A business resume is often the first impression a potential employer has of you, and it's essential to make it count. A well-structured resume highlights your relevant skills and experience, showcasing your value as a candidate.
A clear and concise objective statement is crucial, as it should be tailored to the specific job you're applying for. This will help your resume pass through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and catch the eye of the hiring manager.
The format of your resume is also important, with most hiring managers preferring a clean and easy-to-read format. This includes using bullet points, clear headings, and a standard font such as Arial or Calibri.
A professional summary or career objective statement should be included, as it provides an overview of your experience and skills. This should be no more than two to three sentences and should be specific to the job you're applying for.
Resume Writing Basics
Writing a business resume can be a daunting task, but breaking it down into stages can make it more manageable. To start, compile all your information into a master business resume, including work experience, educational details, internships, and volunteering experience.
This master resume will help you avoid revisiting each section multiple times, saving you time and reducing stress. It will also make it easier to update your resume in the future, ensuring that you don't miss any important information.
The next step is to add the suitable resume sections, which include a header, personal information, profile title, professional experience, education, certifications, awards, and additional information.
How to Write a Resume
Writing a resume can be a daunting task, but breaking it down into stages makes it more manageable. Start by compiling all your information, including work experience, educational background, internships, and volunteering experience. This master business resume will serve as a reference point and help you write a resume without having to revisit each section all over again.
Having all your information in one place will make it easier to write your resume in the present and update it in the future. You can use this master resume to streamline your information and avoid missing any important details.
To write a business resume, you'll need to add the following sections:
- Header
- Personal Information
- Profile Title
- Professional Experience
- Education
- Certifications (if any)
- Awards & Recognition (if any)
- Additional Information (if any)
When writing your resume, use one-liner points instead of paragraphs to communicate your roles and responsibilities. This will make your resume more readable and easier to understand. Use action verbs like "forged", "liaised", "identified", "analyzed", and "examined" to begin each point.
Here are some key skills to include in your resume:
- Creativity: Show examples of how you've come up with innovative solutions to problems.
- Problem-solving: Highlight instances where you've solved complex problems and improved processes.
- Time management: Mention your ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
- Communication: Showcase your ability to effectively communicate with colleagues and customers.
Remember to use objective terms to describe your soft skills and personal abilities. Avoid adding fluff to your resume that might not have any quantifiable value. Instead, focus on providing real-life examples of when you've impressed your previous employers and solved problems.
Here are some examples of how to use one-liner points to describe your roles and responsibilities:
- Forged business relationships with key customers to improve market position
- Liaised with channel partners to resolve sale queries and scrutinized further sales options
- Identified gaps in our products and services to enhance their overall functionality and effectiveness
- Analyzed the market and studied the competition to determine subsequent step actions
- Examined prospects and evaluated their position in the industry to identify new business opportunities
Incorporate Keywords
Incorporating keywords into your resume is a crucial step in getting noticed by hiring managers. Look for the soft or hard skills an employer has mentioned on the job ad and incorporate these terms into your resume.
Employers often mention specific skills in their job postings, so make sure to scan the ad carefully. A resume review service can also help you come up with smart terms that will naturally point towards your qualities that fit a particular role.
By incorporating these keywords, your profile will be easily matched with the related job description, increasing your chances of getting noticed.
Omit Salaries
When mentioning your previous salaries or future demand in a CV, it can give your application an unprofessional finish. Experienced HR executives and managers are already aware of industry norms.
You don't need to mention your salary because they have a clear idea of how to decide on a salary.
Resume Content
A business resume is only as good as its content. To make a strong impression, you need to have the right information in the right sections. The professional experience section is crucial, as it showcases your work history and achievements. To make it perfect, frame points, use the STAR format, and use grouping and highlighting to make your experience stand out.
A well-structured professional experience section can make all the difference in getting noticed by hiring managers. It's not just about listing your job responsibilities, but also about highlighting your achievements and the impact you made in your previous roles. By following these tips, you can create a professional experience section that showcases your skills and experience and helps you stand out from the competition.
The key skills section is another important part of a business resume. To optimize it, pick your core business skills from your professional experience section and incorporate relevant keywords from the job posting. This will help your resume pass through the initial screening and get noticed by hiring managers. A well-optimized key skills section can make a big difference in getting hired.
Key Attributes to Include in a CV
When writing your CV, it's essential to highlight your best features and the value you can bring to the organization. Think of it like a brochure for a product or service, showcasing all the great features and benefits.
A "Career Objective" is no longer relevant in a contemporary resume. Instead, use a "Professional Summary" at the top, targeted to the skills found in the position posting. Include keywords from the posting and focus on your skills that relate.
To make your CV more readable, use grouping and highlighting to organize your points. This will help divert the recruiter's attention to your essential responsibilities and career highlights.
When including your personal traits in your CV, be indirect and don't stuff them in. Use statements like "I'm a highly motivated and progress-focused digital marketing specialist" to showcase your traits.
A business resume should have the following sections: Header, Personal Information, Profile Title, Summary/Objective, Key Skills, Professional Experience, Education, Certifications (if any), Awards & Recognition (if any), and Additional Information (if any).
In the Professional Experience section, use the STAR format to frame your points, and consider using Grouping & Highlighting to make your CV more readable.
Here are some key attributes to include in your CV:
- A Professional Summary at the top, targeted to the skills found in the position posting
- Personal traits showcased indirectly, such as "I'm a highly motivated and progress-focused digital marketing specialist"
- Grouping and highlighting to organize your points and make your CV more readable
- The STAR format to frame your points in the Professional Experience section
- Key Skills that relate to the position posting
- Relevant certifications, awards, and recognition
- Additional information that's relevant to the position
Interests and Hobbies
Including interests and hobbies on your resume can be a great way to showcase your personality and skills. If you have limited work experience, you can definitely include them.
Choose hobbies and interests that are impressive and relevant to your career. For example, if you volunteer for a worthy organization, this can demonstrate your social responsibility and desire to give back.
Listing organizations you belong to can also be appropriate, especially if they are well-known and related to your career. This could include being on the board of a local ASPCA or belonging to professional organizations.
A hiring manager is unlikely to be interested in your fraternity or sorority membership, but they may take notice of your volunteer work or professional affiliations.
Formatting and Design
Formatting and design play a crucial role in making your resume stand out.
Before you start experimenting with design, do your research and get a feel for the company culture. This will guide your design and format choices.
A conservative institution like a bank expects standard fonts and formats, plain paper, and a subdued border. On the other hand, a tech startup might appreciate a more creative format.
Make sure to leave white space between entries, indent bulleted points, and use one-inch margins for easier reading. A cluttered resume will probably not be read.
Your resume has to be easy to read to make an impact. Most HR executives have to go through hundreds or even thousands of resumes, so ensure your headings, spacing, and fonts are coherent.
Ensure there is no disruption within the format, and consider taking the help of a resume writing company to catch any flaws.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you feature skills on a resume?
Feature skills on a resume by listing specific proficiencies and certifications, such as programming languages, software tools, and industry-specific technologies, to showcase your expertise and match job requirements
Sources
- https://social-hire.com/blog/candidate/7-elements-of-a-best-selling-resume
- https://www.hiration.com/blog/business-resume/
- https://theundercoverrecruiter.com/top-10-features-you-must-include-your-resume/
- https://www.resumeprofessionalwriters.com/key-components-of-an-effective-resume/
- https://gritsearch.com/career-advice/career-search/attributes-to-include-on-your-resume-cv-to-stand-out/
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