Resume Building Tips!

Even before you graduate, you prepare a resume or CV (Curriculum Vitae) mentioning everything you have done as a student and try to set yourself apart from other candidates to apply for internships.

Your resume is usually the first impression employers have of you, so it's important to make sure it showcases your skills, education, and experience in the best possible way.

Recruiters usually have a 5 to 7 second window to decide whether they would proceed with you as a candidate or not. So, make it count!

Here are some tips on what to do and not do when building your CV or resume:

Do:

1. Tailor your resume to the job: Customize your resume to fit the job you're applying for. Read the job description carefully and highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position. Most organizations have Applicant Tracking systems (ATS), which use key word optimization to screen candidates. Use specific key words based on your experience matching the job description to stand out from the crowd.
2. Highlight and quantify your achievements: Instead of simply listing your projects, duties and responsibilities, focus on your achievements. Another way of highlighting your achievements is through the use of metrics and percentages such as how much cost you saved, revenue you generated/sales you increased. An example of this could be "Led a 3 member project team" or "Conducted 300 surveys to collect customer feedback" or "Increased sales by 20%". However, you should be able to defend these numbers. Employers want to know what you've accomplished and how you can add value to their organization.
3. Mention tools and technologies that you have worked on: Organizations hiring candidates with digital app management skills will look for Firebase, Google Analytics, Power BI etc.
4. Use strong action verbs: Using action verbs such as "created," "managed," "developed," or "implemented" to describe your experience makes your resume more engaging.
5. Keep it concise: A resume should ideally be one page especially for fresh graduates. Focus on the most relevant information and keep unnecessary details out.
6. Use bullet points: Use bullet points to break up large blocks of text and make your resume easier to read. This also helps highlight your achievements and experiences more effectively.
7. Proofread: Make sure your resume is free of errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Making such errors shows a lack of attention to detail and can hamper your chances to move forward in the recruitment process.
8. Mention proper contact details: It should be easy to get in touch with you. Contact details such as cell phone number and email address should be mentioned clearly on the resume. As LinkedIn helps employers reach out to candidates, mention your email address if not your cell phone number in LinkedIn contact details so that headhunters/recruiters can reach out to you for potential opportunities.
9. As a fresh graduate with no experience, you should mention your education on top. The first part of the cv is your chance to grab the recruiter's attention. When you start gaining experience, you can keep adding the experiences in reverse chronological order (most recent to least recent) with your education towards the end.

Don't:

1. Include irrelevant information: Keep your resume focused on the job you're applying for. Avoid including irrelevant experiences or details that don't add value to your application.
2. Lie or exaggerate: Never lie or exaggerate your experience or skills. Employers can easily cross question and verify your claims, and it can damage your reputation and chances of getting hired.
3. Use a generic template: Avoid using generic templates that make your resume look like everyone else's. Use a unique design and layout that is easy to read, reflects your personality and showcases your skills effectively.
4. Use slang or informal language: Keep your language professional and formal. Avoid using slang or informal language, which can make you appear unprofessional.

In conclusion, building a strong resume is the first crucial step in landing your dream job. With these tips, you'll be on your way to creating a winning resume that showcases your skills and experience in the best possible manner.