Have you built your resume the right way?

If you want hiring managers and recruiters to go “wow” when they look at your resume, you should get a few crucial elements right. There are certain aspects that potential employers expect to see on your resume. Get them right, and you will make a favorable first impression. So, let’s look at how to model each section of your resume.

1. Your name

Your name should be the most prominent thing on your resume. Use a larger font size than the rest of the text on your resume to state your name on the top. Use your first and last names and add your credentials after your name for a bit of wow factor.

2. Target job title

Next comes the job title that you are targeting. Listing the target job title on the top of your resume helps tie all your qualifications to the position you are applying for. Be sure to match the title to the industry you are targeting because the same job goes by different names based on the industry.

3. Contact information

This is where you tell employers how they can reach you. List down a direct phone number and email address. There is no need to mention your entire address on your resume due to privacy concerns. Simply state your city and state. You should also add links to your LinkedIn profile, portfolio, website, or social media to the resume when applicable.

4. Summary

Write an introduction to your resume with a summary statement. There are different kinds of introductions you can use for your resume, but the most common one is the professional summary. Select three important skills, credentials, achievements, or qualifications to highlight in your summary statement. Keep it between 2-4 lines for maximum impact.

5. Key skills

Create a dedicated skills section for your resume to showcase your extensive skillset to interested employers. List down soft skills and hard skills related to the job you are applying for. It is important to align your skills section with the employer’s job description.

6. Work experience

This is the most important section of your resume. Showcase your career history with a detailed work experience section. List down the employer’s name, location, job title, relevant years, and related achievements for each of your past jobs. Stick to a 15-year window when discussing your work experience on the resume. Use bullet points to present your achievements concisely on the document.

7. Education

List your most recent educational qualifications first. If you are a student, you can describe your GED or high school diploma on the resume. If you have higher educational qualifications, you can omit high school details. You should mention the title of your educational qualification, school, location, relevant years, and related academic achievements for each entry you make.

8. Publications

If you are applying for a job in education, publishing, or academia, a dedicated publications section is a great addition to your resume. Choose recent and relevant publications to mention on your resume. Follow the APA style and provide all the necessary information when listing publications on your resume.