CultusHardly a quick scan of 15 to 30 seconds – that is what your resume is expected to get in the beginning when it first reaches your potential recruiter. And this short span of time is all you have to impress the viewers with your resume — that too among a pile of competitor resumes. Hence, it is quite obvious that you will need to have something outstanding to ensure that your resume stands apart and attracts the attention of the recruiters even when they have many others. Hence, while designing your resume, you need to ask a number of questions to ensure that it meets the highest quality.
1. Is the format perfect to engage the recruiters?
The formats of resumes are evolving at a fast pace. The designs, which were in demand even a few days ago, are becoming backdated within a short time. Hence, it is important to ensure that the resume that you are building is using a format, which is in use in recent times. Resumes are usually available in a wide range of formats, such as chronological and functional resumes or a blend of the two to make it most effective. All the information present in your resume should be organized properly.
2. Is the length of your resume perfect?
There is absolutely nothing called a perfect length for a resume. While the resume for a fresher is usually about a page long, that of an experienced professional can range from two to three pages. However, that can also be designed in the perfect way to fit within a single page. You should not focus on the aspect of the length of your resume to a great extent. Single page resumes as well as their lengthier counterparts can be great. Instead, you should ensure that the resume contains all the components it requires to create a positive impact.
3. Do I need to use any specific type of language?
Use the language that fits the job that you are applying for. It is important to choose the best language for your resume. However, it needs to be customized depending on the type of job you are applying for. Always remember that the design of your resume should be customized to meet the requirement of your desired position. Same goes true for the language as well. It should be attractive enough to grab the attention of the recruiters.
4. Is there anything specific that I need to start my resume with?
Always remember that it is the beginning of the resume, which is important to keep the readers engaged. It will also play an important role to compel them to continue going through the whole resume. Hence, you should choose the topic that opens your resume with utmost care, as it will play a significant role in forming a positive impression in the minds of the recruiters. Do you have any idea as to how you can help your potential employer make more money? Including these in the beginning in a short and crisp way can help in the long run.
5. Have I deleted all unnecessary information?
There is absolutely no space in a resume to include information, which is irrelevant. You should take special care to ensure that personal pronouns are done away with. Moreover, you should also delete inappropriate personal information, such as unrelated hobbies, complete address of your previous employers, reasons for leaving your previous jobs, references and so on. Always remember that irrelevant information is going to make your resume longer without any specific reason.
6. Is the resume free from spelling and grammatical errors?
This is probably the most important thing that you should ask yourself several times before you are sending out your resume to the recruiter. Always remember that the resume can be your ticket to a great job. Hence, it has to make an indelible impression on the minds of the recruiters. However, any grammatical or spelling mistake can mark an otherwise positive impression that your resume may have created among the recruiters. Hence, be extra careful about spelling, grammar and syntax used in your resume.
The primary role of a resume is as a marketing document, through which you are going to present yourself to the recruiters. However, the aesthetic part also needs to be taken care of, as the resumes should be attractive enough to attract the attention of the recruiters at one go. Always remember that they will have minimum time to impress the recruiters. Ask a few questions before deciding on the final resume. Be the critique of your own resume to enhance its quality and make it more attractive and acceptable.
Richard White works as an editor at Yellow Brick Path. He enjoys varying his work and researching new and different approaches to his work. He shares an interest in career counseling and recruitment.