat Layout

Employ a clean and professional format for your resume. Opt for legible fonts, structured bullet points, and appropriate spacing to ensure readability. Your objective is a polished presentation that conveys your professionalism.


There you have it – a basic guide to constructing a resume. Your resume is your gateway to professional opportunities, so embrace these guidelines to craft a resume that opens doors and paves the way to career success.

 

Keen to learn how you can level up your resume further? Check out the following tips


By Alicia Khor on 2023-08-25 at 11:20 AM

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