Most times, the first contact an employer makes with an applicant, is with their resume. Your resume will either impress the hirer, or immediately disqualify you even before an interview, so you need to get it right, as first impression matters.

But, what do Employers Look for in a Resume?

Basically, employers look for three things on your resume,

• What did you do?
• Why did you do it?
• What was the result?

They also want to see if a candidate matches the requirements of the role they are hiring for, so, your resume should paint this picture so the employer not only knows what day-to-day responsibilities you can handle, but why you, above others, bring value to their organization.

So, lets get down to how you can write that perfect resume, and get yourself that dream job.

1. Pick your format

Before you start typing one single thing, you have to decide what you want the overall resume to look like.

Your format can be

• Chronological, which features an extensive work history section, which means it’s best for jobs that require a lot of experience. This format fits experienced job seekers.
• Functional, which emphasizes your skills, education and training. This format fits first-time or inexperienced job seekers who can spotlight skills that are suitable for the job.
• Combination of the chronological and functional formats, with a focus on both work experiences and skills.

2. Give your basic information in a professional way

Your contact information should always go at the top of your resume. In this header you will want to include anything that could be helpful for a recruiter to get in touch with you. They might include

• Your full name
• Your phone numbers
• Your personal email address

You might also choose to include other basic information, such as your LinkedIn or personal website or portfolio link, your social media profiles (if relevant to the job). Remember to keep your information professional.

3. Add your educational credentials and training.

In your education section, list your degrees, as well as the name of the institution and location (town/city and state). You can also include any advanced or specialized training or courses you’ve taken that relate to the job. It is advisable to list this from the most important, to the less important.

4. Add your skills (hard and soft)

Your skills section should include both practical or technical skills that are relevant to the job, such as proficiency in specific tools or software, as well as intangible skills. be as specific as possible when listing your skills.

5. Add in your work experience

Employers want to see where you’ve worked, what you’ve done, and the impact of that work to get a sense of your background and expertise.

Include each official job title, the company (and possibly its location), and the years you worked there. Below that, explain what you did in that job, the skills you built and exercised, the tools you used, and the results of what you did. Also, if you have any volunteer work done in the past that is relevant to the position, you can include it here.

6. Highlight your work achievements.

Include your job title, name of the company (with city and state where the company is based), and dates of employment for your present and previous jobs. Focus on top accomplishments rather than just listing usual daily tasks. Limit your work history to the last 10 years, to make it concise.

7. Edit and refine it

Always remember to give your resume a second glance. Write a rough draft, then leave and come back to it later with fresh eyes to give it an edit.

Take note of the basics: Is your contact information correct and updated? Are you using the right verb tenses? Is the spelling and grammar accurate?

8. Always tailor it to the job

Make sure your resume is written to reflect the job, otherwise it makes no sense. Dig into the role and responsibilities of the job, and ask yourself if your resume reflect similar experience. If not, edit it so that it’s clear you’re capable of doing the job? Let me mention here also, that you can have different resumes for different job roles.

In summary, most employers only take a few seconds to read a resume, so, make it as concise as possible. Aim at just two pages at most, focus on skills and work examples that directly address what the job needs, limit your work history to the last 10 years (unless you are applying to a job that specifically requests more than 10 years’ experience).

For further reading, take na look at our article on what to consider before applying for a job

Chigozie

My name is Chigozie Japhet. I am a content writer, and a brand strategist. I like  writing, reading, researching and watching football, especially my team, Man United. i believe in working hard, and also in relaxation as all work without play, makes Chigozie a dull boy.