Top 10 Resume Writing Tips and Samples

There are so many resume writing tips and samples available online that one can easily get frustrated trying to figure out what are most important rules to follow. It is true that writing a resume has become much more complex than it used to be 10 years ago mostly due to the high competition in the jobs market today. Job seekers try to be as convincing as they possibly can be by skillfully developing their resumes and cover letters. In this article we have systematized the most important recommendations developed by resume writing experts who have experience in different career fields. Below you can find the list of the most important rules to follow when you are writing a resume or CV.

Check out resume samples from EliteWritings

Effective Resume = Interview = Job

1. Summary over objective. It is better to start off your resume with a summary. Those who start with an objective statement like “seeking a management position within a reputable company” don’t realize that a resume is not about what you seek but rather about what employers seek. A summary gives you more freedom to prove that your resume is worth reading. An objective is rather meaningless piece of information for hiring managers who know well enough why you sent a resume.
2. Reverse chronological format. Listing your past employments in a reverse chronological format is expected among most employers in the jobs market. Trying to be creative and organize your professional experience in a different format may play a bad joke. Unless there is a really good reason to do so it is better to stick to a reverse chronological order that assumes listing most recent jobs first.
3. Education. Education is an important piece of information for hiring authorities even if applicants don’t believe so. It is especially true for those who have just graduated and don’t have much to offer in terms of work experience. Organizing this section in a correct format is vitally important for job seekers. Don’t list too many details. Include only the name of the school/college/university and degree earned. You can also mention the graduation date.
4. Training. Some people believe that attending a training or seminar is not good enough to place it on a resume. Wrong! Training is a part of education process we all go through. More than that, employers like to see such things on a resume because it means the candidate isn’t settled with formal education only trying to learn more.
5. Volunteering. This is another section job seekers often don’t want to include onto a resume for weird reasons. Today it is not a problem to have a 2 page resume or CV sent to recruiters so there should be enough space for this section. Volunteering can only add weight to your candidacy, especially if you learnt some things that could be used at a new job.
6. Be relevant. This may well be the most important resume advice you can ever hear or read anywhere. If you forget other 9 tips provided in this article but remember this one then you will still have a chance for being called up to an interview. Providing only relevant information about your past experiences will help you gain advantage over the rest of applicants.
7. Accomplishments matter. One of the most compelling sections on your resume is your major accomplishments. If you take time quantify your achievements and back them up by facts it is very likely that you will be considered for the interview. There is nothing more important than proving to employers that you are capable of achieving results, not just handling responsibilities.
8. Be concise. There is no need to explain everything in great detail, be it your work experience or skills. We understand that you may admire your own career, qualifications and experience but that probably is not so for employers. Therefore, they are not interested in all details of your past experiences. They simply need to know why you can do the job.
9. Conservative design. It is better to stick to black and white classics unless you are not applying to a creative designer position. The thing is that experimenting with the layout of your resume may not end up very well even if it appears to look perfect. It is a question of taste after all and you don’t want to take the risk of trying to incorporate some fancy graphical elements into your resume. If a hiring manager doesn’t like it, he/she may not even review your resume.
10. Choosing a resume writing service. If you need the assistance of a resume expert it is important that you don’t choose a company you know nothing about. If you made up your mind to consult resume professionals make sure that you are dealing with those who are true experts.

Finally, keep in mind that resume writing tips and samples are to guide you in the right direction. The tips mentioned above are based on the experience of those who have been involved in resume writing for over 10 years now