Resume Writing Tips

Below are time-tested, recruiter-approved methods for piecing together a resume that accurately depicts YOU, while staying relevant for which job you're applying.

When first creating your resume template, start with one these free resume templates sites

Once you have a resume template saved, use the following guidelines to fill it out. It should be one full page with no significant white space.

First and Last Name
Email phone number (physical address not necessary these days)
Professional link if applicable (LinkedIn); include social media links if it showcases your work that is applicable to a job such as Social Media Manager
Include your Drive Statement™ to showcase what it is you're all about. Click here to learn more about how to find that

Using bullet points under each job title, start a one-line phrase using one of the following words which describe your responsibilities & accomplishments. Use this format:

( Action word + task + measurable outcome )

Here's an example:

Social Media Manager, Company Name - City, State www.companywebsite.com

Month Year - present

Designed media templates according to brand which resulted in 70% more engagement
Assigned data analytics to administrator saving $700 per week in salaries
Participated in company community events to create new relationships and partnerships

Helping Skills: Listened, Led, Started, Intervened, Monitored, Advised, Facilitated, Analyzed, Coordinated, Diagnosed, Conducted, Demonstrated, Collaborated, Administered, Provided, Cared for, Referred, Spoke, Directed, Clarified, Evaluated, Performed, Implemented, Treated, Mediated, Liaison, Assessed, Negotiated, Developed, Recruited to...

Managerial Skills: Hired, Reported, Trained, Tracked, Supervised, Developed, Organized, Assigned, Coordinated, Prioritized, Recommended, Administered, Produced, Reviewed, Proposed, Planned, Executed, Scheduled, Directed, Analyzed, Delegated, Evaluated, Contracted, Controlled, Determined, Recruited, Established, Selected to...

Creative Skills: Created, Planned, Shaped, Directed, Acted, Published, Designed, Developed, Integrated, Wrote, Fashioned, Performed, Produced, Illustrated, Built, Made, Innovated, Conceptualized, Abstracted

Coaching Skills: Communicated, Briefed, Encouraged, Coached, Taught, Tutored, Clarified, Evaluated, Adapted, Prepared, Authored, Directed, Assisted, Informed, Instructed, Initiated, Coordinated, Developed, Lectured, Supervised, Improved, Interacted, Trained

Detailed Skills: Recorded, Processed, Compiled, Researched, Reviewed. Checked, Approved, Validated, Retained, Executed, Dispatched, Responded, Implemented, Arranged, Collected, Monitored, Inspected, Classified, Scheduled, Examined

Manual Skills: Operated, Controlled, Assembled, Set-up, Bound, Drove, Cut, Moved, Lifted, Pulled, Shipped, Drilled, Handled, Converted, Designed, Build, Sorted, Constructed, Cleaned, Maintained

Research Skills: Clarified Interviewed, Inspected Synthesized, Diagnosed, Organized, Critiqued, Collected, Interpreted, Isolated, Decided, Recognized, Identified, Surveyed, Investigated, Gathered, Gleaned, Examined, Reviewed, Evaluated, Perceived, Wrote, Extrapolated, Extracted

Communication Skills: Influenced, Helped, Led, Sold, Recruited, Negotiated, Arranged, Reconciled, Obtained, Interpreted, Motivated, Persuaded, Directed, Reasoned, Developed, Created, Arbitrated, Mediated, Merged, Wrote, Enlisted, Spoke

Financial Skills: Calculated, Computed, Planned, Managed, Budgeted, Audited, Appraised, Allocated, Administered, Developed, Solved, Prepared, Maintained, Documented Analyzed, Researched, Initiated, Recommended, Sold, Bought, Budgeted, Opened, Closed

Your full address - Sometimes, the city/state is relevant but it's never necessary.

Your photo - The only time a photo is suggested is for pastoral positions or Public Relations (PR) positions where your demeanor and physical look are part of your essential work. Besides that, exclude your photo!

Buzzwords - Read THIS ARTICLE ON BUZZWORDS. Sadly, no one believes you if you say you're creative, results-oriented, or passionate. Instead, mention real-life examples of you doing these things!

Lists of soft skills - Lists of soft skills such as oral/written communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, etc. are NOT going to get you the interview. At the very least you need to provide evidence that you have those skills and tie them back to the job for which you're applying.

Objectives - Objective statements went out a long time ago. Replace your objective statement with a well-written Career Summary Statement or Drive Statement™. The goal here is to show some personality and values, not history.

References - It's assumed that references will be available upon request. Save space and exclude references (unless specifically requested somewhere on the job description)

We recommend reading Business Insider's article on writing a resume that stands out. Keep in mind, this "perfect resume" is in context of a business website that may not be applicable for all industries and jobs but it has been recommended by executive business professionals.

https://www.businessinsider.com/why-this-is-an-excellent-resume-2013-11

Once you have a first draft, the following AI resume resources may also be beneficial for you:

www.SkillSyncer.com

SkillSyncer is a free resume keyword scanner and job application tracker for job seekers. This tool intelligently identifies skills and keywords missing from your resume when compared to a job description.

www.MyPerfectResume.com

My Perfect Resume® helps you build your resume from scratch for the job you want. They report 30% higher chance of getting a job and 42% higher response rate from recruiters.