Written By: Uttaranchal University Online Editorial Team

Here is a Detailed Guide on How to make a Resume for a job

How to make a resume

Your resume can get you the job in seven seconds or be lost in a pile of papers. How do you evaluate your resume to save the opportunity? Your resume is a personal billboard. It's your chance to grab attention and make a lasting impression with an impactful resume. Let us learn how to make a resume that will make an impact in just a few steps

The Resume Format

To make your resume stand out, the components must be placed to move your name to the top of the list. Why should the components of your resume be in a particular order? There are two types of applicants:

  • A Fresher
  • The Experienced

Both these applicants have a different story to tell. So, one will have a reversal order, and the other will have a straightforward resume. Who’s who? Before learning who has to follow which resume, look at the components that make your resume.

Name and Contact Information

When putting your name and contact information on the resume, do not include your date of birth. It may bring an unwanted impression and discrimination when getting a job. Your Email ID should be “name.surname@domainname” because it sounds more professional than some whacky Email ID you made in college. Always mention an alternate contact number for better communication.

Impactful Summary

Making an impactful summary is the most essential part. This part of your resume makes the employer feel like you are the right person. Consider this a short story about you and how your knowledge and experience will make a difference in their organisation. This story defines who you are, what your capabilities are, what your background is, and what is so unique about you in 3 or 4 sentences. Note that the summary should not be a long paragraph or, to say, a resume of 5 to 6 sentences or more. Keep the story short and impactful.

Attention to Work Experience

If you are a professional, you must show the best of your work. For example, if you are a salesperson who has made quite a good amount of sales, this is how your description should be - “Company Name” - Sales Executive. I make a monthly turnover of 35% in B2B sales. I have been awarded twice for quarterly performance.” If you cannot describe your performance in percentages or accolades, detail it in terms of positive outcomes . It also applies to candidates who have completed internship programs during their studies. Those who do not have any work experience can talk about their participation in college days and school to mention that they are actively participating in various activities because it shows an employer how dedicated they are to taking responsibility.

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Educational Background

For the most part, your highest qualification is required, and the rest of it is optional. For example, if you are a graduate, mention the details of your graduation, and that would be it. However, if you are a fresher with no experience or accomplishments, detail your educational background, starting with the most recent degree . Adding a master’s degree to your CV makes a better impression. You can pursue a master’s degree from an online university in India , which is beneficial, especially for working professionals.

Optional Section

The optional section applies to every working individual because it is the most dynamic and contemporary piece of interest. It includes your hobbies, knack for technology, extracurricular activities, and professional links like LinkedIn, Medium, Behance, etc., that show how active you are outside of work life.

By understanding these components, you now know how to make your resume. But how are you going to align all of these in one sheet? A resume should be one page and a maximum of two pages. Unless you are a professional with decades of experience, please avoid going higher than two pages.

The Layout

Now that you have understood the components let us see a sample of how to write a resume.

Step 1

Your resume should always start with a Headline . It should be written below your name, which suggests your identity. For example, “Your Name A Sales Executive with five years of experience and a 2-time quarterly achiever”. When an employer is looking for a sales executive, and they see this headline along with your name, the chances of you getting an opportunity are slightly higher than other applicants.

Step 2

This should follow up with contact information—contact number, email address, and residential address. This makes it easier for the employer to contact you before they view your resume. Add an alternative number just in case of unprecedented situations.

Step 3

Add a summary to highlight the best of you through all the experience. It should describe how well-suited you are for the organisation. If necessary, curate a description based on the job description for more attention.

Step 3.1

Another thing to add to your summary below is the skills and languages you know. It shows how good you are with work and communication. Be sure to add a rating to skills and languages because it displays your proficiency and makes it easy for an employer to decide based on it.

Step 4

Mention your work experience in short descriptions and the period you have given to an organisation. In your career, work experience of less than one year is considered unhealthy, so always aim to work for a minimum of 2 years for an organisation. It shows how dedicated you are to an organisation and how much respect you have for your work, which is the most crucial factor.

Step 5

The highest degree of qualification should be mentioned on your resume. It also adds to the relevance of knowledge to your job opportunities. Additionally, if you have done any educational courses other than your degree, mention them. A working professional can add their most recent qualification and carry on with resume building, whereas freshers need to mention their qualifications in detail.

Step 6

End your resume building by adding professional links, hobbies, extracurricular activities, and so on. Lastly, make a PDF format of your resume when applying for jobs.

Conclusion

All of these together show the credibility of your candidacy and bring in a reasonable amount of opportunities. To keep your resume in optimum condition, ensure your section headings are clear and maintain the margins. See to it that the fonts used are professional and of standard size. One of the best practices is having a higher qualification than a graduate degree. Having an educational qualification higher than a bachelor’s degree is helpful because it adds more credibility to your career.

You can pursue online degree programs in India to add higher education qualifications. Uttaranchal University Online is one of the best universities that will help you enhance your skills and prepare you for the challenges in your career.

FAQs

  • If you have less than ten years of experience, your resume should be one page. For more seasoned professionals, a two-page resume is acceptable.

  • Use strong action verbs, quantify your achievements, tailor your resume to the job description, and include a clean, professional layout with easy-to-read fonts.

  • A chronological format is most common, but consider a functional or combination format if you're changing careers or have gaps in your employment history.

  • You should update your resume regularly, especially when you gain new skills, complete significant projects, or take on new roles. It’s best to keep it current so you’re always prepared for new opportunities.