When writing your resume, it is hard to know whether your background will appeal to the person reviewing the document. Not to mention, it can seem completely out of your control as to whether you are discussing your experiences in a way that entices the recruiter to speak with you.
Fortunately, resumes allow you to control the narrative behind your job application. While it may be impossible to control every aspect of the job application process, you can use your resume to get ahead of how your potential employer may perceive your background and interpret your qualifications to work for their organization.
University of Phoenix, a renowned leader in empowering its students for professional success following graduation, passes on a five-step formula for creating and editing resumes. Keep reading to discover these steps and how you can use them to design a resume that reminds you of all you have to offer as a job candidate.
Step #1: Identify and utilize keywords that prevent your resume from slipping through the cracks
Most resumes these days first pass through document scanning software or applicant tracking systems (ATS). This makes it important for you to identify a set of likely keywords that recruiters will look for when it comes to a specific job. You can find some of these keywords by reading the job description closely. Then, be sure to incorporate them throughout your resume.
For example, suppose the job description mentions that the ideal candidate will have a communications degree. In that case, it is worthwhile to mention when and where you earned your communications degree and use wording to match.
Step #2: Pick a design and format that communicates your experiences
Before going with the first template you find for your resume, consider these tips. The design and format of your resume should help you show your experiences straightforwardly. Draft a rough outline of the categories you would like your resume to have. These can include sections for professional background, community service and education. Then make sure each section is clearly defined and every line item is well explained.
When you begin to type up your resume, make sure you use a professional, standard font like Arial or Times New Roman. You might be tempted to get creative here, but using a unique font may make your document hard for a recruiter to read or for an ATS to process automatically. It is also critical to use uniform spacing and headings as a formatting best practice.
Step #3: Include a summary of your qualifications
A qualifications summary differs from a resume objective. Start your resume strong by including a summary of your qualifications that tailors your background to your potential new role. Your summary should also clearly define your skills and how you intend to bring them to the organization. Also, be sure to include any job-relevant credentials such as industry-specific certifications and awards.
Step #4: Make sure the contents of your resume are accurate
Feel free to draw on your creative intuition when designing your resume but refrain from getting so creative that your resume fails to reflect your credentials accurately. One example of this is stretching the truth. To avoid this, look out for language that exaggerates your roles and responsibilities or inaccurately reports your coursework and subject familiarity.
To continue checking your resume for accuracy, be sure to spell check. This will point you to where to correct any grammar or spelling errors in your resume. Since the top of your resume should include your email address, make sure that your email address is professionally named and still active and accessible.
Step #5: Seek feedback on your resume and update accordingly
Read your resume to yourself to assess whether it sounds to your liking or if you notice any phrases that could be reworded for clarity. Following your review, seek out feedback on your resume from others and adjust it accordingly. Whether you are designing a resume for the first time or making updates to an existing document, you can reach out to a career advisor to confirm if the resume fits the mold for the job application in question.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in popular fields of study such as nursing, healthcare, technology, business and cybersecurity. The University administers a significant proportion of its degree programs online where students can earn a secondary education. University of Phoenix especially empowers adult students and non-traditional learners to return to the classroom while balancing employment and family commitments.
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