1. What are “Keywords” And How Do I Use Them In My Resume?
Resume keywords are the abilities, skills, expertise, and values that the recruiter is looking for in a candidate. If you don’t have the right amount of them, your resume gets thrown in the software void and never reaches the recruiter. Tip: Pick two to five job advertisements that are similar to the one you are applying for and identify frequently used keywords. Make a list, and include them in your resume (as long as they match your qualifications, of course).
2. My Resume Is Too Long And Wordy. How Do I Cut It Down Efficiently?
If you’re concise and keep things relevant, the length of your resume will take care of itself. You can never fit your entire personality into one page, therefore accept the inevitable and just include what is essential!
3. Who Can I Get To Review My Resume For Errors Before I Start Sending It To Employers?
There is no better way to review your resume than seeking expert guidance from your seniors and friends. Also, there are so many websites available online to help you with resume screening. ex: Free Resume Review Sites Information is just a click away nowadays so make the most out of it!
4. Are There Resume Samples For Different Occupations I Can Access For Free?
There is n number of websites to help you with free resume samples but it’s always better to create your own version to stand out among other applicants. ex: Free Resource Library
5. What’s The Worst Resume Mistake Ever?
Some of the biggest mistakes than I know are
- Cliches and overused words
- Typos and grammatical errors
- Lack of specifics
- Format inconsistency
6. Which Resume Format Is Best To Use: Chronological, Functional, Mixed, Or CV?
Resumes can be in different formats. But your resume format choice should depend more on your experience and situation than anything. People just entering the job market should ideally use a functional resume as it focuses more on skills than past work history.
7. What kind/type of Achievements, Not Just My Duties And Responsibilities should I mention in the resume?
Resume achievements should be quantifiable and relevant to the role. First of all, remember that you must tailor your resume to each type of role that you’re applying for. Because of this, you’ll need to omit certain achievements each time you create a different version of your resume.
8. What Exactly Should I Put On My Resume, And What Should I Leave Out?
After all, you only have six seconds to impress the recruiter so make sure your resume has all the right stuff. Here are the key items to include:
- Contact Information
- Summary or Objective
- Work History
- Education
- Soft Skills and Technical Skills
- Certifications and Professional Memberships
- Achievements and Awards
- Additional Sections (Community Involvement, Volunteering, etc.)
Note: Embellishments, exaggerations or other falsehoods have no place on your resume.
9. How do I make my resume stand out when a recruiter has a stack of a resume?
Just focus on the below-mentioned aspects, to make your resume stand out:
- Sell yourself for the job
- Focus on your special skills
- Use the right keywords
- Make sure it’s formatted for email (PDF)
- Proof read it!
10. Given your experience as a recruiter, Is there anything that irritates/annoys you the most when you take a look at a resume?
Nothing annoys me more than a candidate mentioning the wrong company name. Of course, no one ever means to address the wrong company in their resume. But if you’re including your intentions as a candidate somewhere on your resume, then you need to get it right.
Answered by Harini Swaminathan