So, you are applying for jobs and need a resume or CV, maybe you need to update one last used a long time ago or indeed perhaps until now you have always got a job without needing one. Every advertised job asks for your resume or CV; every job board online invites you to post it in your profile and the job centre adviser tells you to come back for your next visit with your resume or CV done and a look on her face that reminds you of school and the threat of detention if you did not do your homework
So what are you going to do? It sounds ok in theory, write your resume or CV, but you do not really feel that confident about how to go about it?
Like almost everything else, the internet is full of help and advice, guidelines and even free examples and templates to help you write that resume or CV. Not only can you get free help to write the CV/resume but also free reviews from reputable jobsites. Here are five benefits of using these free resources to help you with your resume or CV ~
1. Format
As you look at examples and see more on the internet, you will better understand that there are different kinds of formats used for resumes/CV’s depending on your situation. There are even if you Google them, examples of a sample CV for older person and for a career change if e.g. age, redundancy or disability has meant that while you need to continue to work you are having to change careers. Also, your basic resume that you will upload to your profile on job boards such as Indeed, Total, Monster and Reed, is a generic version, while you will make adapted versions of it for specific job applications.
2. structure
As well as choosing your preferred format, you will need to consider the structure that you will use. For example, will you use numbering or bullet points, lists or strictly a formal sentence structure, will you indeed use images?
3. What to include
The purpose of a resume or CV (the two terms are actually something a bit different but in the UK a CV is the more commonly used term) is for you to remember that when applying for a job, it will quite likely be the first impression those responsible for hiring get of you when you send your application, this is especially so if you are applying for jobs online. If you are applying via other means or for local authority and government jobs, requesting an application form and completing it, then posting it back is still the most usual way to apply for vacancies.
The aim of your resume /CV is to show as much of your experience and skills as possible while keeping it short and concise, in most circumstances this means no longer than 2 sides of A4. However, the many online samples available can be a great help in showing you how to do it.
4. Power words
There are certain words that readers of resumes and CVs look for and also that scanning software programmes that are designed to read them are programmed to pick out. Using these words in their correct context in your resume or CV will give much greater chance of success and your application being followed up. Google power words for resume, for lists of words that will make yours stand out ~
http://www.careerealism.com/top-resume-words/
http://www.internationalstudent.com/resume_writing/power_words/
Not just for students ~ a good list for anyone to have a look at.
http://time.com/3648812/verbs-resume-awesome/
http://www.aie.org/find-a-job/write-your-resume/100-great-resume-words.cfm
Other searches are: resume action words, resume phrases, resume skill words, resume key words list and action verbs for CVs
5. Specific to your field or the job title
Another advantage of making use of resume samples is that you can read those that have been written for a specific job title, this will help you to see what will be looked for on your resume/Cv when you apply for a specific job.
Do not be tempted to just copy and paste from online samples, hirers can see this immediately, but such samples can certainly help you know how to improve a poor or dull resume or CV and turn it into one that stands out.
