I know, there are SO many articles/blogs/videos out there telling you what you should and shouldn’t have on your resume. Many of those are personal opinions or preferences, or they’re outdated, or they’re too “millennial” for some. At JSG, we’ve found that if you stick with the basics, you’re bound to have more success when submitting your resume to potential employers. Trust me, if you live by these 4 things when crafting your resume, you simply cannot go wrong.
- Relevant Information
With most experts recommending that you keep your resume on one page, that is a very valuable (but limited) amount of space to tell your story! Make sure to display only the information that is most relevant to your skill set and the job you are applying to. If you have to pick and choose what to include, always prioritize relevancy over recency.
- Quantifiable Numbers
However you can quantify your achievements – do it. Numbers give the readers leverage to better understand and benchmarks your accomplishments. It also makes it easier to skim – numbers stand out quickly!
- Proper Formatting & Grammar
Formatting resumes can be such a pain, but it is SO important. Consistency throughout the document is key, so make sure that your fonts, styles, rows, and bullet points are all matching and lined up properly. (Microsoft offers some great templates that can help make this super easy!) And of course, correct grammar is essential to be perceived as a professional. (If you haven’t tried Grammarly yet, now is a perfect time!)
- Contact Information
This seems like a no-brainer, but including concise contact information is often overlooked. Your name, phone number, and email should be all you need to leave a lasting impression and encourage a follow-up.
