A resume is an important tool for marketing yourself to any employer. It represents who you are and the value you can bring to a company, so make sure you get it right. Here are some simple, but crucial, tips to help you out.

Do Cut The Fluff

You don’t want your resume to be on its way to becoming a novel. Keeping the document short and concise is the best way to make sure it gets read and noticed. HR personnel simply don’t have the time (and stamina) to sift through page after page. One to three pages is ideal.

Any information that is unrelated to the position that you are applying for should be cut out. A job you had when you were at high school may not be relevant if you’re applying for a marketing job. Ensure the most recent and most relevant experience is at the top of your resume. This is what will stand out.

Don’t Forget Formatting Is Crucial

You want your resume to be well organized into different sections and subheadings. Don’t have multiple information all over the place. You should also pick a font that is easy to read.

You want to end up with a document that is aesthetically neat and tidy and flows nicely. You can take your time to achieve this yourself, or you have the option to look into a company such as you can see here at www.arcresumes.com, as one example, to take care of the resume writing and document appearance for you. Opting for the latter could increase your chances of being noticed due to having a professional-looking resume that is complete but concise.

Do Tailor Your Resume To The Industry

If you have been working in a call center and are now seeking a warehouse job, for example, then your old resume won’t cut it. It will be targeting the wrong industry, so some modifications will be necessary.

If you are interested in a range of different industries, then you may want a different resume for each one. Of course, you won’t have to write them all from the beginning. Simply use the basic outline for each one and then add in information most relevant for that position.

The same goes for your cover letter. You do not want to be copying and pasting the same one. Make sure you take the time to read up on the duties and requirements of each position and then specifically address them in your cover letter. For ideas on tailoring your resume and cover letter to different occupations, visit Iresumecoverletter.com.

Don’t Forget To Spell Check

Your resume probably won’t end up in the lap of an English professor. However, misspelled words, incomplete sentences, or confusing grammar will make you look unprofessional and lazy. Worst of all is making the cardinal sin of using “i” rather than “I.” Make sure you run spell checks and proofread your work. Better yet, get a family member or friend to do it for you.

Do Pick The Right Photo

Having a photo on your resume is generally seen as optional, however, if you do opt to have one make sure it is professional. You should be dressed formally and have an appropriate facial expression. You neither want to be smiling hysterically or looking depressed. A polite expression somewhere in the middle is best.

Final Thoughts

By having a well-crafted resume, you are much more likely to stand out from the crowd and impress employers into giving you an interview. Just make sure you put in the effort and attention-to-detail to create the perfect document.