Your résumé is key to future employment, so make sure it is polished to perfection. Here are some tips to help you make the best impression:
- The résumé should be short and succinct, giving a snapshot of your skills and experience.
- List your previous job experience in reverse chronological order. You want your most recent accomplishments to be at the top.
- Include your education and any professional development courses and certificates.
- Tailor your résumé to fit the job you want. Do not fabricate facts from your career, but do highlight aspects that are relevant to the position.
- Use bullet points rather than long paragraphs and include dates, company names, job titles, and your duties in those roles.
- Try to keep the résumé to one page, or two at the most if you’ve had a long career.
- Don’t forget to proof the résumé for typos and spelling errors. It’s a good idea to have a friend check that it’s perfect before you submit it.
- Use the same font and heading-style throughout the document.
- If you really want to impress, consider having a graphic designer format the document for you.
- Include a cover letter, stating the position you are interested in applying for, plus any relevant highlights.
This article appears in the 2024 Compass Media Careers Guide.
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