5 Resume Writing Tips for Job Seekers
When searching for a job, having a strong resume that shows off your skills and qualifications is essential. Employers use your resume to learn more about you, your interests, and how you’ll fit within their organization. But if you’ve never written a resume before, you might be feeling a little intimidated. What information should you list on your resume, and in what order? How should the resume be designed? Where do you start?
Fortunately, at Ohio Valley Goodwill, we have decades of experience helping job seekers develop resumes that showcase their skills, experience, and knowledge so they can feel more confident in their job search.
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Here are some top tips for creating a resume that will stand out from the crowd:
#1: Keep it to one page
Employers and hiring managers don’t always have a lot of time to review all the resumes and job applications they receive. To streamline the process, limit your resume to only one page. If your resume is two or more pages, it might be automatically passed over.
#2: Be consistent
When designing your resume, be consistent in the font style, font size, and colors you use. Use simple fonts that are easy to read. Bold, italicize or underline text to emphasize important points. Make use of bullet points instead of writing entire paragraphs to save space.
#3: Include keywords from the employer’s job description
When you find a job that you want to apply for, tailor your resume to fit the job description. Check for any keywords in the job posting that you can include in your resume. Using language from the job description in your resume will show the employer or hiring manager that you have fully read the description and will make a good fit.
#4: Use a professional email address
Most of the time, employers and hiring managers communicate with job seekers via email. Create a professional email address that includes your name, not a nickname. There are many services that will allow you to create an email address for free.
#5: Proofread for mistakes
Finally, don’t rely on spell check to catch errors or typos in your resume. Ask a friend or job coach to look over your resume for any mistakes. Another proofreading tip is to read the document out loud to yourself. You might spot errors that you wouldn’t have otherwise!
Goodwill’s Mission
At Ohio Valley Goodwill, we strive to connect individuals and employers for meaningful community employment. Through job training and job preparation services ““ including resume development ““ Ohio Valley Goodwill helps individuals with disabilities and our nation’s veterans overcome barriers to employment so they can achieve personal and vocational success. Read our inspirational Success Stories to learn about the impact of Ohio Valley Goodwill’s job development programs and job placement services.
Bring Good Home
YOU can support Ohio Valley Goodwill’s mission to change lives through the power of work! Every time you donate to or shop at Ohio Valley Goodwill, you become a job creator in your community. Find out more about Goodwill’s mission and the services and programs we offer.
