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A resume is essentially a snapshot of your entire career, and your future job prospects and career growth hinge on its quality. The more compelling it appears, the more opportunities you’ll attract. However, 8 out of 10 people with impressive backgrounds struggle to document their achievements effectively.

What Are Recruiters Looking For?

Recruiters focus on the following aspects of your resume:

1. What did you do?
2. Why did you do it?
3. What was the result?

Addressing these questions in your resume can significantly boost your chances of landing a job interview. The secret to a standout resume lies in using clear, concise, and easy-to-understand language. Many resumes fail to include qualitative information that aligns with the job specifications or requirements of the position the candidate is applying for.

What Should a Resume Look Like?

Your resume is as crucial as your appearance during an interview. It forms the first impression in the recruiter’s mind. Unless you’re applying for a creative role like a graphic designer or content editor, it’s best to keep your resume template clean and straightforward. You can also use online resume templates or the latest resume-building mobile apps.

Steps to Create an Effective Resume:

1. Choose a Good Font

Opt for simple fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri in black color with a font size of 10-12 pt. Maintain a uniform alignment throughout the resume and the cover letter (if required).

2. Set Even Margins

Keep a 1-inch margin on all four sides of the resume to make it look more presentable. If you need more space, you can reduce the margins to at least half an inch.

3. Use Consistent Line Spacing

Line spacing enhances the overall appearance of your document. Use 1.15 spacing for all sections and double space before and after headings and between entries. Avoid jam-packed resumes as they are unpleasant to the eyes and give a messy look. Ensure your resume has enough white space to make it readable and visually appealing. Print your resume to check if the spacing looks right.

4. Highlight Section Headings

Make your section headings more prominent than the rest of the text for clarity.

5. Avoid Graphics and Photos

Refrain from using fancy graphics or decorations on your resume, as they may cause compatibility issues with ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Only include a photo if explicitly required by the recruiter. Many ATS can only read text, and some hiring managers may view photos as unprofessional or distracting. If you need to showcase a professional photo, use job boards and LinkedIn.

Ideal Resume Length

The length of your resume is critical. How long should it be? Aim for a one-page resume, or two pages for experienced candidates. Tailor your resume to the specific role you’re applying for, including only relevant details. Make every word count.

Essential Sections

Now that you know the basics of a perfect resume and its presentation, let’s discuss the content – what to include and what to exclude. The order and headings of your resume content may vary based on your professional experience. It’s best to follow a standard reverse-chronological resume format. Here’s a standard list of sections to include:

1. Resume Heading: Include your contact information, name, email, home address, and phone number. Add a link to your LinkedIn profile.
2. Professional Summary: Include a summary of qualifications and/or a career objective.
3. Work Experience
4. Academic Qualifications and Relevant Certifications
5. Skills: Include both soft and technical skills relevant to the role.
6. Hobbies/Interests: Include only if relevant to the role.
7. Awards and Recognitions

For more advice on your resume and cover letter, visit our Career Advice section. There are numerous resources available in our Candidates section.