5 Elements of a Successful Resume

So you’ve found a great job posting and want to apply. What next? Do you have a resume? If not, that should be your first order of business. And if you want your resume to look its best, here are five elements that you should, well, employ.

1. Use a professional email address

You wouldn’t go to an interview in Bermuda shorts would you? No, you wouldn’t because they’re too informal. Just as so, you shouldn’t present your resume to employers with an unprofessional email address. A good rule of thumb is to have an email account which uses your name with or without numbers or symbols. For example, JohnDoe52@xyz.com is much more professional than KittyKatLove.

2. Quantify your accomplishments

Putting concrete numbers at the beginning of your sentences lets prospective employers immediately see the results of your hard work. Rather than “I worked for 10 years in business development,” say “10 years’ business development experience.” Although numbers which come at the beginning of a sentence are typically spelled out (e.g., Ten years’ experience…), it is permissible to write digital numbers here because utilization of space is key — and digital numbers stand out.

3. Use powerful words

All too often, employers come across weak language in an applicant’s resume. If you want to wow an employer, use powerful vocabulary and make each word count. So instead of saying, “I made a strategic business plan,” say “Developed and executed a strategic business plan.” Other strong words include: conceptualize, coordinate, instantiate, and streamline.

4. Use a sharp, suitable resume format

Resumes come in many different formats and can be found online, in books, through Microsoft word, and other programs. Try and choose a format that is free of flashy borders or playful layouts. You want your resume to look sharp, not snazzy. Stick to a format that shows text only and best presents your general information and skills. If you are new to the job market, you may want to choose a clean format to list  your education first. Or, if you have been in the market for a while a chronological format might serve you better outlining your skills first and your education near the end.

5. Use a simple, legible font.

Just as a resume’s format is important, so is its font. Don’t be fooled into thinking that a cursive font is endearing or that a unique-looking font is eye-catching. What will truly catch a prospective employer’s eye is a font which is clear and conventional. This tells the employer that you mean business. A good rule of thumb is to write your resume in Times New Roman or Arial, points 11 or 12.

Avoid some of the typical pitfalls of resume writing by using the ideas above, and you will be on your way to landing that great job interview. If you’re not confident your resume will encompass all it should, try letting a professional resume writing service handle it! Modern Tailored Resumes offers several services designed to launch you forward in your career search! Click here to see how we can help!