Resume Writing: 4 Tips on How to Write a Standout Resume | Indeed Career Tips

Summary

This video offers expert advice on writing a winning resume, breaking it down into four key steps. First, choose between a chronological or functional resume based on your career situation. Then, format your resume to highlight accomplishments, ensuring your contact info, summary, experience, and skills are clearly presented. The third step focuses on perfecting resume bullet points with action verbs and quantifiable achievements. Lastly, tailor your resume to the job description, considering both applicant tracking systems and recruiters. Follow these strategies to craft a professional, targeted resume that stands out.

Takeaways

• 😀 Choose the right resume strategy: Decide between a chronological or functional resume based on your experience and career goals.
• 😀 A chronological resume is ideal for those with a steady career progression in one field, as it highlights work history.
• 😀 A functional resume emphasizes skills and abilities over work history, making it ideal for career changers or those with gaps in employment.
• 😀 The standard chronological resume format should include contact info, a resume summary, work experience, education, skills, and optional sections for awards or hobbies.
• 😀 Include only relevant work experience from the past 15 years, unless you’re returning to the workforce after a gap.
• 😀 Bullet points in your work experience should highlight key duties, achievements, and responsibilities, with a focus on quantifying results.
• 😀 Use strong action verbs at the beginning of your bullet points to demonstrate active contribution (e.g., 'delivered,' 'optimized').
• 😀 Keep bullet points concise, focusing on impact and outcomes, ideally within one to two lines.
• 😀 Tailor your resume to the job description by using the same language and keywords to ensure it resonates with both ATS (Applicant Tracking System) and recruiters.
• 😀 To appeal to both ATS and recruiters, highlight both the skills and impact relevant to the role and demonstrate how you can help the company meet its goals.
• 😀 Always proofread your resume and ensure it looks professional and clean, removing clutter and using consistent formatting.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of a resume?

The primary purpose of a resume is to convince a recruiter to invite you for an interview by showcasing your qualifications, skills, and experience in a concise and impactful way.

What are the two main types of resumes mentioned, and how do they differ?

The two main types of resumes mentioned are the chronological and functional resumes. A chronological resume lists work experience in order, with the most recent job at the top, emphasizing career progression. A functional resume focuses on skills and abilities rather than work history, making it ideal for career changers or those with employment gaps.

What is the recommended order of sections in a chronological resume?

In a chronological resume, the recommended order is: contact information, resume summary, work experience, education, skills, and optional sections like awards, achievements, or hobbies.

Why is it important to include a resume summary?

A resume summary is important because it provides a brief snapshot of your qualifications and professional background. It often serves as the first thing a recruiter sees, and it can influence whether they decide to review the rest of your resume.

How far back should you list your work experience on a resume?

You should list relevant work experience from the past 15 years. If you are returning to work after a gap, you can include older experience if it is relevant to the position.

What is the ideal way to write resume bullet points?

The ideal way to write resume bullet points is to start with strong action verbs, quantify accomplishments when possible, and highlight the impact of your work, all while keeping the points concise—ideally one to two lines.

Why should you tailor your resume to each job application?

Tailoring your resume is essential because it helps ensure that both the applicant tracking system (ATS) and the recruiter see that your skills and experience align with the specific requirements of the job you're applying for.

What is the role of the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) in the hiring process?

The ATS is a software used by many companies to screen resumes before they are seen by human recruiters. It scans resumes for keywords and qualifications based on the job description, helping to filter out candidates who do not meet the basic criteria.

How can you optimize your resume for an ATS?

To optimize your resume for an ATS, ensure that you use the same language as the job description for key skills and qualifications. This helps the system recognize relevant keywords and increases the chances of your resume being selected for review by a recruiter.

What is meant by 'prime real estate' on a resume, and how does it affect placement?

'Prime real estate' refers to the top sections of the resume, which receive the most attention from recruiters. The higher up a piece of information is placed, the more likely it is to be noticed, so it’s important to prioritize key content like your most relevant skills and accomplishments.