Simple and easy resume format to get to the interview you want!

With over 10 years experience in the recruitment industry, I have seen it all. Misspellings. Poor grammar. Confusing details.?

The strangest part is those same candidates whine when they don’t get the job, or more importantly the interview.?

You ready for some tough talk??

It’s time to take ownership. It is your responsibility to get the interview, and the first place to start is your resumé.

The fact is this:??Hiring managers decide whether or not to read your full resumé?within the first thirty seconds. YES - 30 Seconds!

A professional recruiter makes the 'fit/no fit' decision in less than six seconds" (Daily Telegraph)

“nearly 90% of resumés/cv’s get rejected”?(marketability.com )

Why? Lack of structure and irrelevant content.

Your resumé?is vital for entering the workforce. It is the very first impression you give when applying for a job, so you need to make it a good one—one that stands out from everyone else!

The first thing you need to understand is that the interview gets you the job, yes. BUT, the resumé gets you the interview!?

Read that again please – the resumé/cv gets you the interview, NOT the job!

The resumé?you create is your business proposition to your prospective company. It is not a chronological masterpiece of your career history. I know your life would make for a wonderful docudrama - but the hiring manager doesn’t really care.

What Do They Really Want To Know About You?

They want to know how have you added value to the companies that you have previoulsy worked with? Are you loyal and passionate? And how will you add value to their company??Will you;

1.???Bring in more sales?

2.???Retain existing clients?

3.???Help cut costs?

4.???Refer amazing talent?

Once you understand this, the content becomes easier to create. It should have all the components a business proposal should have.?

For example, what return on investment is your resumé?offering? What value can you bring and how does your previous experience show this?

So you want that interview? Let me show you how to structure your resume simply and easily so you get the interview you want!

Top Half Must Be Easy To Read

Make sure you keep the top half of your resumé?simple, for contact details all that is needed is your name, contact number, email, and the city you reside in. That's it!?

Don't put too much unnecessary information that is only taking up valuable space and time.

?1. Testimonials

We live in a world of reviews right? They are an important part of decision making. Your resumé?is no different.?

Having testimonials from previous employers at the very beginning of your resumé?shows the hiring manager what value you added to their company and what experience you gained.

2. Objectives

It's important to show your objectives for your career, which will tell the hiring manager a lot about you and your aspirations.

The most effective objective is one that is tailored to the job you are applying for. Focus on particular skills and experiences you have that are directly related to the job you are applying for.?

Emphasise how you can help the company grow. this will tell them instantly that you are the ideal candidate for the role. It's important to customize this with every role you apply for.

3. Skills

Break down the skills. Dig deep and find the skills that will add value to the company and role you are applying for. Make sure they are easy to read and do your research on the company to see what skills they are seeking to utilise those keywords, just make sure they are not boring nor generic!

At Citrus Connect we recommended listing skills under these three sections?

???????????Communication skills

???????????Marketing and Technical skills

???????????Leadership and Management skills

?4. Experience

Your experience is the?‘crown jewel’?of your resumé. The truth is your hiring manager is looking for what value you have added to previous companies, and what positive difference you will make in their business.?

Do not go into detailed descriptions of your current or previous roles, it is all about value! Keep it simple with bullet points, there should be no more than 3-5 ideally for each role.?

Keep each bullet point one or two sentences long. Focus on what you implemented or changed that increased efficiency. Did you exceed targets, and if so by how much??

What positive impact did your actions have?

At Citrus Connect, we have literally have to pull this information out of a candidate on a call because you just don’t think in this way – WHY?

Key QUESTION - What value did you add? VALUE, VALUE, VALUE!!

5. Qualifications

With this section, don't make an extensive list of everything you have achieved. List the highest qualifications you have and where you got them, that’s it!

You can also add additional skills or qualifications like technical or self-development courses you have completed. There is a difference between qualifications, additional skills, and courses you have done so make sure you have differentiated them. We have a template that shows you how to do this – keep reading!

6. References

It is always a good idea to link your references to the testimonials. Put their job title, the position, and the company. This ties your business proposal in really nicely. There is no need to add contact details.

7. Closing the deal

This is where you guide the hiring manager to invite you to an interview. As your resumé?is a business proposal, this is you closing the deal to get the interview. GET IT?

Show the hiring manager why and how you fit their needs. This is exactly why each resumé?needs to be personal to the role and company you are applying for.

Your Resume Is Your Brand

It's important that your resumé?reflects you, you as a human, your personality, and you as an entity who can join the company and add value.?

Download my Free 7 Secrets Success Guide!

For more in-depth knowledge on resumé structure, download my free “7?Secrets to Resume?Success” guide. Click here to download.