Home » How to Bring Your Resume to the Next Level – Part 2

How to Bring Your Resume to the Next Level – Part 2

Published November 29, 2016

Clarks Summit University’s Director of Career Services Shares Tips to Improve Your Resume and Job Search

In the first part of this series, I gave the foundation for what you need to know before you write a resume. Now, you’ll learn practical tips for resume writing.

Get the Look

The physical layout and format of your resume will be the first impression an employer receives. Ascetics, professionalism and the balance of content vs. white space should be taken into consideration when choosing a template or format. Font should be professional and never smaller than size 10 or larger then size 12 (except for header name). Try to use different font settings (bold, italics, underline) to make certain sections and content stand out. The standard practice for resume length is one page; it should never exceed this amount unless the employer has requested additional information. I will highlight critical elements to include in each of the five major section of a resume.

Header

Your resume header, or contact information, should be at the top of your resume.

  1. Format should be clean and professional. Do not use photos, fancy fonts or wild colors.
  2. Your name needs to stand out. You can do this by increasing the font size and making it bold.
  3. Make sure all contact information is current and correct. Avoid unprofessional email addresses.

Objective

The objective normally follows your contact information and outlines the purpose for your resume.

  1. Word the objective to summarize what you can offer the employer and not what you are seeking from the employer.
  2. Make it specific and personal by identifying the job title and employer.

Education

Resumes that target entry-level positions should include education near the top of the resume. Experience or skills may come before education if the applicant has impressive and extensive experience that is more relevant then education.

  1. Write out school name, city and state.
  2. Identify graduation or projected graduation date.
  3. Write out degree, major and minors.
  4. Highlight most relevant classwork, honors or awards.

Experience

The experience section is the meat and potato of the resume. The employer is most interested in the content of this section. If you have a significant amount of experience, avoid overwhelming the employer; only highlight the most recent and relevant information.

  1. Use reverse chronological order.
  2. Limit it to three or four employment experiences.
  3. Emphasize transferable skills, not responsibilities.
  4. Prioritize job title, and include employer, city and state. Many professionals recommend writing out the state and not abbreviating.
  5. Format in bullet points that begin with powerful verbs in past tense. Avoid reusing the same verb. Convey a variety of transferable skills.
  6. Bullet points should be specific, concrete and measurable. Try to help the employer visualize the context of application and level of skill required.

Additional Information

This last section is optional and can highlight any additional information, accomplishments, skills, awards or experience that is most relevant to the employer.

Download the full sample resume.

Jeremy YeckleyJeremy Yeckley, Director of Career Services

Yeckley (’12) is also regional director for Foundations Christian Counseling Services and helps establish counseling ministries in local churches. Yeckley, who was born in Kenya and has lived in six countries over three continents, serves as a deacon and the mission committee at Grace Baptist Church. He and his wife Kara have two children, Lyla and Malachi. In addition to helping people with resumes, he enjoys wildlife photography, traveling, backpacking and camping.

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