How to write a resume?

Career Tips | November 8, 2010 | Share

Why does one need a resume? Well, one does not need just a resume, one needs a resume that is an interview magnet. You may not have participated in a number of extra curricular activities in school or college and you may not even have the best grades all through your learning years. But that’s alright, you can still convert your CV into an interview magnet if you get certain points right. You need to know what your employer is looking for and you should know what profile fits you best, once you know these basics you can craft a resume that will get you not one, not two but a number of interview calls.

A few tips you should remember when designing your resume are as follows:

1) Choose titles that work
When drafting your resume make sure you use titles and sub heads that match the job you are looking for. When you send your resume out to placement consultants or prospective employers, they may not have the time to go through the entire resume to understand what job profile you may fit so make sure you have a title that suggests up front what position you wish to apply for.

2) Layout and design
Depending on the company you are applying at try and design a resume that fits in with the culture of the organization. If it’s an ad agency or a media house you can go all out and make something interesting that grabs their attention. However if you are applying at an up tight corporate house you need to create a layout that is clean and simple to understand. Highlight important points that you think that the employer should pay attention to when he glances through your resume. Make them read what you want them to read.

3) Content is king
Your layout and title may get the attention of the prospective employer but it may not hold his attention for long if the content which is your achievements and past experiences do not match up to his expectation. Glorify whatever achievements you may have had in the past. Make a resume that works as an effective sales aid for you. Ensure the content reflects your ability to handle the job you are applying for.

4) Quantify your achievements
A great way to suggest how well you have performed in the past is by quantifying your achievements to showcase that you are capable of handling great deals of responsibilities. For eg. Headed a contingent of 100 students for an inter collegiate event out of the city. When you quantify your achievement the message you want to send across is crisper.

5) Power
Use words that are powerful. Ideally seek help from a friend who has been in the industry for some time to help you draft a resume that appears professional. Use words that are professional and look good on your resume. Try and stay away from frivolous words that just add to the volume of your CV.

Satish Jha