08-09-2017, 12:05 PM
Your resume (sometimes called your "CV") is your most important tool when applying for a job. No matter how qualified you are or how much experience you have - if your resume is poorly presented or misspelled, you'll have trouble getting the job you want - or even an interview.
The Purpose of a Resume
Your resume is a marketing tool. You have to demonstrate:
• That you are employable
• How you meet the work and requirements of the organization
• Having the right qualifications and education
• Having the right experience and skills
• Have the appropriate level of professionalism for the job
How long should my resume be?
There is no set length for a resume. A resume varies in length depending on your experience and education. If you have not worked long before, one or two pages is the best, but three pages is fine if you have a lot of study and work behind you.
Make sure you do not cover your resume. If your resume is only a page, as long as it is well presented it could yield better results than a two-page summary full of unnecessary information.
More information on the length of your resume can be found in each of resume templates in our sample resumes and cover.
How should I order my resume?
In general, it is always good to present the information on your resume in this order:
1. Contact details
2. Opening statement
3. List of key skills
4. List of technical / software skills
5. Personal attributes / professional perspectives
6. Educational qualifications
7. Work history / volunteering / work practices
8. References / referees
Not everything on this list should appear on your resume every time, and the order may change from application to application. For more information on each of these sections, see "What your resume should include" below.
The most important thing is to get the most useful information first. For example, if your educational background is not specifically related to work, put it at the end of your resume, behind the work-related information.
Check out the resume templates on our resumes and cover letters for examples of how you could sort the information in your resume.
Do I need to change my CV for each application?
You need to adapt your resume to each job application so that it meets the specific requirements of the job you are applying for.
You may not need to change much, but you need to make sure your opening statement, your key skills and personal attributes match the needs of the role, based on the job advertisement (if any) and the research conducted I done at work.
You should also tailor your resume to show how your work experience specifically meets the needs of the job you are applying for.
How to adapt your resume
The ways you can tailor your resume include:
• Using your opening statement to link your experience and education to the organization and job requirements
• List your most relevant key skills first
• Including examples of accomplishments that meet the advertised job requirements
• Include specific keywords and phrases throughout your resume
The Purpose of a Resume
Your resume is a marketing tool. You have to demonstrate:
• That you are employable
• How you meet the work and requirements of the organization
• Having the right qualifications and education
• Having the right experience and skills
• Have the appropriate level of professionalism for the job
How long should my resume be?
There is no set length for a resume. A resume varies in length depending on your experience and education. If you have not worked long before, one or two pages is the best, but three pages is fine if you have a lot of study and work behind you.
Make sure you do not cover your resume. If your resume is only a page, as long as it is well presented it could yield better results than a two-page summary full of unnecessary information.
More information on the length of your resume can be found in each of resume templates in our sample resumes and cover.
How should I order my resume?
In general, it is always good to present the information on your resume in this order:
1. Contact details
2. Opening statement
3. List of key skills
4. List of technical / software skills
5. Personal attributes / professional perspectives
6. Educational qualifications
7. Work history / volunteering / work practices
8. References / referees
Not everything on this list should appear on your resume every time, and the order may change from application to application. For more information on each of these sections, see "What your resume should include" below.
The most important thing is to get the most useful information first. For example, if your educational background is not specifically related to work, put it at the end of your resume, behind the work-related information.
Check out the resume templates on our resumes and cover letters for examples of how you could sort the information in your resume.
Do I need to change my CV for each application?
You need to adapt your resume to each job application so that it meets the specific requirements of the job you are applying for.
You may not need to change much, but you need to make sure your opening statement, your key skills and personal attributes match the needs of the role, based on the job advertisement (if any) and the research conducted I done at work.
You should also tailor your resume to show how your work experience specifically meets the needs of the job you are applying for.
How to adapt your resume
The ways you can tailor your resume include:
• Using your opening statement to link your experience and education to the organization and job requirements
• List your most relevant key skills first
• Including examples of accomplishments that meet the advertised job requirements
• Include specific keywords and phrases throughout your resume