Up at Bat: Resume

ashley biundo editor-in-chief emeritus

When it comes to applying for jobs, the one thing you will need is a resume.

According to www.indeed.com, “Constructing a compelling and visually appealing resume can be challenging, but a few strategies can help you use your resume as a showcase of what makes you the best candidate for a job. Learning what to include in a resume can help you build a compelling and visually appealing document that could impress hiring managers.” Make sure you use keywords, review samples of resumes and try to keep it at one page, and use a business format.

Here are some tips to help you hit a homerun on your resume:

Add your name and your contact information, like phone number and email address. You can also add a link to your professional network platform or online portfolio depending on your job according to Indeed.com

Add an objective. Employers only spend a short amount of time looking at your resume. “These statements should succinctly illustrate the qualities that make you an attractive candidate while also describing the engaging, yet professional, personality that you can bring to the workplace. Try to focus on work experience that relates to the roles in which you are applying to stand out more to hiring managers,” according to indeed.com. “For a resume objective, you should provide a brief display of your skills and qualifications as they relate to the specific position to which you are applying. As with anything on your resume, though, these skills and qualities should be concrete and, where possible, quantifiable.”

List relevant skills and achievements.

Usually at the end of the resume, add your skills that are relevant to the job and also what achievements you have accomplished. When it comes to skills add both soft and hard skills, “Soft skills may be abilities such as communication or leadership, while hard skills could be computer programs or technical knowledge you know in the industry,” according to Indeed.com. When it comes to achievements, “Employers may be more impressed if you can prove that your abilities have been tested and that you have found success despite challenges. You can emphasize your victories by including a brief section in your resume that outlines your relevant achievements and awards. These awards can set you apart from other candidates with similar experience,” Indeed. com said.

Add work experience.

You should add your work experience from most relevant to least relevant of the job you are applying for. “Some of the information you will provide in this section is self-explanatory, such as job title, company location and dates employed. Where you can distinguish yourself in this section is with the descriptions of your previous positions,” according to indeed .com. “In each position description, you should explain your previous responsibilities, noteworthy achievements and keywords that will make you appear right for the job.” If this is the first job you are applying for, you may not have any previous work, but you can include relevant internships or volunteer work.

Add education.

A lot of jobs require some education, even if it is a high school diploma or a college degree. If you have a college degree, you don’t need to add your high school degree. “List your highest level of education completed first, then list subsequent degrees and diplomas. You may also choose to include any certifications you hold in this section. Also add the date you began pursuing it and leave the end date blank,” Indeed.com said. “In addition to listing degrees, include information about Dean’s lists, honors recognition or academic awards. If you tailored your coursework to a certain specialty, it may even be appropriate to include some of the coursework relevant to this prospective position.”

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