14 Tips for Writing Attractive
Resume for Fresher’s
A resume, by definition is a document prepared with the primary
motive of marketing an individual’s skill set, achievements and potential. This
document speaks precisely of the qualification,
academic and professional, and focuses on the interest area of the
candidate. This document must be so arranged that it provides maximum data at a
glance. The idea is to grab focus at the right keywords to produce maximum
effect. Therefore packaging is another skill which is important while putting
together a winning resume.
1.
Pre-plan your content for resume: However,
long before this packaging and data piling occurs on the document, much
thought, study and planning is required. Thoughts revolving around what you
want to accomplish in your career will result in the answer to the most
important question. For a fresher, the professional background holds no value
hence narrowing down to an interest area often is a challenge. For the fresh
graduates, the horizon is therefore wider.
2. Things to keep in mind before starting out
with your resume: While preparing your resume, first and
foremost consideration is your typography – the font and the size. Next ensure
usage of good resume keywords. With some research it is possible to learn to
appropriately use them. This must be followed by a proper resume format and a
suitable file name. Usage of effectual titles should be considered. Proper
highlighting of qualities must be looked into. It is to be remembered that
usage of action verbs are permitted in the resume but the use of pronouns is
not. In a resume the selection of a layout is important. This choice is
dependent on your field of study, academic and professional skills and career
plan.
3. Information that your resume must contain: Updated and correct contact information – your full name,
address, phone number and email address. Educational qualifications in
chronological order – it is better to have this information associated with the
names of the institutes that furnished the degrees or certificates. Mention
professional qualification and/or training if undertaken.
Include
specialised skill set, awards and achievements, career level you are currently
at in order; professional experience is not applicable for the beginners.
4.
Formulation of the resume: There are steps in which you must proceed
in order to structure your resume as per planning.
In the
blank document start out with the margin and selection of fonts and sizes. In
case of a document as formal as the resume you have few choices of fonts viz,
Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial or Georgia. It is preferable to use font size
14 for headings and 12 for the information.
5.
Avoid unnecessary formatting: Avoid unessential capitalisation or use of
bold letters. In the next step you select a layout. Layouts are usually of
three types – the chronological, the functional and the combinational. In
short, the chronological type of resume is for people who have been associated
with a single domain since a very long time.
6.
Identify your type of resume: Functional type is for those who do not
have a great deal of matter or experience to support their resume with. The
third type is the combinational type of resume which as the name suggests,
borrows features from the other two kinds. Among these, the combinational kind
is ideally suited for the fresh graduates.
7.
Follow a pattern:To follow this pattern of layout you must
put down details of your education, projects undertaken for your Graduation or
post Graduation courses, awards and achievements in order. Headings or titles
are always left aligned. Use a single space before the section content and
double spacing before another heading.
8.
Use effective titles for headings: Remember
this is where you will be judged. You may add an objective statement. Take care
to construct the lines. It should not be a paragraph. One or two lines are
sufficient. Try not to sound too vague. It serves as a pointer to the position
you want to see yourself in. Do not use generic soft skills like ‘hard worker’,
‘team player’, ‘dynamic’ etc. Surely the employers expect these of you but do
not like to read them on the resume.
9.
Simplicity is the best policy: For
simplicity use sentences like this: ‘Responsibilities include preparing travel itineraries,
booking flight tickets etc’ or ‘ taking calls, categorizing them, resolving the
issues etc’. You may also use past tense when you are on a transit. In such
cases use phrases like ‘scheduled meetings ’, ‘supervised floor operations ’,
‘provided technical support’.
10.
Personal credentials to be correct: In the
personal section include names of your parents, your date of birth, passport
details, languages known and their proficiency level possessed. Finally try to
limit your resume to a maximum of 2-3 pages for fresh graduates. Remember, that
there is no harm if your accomplishments are over by the end of the first page.
It is wise not to ramble.
11.
No Grammar mistakes: Pay
attention to sentence constructions and grammar. Ensure that there is zero
grammatical error in the document. Make an effort to find out the appropriate
expressions and spellings. Here is where you make an impression. Be formal and
polite in approach. Also be precise in your statements. Remember that your
training and accomplishments must have credibility in form of a diploma or
certificate.
12.
Let your expertise speak: Your
area of expertise should show through your resume. For instance, if you are a
writer, your trade should reflect in your presentation without revealing that
you are trying too hard. Similarly if you are an animation artist it should
speak through your resume presentation without appearing gaudy. These are the
minor intricacies which make your resume exceptional but if you are not sure of
them you may eliminate them. They are not necessary. Your resume is adequate
even without them.
13.
Things you must avoid: Never use pictures in your resume. Exclude
work experiences which are not supported by documents (eg: letters of
appointment and release). Do not write your expected salary, wait for an
interview call, salary negotiation can happen there. Do not put down references
in your resume; they are important but furnish them on request only. There is
no need to add your hobbies.
14.
Add a professional touch to resume: A part
from the afore mentioned details it is important to realize that it is good to
make the look and feel of your resume attractive, it should not be overdone so
as to defeat its purpose. The design should not appear unprofessional. It is
okay to use colors but use them judiciously. They should not clash with the
formality of the tone of your resume. Remember, prospective employers have
specific criteria for selection of candidate.
Unless
your resume addresses those particularly they may be rejected through screening
software. Also bear in mind that your basic information remains the same but
you might have to make modifications to cater to different employers or
different businesses. Finally go through your complete resume and search for typos
before taking out a hard copy.
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