Resume Writing: Three Key Things to Get Right

1
(No Transcript)
2

• Whilst most professional job application writers
  would agree that the Work Experience section is
  one of the most important parts of a resume,
  there are three sections an employer will scan
  before they even get to that level of detail.
• Applicants often underestimate the importance of
  getting these sections perfect, as they focus too
  heavily on the details of their work experience.
• In this article, we will dive into how
  professional resume writers approach these key
  sections and explain why they are important to
  get right.

3
Contact Information

• The contact information section is the primary
  way that a prospective employer will reach out to
  applicants job application writers must ensure it
  is accurate and free of errors. After all, if it
  is incorrect, an employer may not be able to even
  reach an applicant to request an interview.
• Heres what should be included
• Full Name The applicants full name should be
  prominently displayed at the top of the resume
  using a clear and professional font to ensure it
  stands out and is easily readable.

4

• Phone Number Applicants must be able to provide
  a reliable phone number where prospective
  employers can reach the applicant and ensure a
  professional voicemail is set up if calls cannot
  be immediately answered.
• An email address should exude professionalism,
  not use quirky or unprofessional usernames. A
  simple combination of name or initials makes it
  easier for employers to remember the applicant.
• LinkedIn Profile Link In todays digital age,
  having a LinkedIn profile is essential for job
  seekers. Resume writers should check to ensure
  that profiles are well maintained with relevant
  information, a professional photo, and showcases
  work experience, skills, and accomplishments. A
  LinkedIn profile acts as an extension of the
  resume, allowing employers to delve deeper into
  the resume writers professional background.
  Therefore, its essential to ensure that it
  complements the resume and highlights relevant
  skills, experience, and achievements.

5

• Social Media Presence Limit the inclusion of
  other social media links when resume writing.
  While LinkedIn is ideal for professional
  purposes, platforms like Facebook and Instagram
  are generally considered personal spaces. If
  links are provided to other profiles, resume
  writers should ensure they are dedicated to
  professional use and that personal pages remain
  private and not visible to potential employers.
• Most importantly, the contact information creates
  the first impression for potential employers, so
  resume writers must make sure it reflects
  professionalism in both communication style and
  presentation.

6
Professional Summary

• When job application writing, this section is
  typically placed at the beginning of a resume and
  serves as a brief introduction to key skills,
  experiences, and career goals accomplishments.
  Consider it to be an elevator pitch that
  moment in time where the readers interest is
  piqued and they want to know more, or they move
  on to the next applicant.
• The most important things resume writers focus
  upon when writing a professional summary are
• Keep it Concise This section should be a brief
  snapshot of the applicants professional identity,
  keeping it to just 2-3 sentences or a short
  paragraph at most.

7

• Tailor it to the Job Resume writers customise
  the professional summary for each job
  application, focussing on the specific
  qualifications, skills and experiences to
  demonstrate an ideal fit for the position.
• Highlight Key Accomplishments Professional
  resume writers emphasise successes and
  contributions in past employment, utilising
  quantifiable measures whenever possible to
  demonstrate the influence the candidate had in
  that function, rather than detailing job duties.
• Use Strong Action Words Start sentences with
  strong action verbs like achieved, led,
  implemented, innovated, or streamlined to
  create a sense of enthusiasm, convey proactivity
  and showcase abilities effectively.

8

• Showcase Unique Selling Points Identifying which
  unique skills, experiences, or qualifications
  make the applicant special enables resume writers
  to set the candidate apart from others.
• Emphasise Career Goals For applicants who are
  early in their career or transitioning to a new
  industry, resume writers including career goals
  to demonstrate how the past experiences and
  skills align with the applicants aspirations for
  the future.

9

• Avoid Clichés Good resume writers steer clear of
  overused buzzwords and generic phrases like team
  player, hardworking, or results-oriented
  which may be perceived as clichéd and focus on
  specific accomplishments and tangible skills
  instead.
• Finally, professional resumes writers always
  critically evaluate the Professional Summary
  through the employers eyes to identify any gaps
  or shortfalls.

10
Skills Summary

• The Skills Summary is a valuable section that
  allows resume writers to showcase core
  competencies and immediately demonstrate an
  applicants suitability for the job.
• When writing Skills Summary, a resume writer
  ensures they tailor it to the specific job being
  applied for by scanning the job description and
  identify the key skills and attributes the
  employer seeks.
• Then, strategically incorporating those keywords
  into the skills summary increases the resumes
  chances of passing applicant tracking systems
  (ATS) and reaching the hands of hiring managers.
• Resume writers will use a combination of hard
  skills (technical abilities specific to the role)
  and soft skills (personal attributes that enhance
  work performance) to present a well-rounded
  picture of capabilities.

11

• In order to stand out, resume writers organise
  skills in a clear and easily scannable format,
  using bullet points or columns to list skills,
  ensuring that the most critical skills are placed
  at the top.
• Often they will group related skills together,
  such as technical skills, communication skills,
  leadership skills, etc., to provide a more
  structured presentation.
• Whenever possible, quantifying skills will add
  credibility and concrete evidence of abilities,
  thus enhancing the impact of the Skills Summary.

12

• A professional resume writer will focus on
  relevance and avoid listing skills that do not
  align with the job requirements.
• Tailoring these skills to match the position
  helps hiring managers quickly see how the
  applicant can add value to their organisation.

13

• In conclusion, resume writers will use with a
  professional summary to make a strong first
  impression, and a well-crafted skills summary as
  a powerful teaser to entice employers to delve
  deeper into the resume to find out more about the
  candidates qualifications and accomplishments.
• Once they do this, they will revert to the
  contact section to reach out for an interview, so
  a good resume writer will always make sure all of
  these sections are right and get you well on the
  way to your next career move.

14
Please also friend or like us on Facebook
https//www.facebook.com/RedTapeBustersShaneBower
ing, follow us on Twitter Red Tape Busters or
check us out on YouTube just search for Red Tape
Busters.
15
Thank You!!