The anatomy of a winning resume

Planning to write a resume for your job applications? Want to make a splash in the candidate pool? Then, you need to create a killer resume. The first question you must answer when doing this is, “What does a killer resume look like?” There are quite a few notable differences between a winning resume and an average one.

Highlight your name first

The first thing an employer notices on your resume should be your name. Ensure that your name is in a larger text size and bold letters. Add your credentials after your name and omit prefixes such as Mr. or Ms.

Add your contact details

A good resume shows employers how they can contact you with ease. Don’t make a potential employer read your whole resume to get to your contact information that’s listed in the footer. Add your contact information to the resume right below your name. You should also avoid mentioning vital details like contact information within a header or footer because some ATSs can’t parse information within headers or footers.

Include a summary

The anatomy of a great resume always contains a well-crafted summary statement. Your resume summary must comprise 2-4 sentences highlighting your best job-related skills, experiences, certifications, and other qualifications. Be sure to include a quantified achievement or two that emphasizes your contribution to your company’s success.

Add a dedicated skills section

One of the best attributes of a winning resume is a skills section that’s placed in the first half of the first page of the document. Use this section to add important keywords to your resume. Employ the use of simple bullet points to highlight important skills.

Then, include your work experience

A work experience section that highlights your biggest contributions to your past employers is a must-have element of a successful resume. Include all your relevant and most recent past roles. Use real examples from your professional portfolio to bring out your wins. Employ numbers and metrics to quantify your achievements so that potential employers can see what you bring to the table.

Mention your education

In most well-written resumes, the education section follows the work experience section. However, if you are a recent graduate, you can emphasize the educational qualifications by mentioning your education prior. Be sure to include all relevant information about your qualifications including the title of your degree, college, location, relevant years, and academic achievements.

Add extra sections

You can improve the appeal of your resume with additional sections. Many resumes contain sections such as:

• Languages – Mention your languages and list your proficiency level. Use standard measurements of language proficiency to describe your skill level.
• Publications – Include all the relevant details when listing your publications on a resume. Follow the APA style to cite your publications.
• Certifications & Licenses – This is an essential section for resumes in certain industries like healthcare, beauty, and tech. Mention the title of your certification/license, awarding body, year, and relevant coursework.
• Achievements – One of the biggest features of a winning resume is a dedicated accomplishments section that highlights your biggest professional wins. Place your achievements section where hiring managers can spot it with ease, ensuring that none of the information is missed during a busy resume scan.