How to Create a Resume: Get Hired Faster in 2024

On the hunt for a new job? Great to hear!

Before you start applying, let’s check how to create a resume.

Think of it as your billboard, catching the eye of recruiters buried under a mountain of applications. It needs to shine, to be that unexpected flash of glitter at a mundane event.

Here’s the deal: your resume has a dual mission. Using precise keywords, it must get past the intricacies of Applicant Tracking Systems (the digital gatekeepers that evaluate resumes).

Then, it must impress the real-life recruiter who will be making the call on whether you land that interview spot. We’re on the verge of crafting a resume that prompts a recruiter to pause and think, “This candidate deserves a second look“.

Learning How to Create a Resume That Shines

A strong resume appeals to both automated systems and discerning humans, making it essential to create one.

How to create a resume to impress recruiters? By figuring out what exactly captures a recruiter’s attention amidst a sea of applications. Let’s break it down.

Recruiter’s Checklist: Crafting a Winning Resume

Visual Clarity:

A clean format, legible typefaces, and generous white space make for an inviting read—like offering a recruiter a clear path through a dense forest.

Targeted Talent Showcase:

Highlight the skills that align with the recruiter’s needs, directly mirroring the job post. This strategic move works well with the automated systems in play.

Tangible Success:

Beyond listing responsibilities, showcase measurable successes. Phrases like “boosted sales by 20%” better reflect your impact in real terms than “responsible for sales.”

Remember: A strong resume is not just about listing your experiences. It’s about showcasing your impact and value to potential employers.

Consistent Career Timeline:

Employment gaps can be red flags, so a brief explanation can neatly bridge your professional story’s pauses.

Academics:

While listing your educational background, prioritize the qualifications that resonate most with the job.

Innovation:

Technology and trends are moving fast, as are recruiters’ and companies’ expectations. To add some innovation, create a resume QR code with our QR code generator for resume or add a portfolio QR code.

Enhance Your Resume with QR Codes

Digital Resume Access: Embed a QR code linking to a downloadable PDF version of your resume, allowing employers to access a digital copy easily. You can create

Showcase Your Skills in Action

Use PDF QR codes to direct to portfolios or work samples.

Designers: Include a QR code linking to your online portfolio.

App Developers: Add a QR code that directs to your app.

Writers: Embed a QR code linking to samples of your writing.

Selecting the Right Resume Format

Let’s dive into the resume formats. You have a few key styles at your disposal, much like selecting the appropriate attire for an interview:

1. The Classic Chronological

This traditional format lists your work history, starting with the most recent. It’s ideal for those with a solid and straightforward career trajectory.

2. The Skill-Centric Functional

Your abilities take center stage here, which can be especially beneficial for career shifters or those with gaps in their employment history.

3. The Hybrid

This approach offers the best of both worlds. It allows you to highlight your skills and relevant experiences in a personalized manner.

There’s no one-size-fits-all format here; the optimal format is tailored to your individual experiences and the strengths you want to spotlight.

Steps to Create a Great Resume

Now, we get to the heart of the matter: developing the content that will give your resume its luster. Here’s how to create a resume:

Step 1: Collect Your Professional Information

First, get all the information together and do the rest of the work without looking for things.

• Work experience
• Education
• Skills
• Achievements
• Volunteer work
• Awards

Step 2: Contact & Basic Information

At the top of your resume, include a clear header with your contact details:

• Full Name: Use the name you present online professionally.
• Phone Number: Include a reachable number.
• Email Address: Use a professional email address.

Optionally, consider adding:

• LinkedIn URL / Personal Website URL (relevant to the job)
• GitHub (for technical roles)
• Social Media (if job-relevant and professional)
• Address (omit if open to relocation; write “Open to Relocation” instead)

Step 3: Add Profile Summary

After your contact & basic details, create a professional summary.

This concise overview highlights your key qualifications. Tailor it to each job application. Mention relevant skills, degrees, and current job title.

For instance, business analysts should emphasize their credentials and experience in their field rather than painting skills.

Step 4: Add Work History

Recruiters will analyze this section thoroughly as it tells them about your proven contributions to previous organizations.

Organize your work history, starting with your most recent role. Be sure to include the name of each company, your title, and the dates you worked there.

Use resume action words. Instead of “managed social media,” upgrade it to “accelerated a social media campaign, achieving a 25% surge in followers.”

Learning more about Resume Action Verbs will help you impress the recruiters.

Step 5: Add Your Education

After your work, create a new section to highlight your education. This section should include:

• The schools you attended with locations and graduation dates.
• Your degrees earned, including major and any minors.
• Relevant academic achievements: GPA, awards, or scholarships.

Step 6: Create Skills Section

Once you finish academics, it’s time to add your skills.

• Include a bulleted list showcasing your top 6-8 skills relevant to the job you’re applying for.
• Balance hard (technical) and soft (interpersonal) skills to demonstrate well-roundedness.
• If changing careers or lack experience, highlight transferable skills like communication and critical thinking.

Step 7: Include your certifications

List relevant certifications with full titles, issuing organizations, and earned dates. Include “in progress” for certifications you’re actively pursuing.

Step 8: Showcase Yourself (Optional)

Volunteer Work & Interests (relevant only): Highlight relevant volunteer work or personal interests that showcase transferable skills or align with the company culture.

Professional Summary: Briefly weave personality traits and interests into your professional summary for a concise approach.

Remember: Tailor your resume for each job, emphasizing relevant skills and experiences. Keep it clear and concise—avoid the ‘one resume for all jobs’ approach.

Step 9: Proofread, Edit, Refine

Don’t submit a resume riddled with typos or formatting errors! Hiring managers skim applications, and a glaring mistake can be a deal-breaker.

Write a draft, then revisit it later with fresh eyes for proofreading. Typos and formatting inconsistencies are common pitfalls, so be meticulous.

Conclusion

Congratulations! Now you know how to create a resume that will impress recruiters. Use these tips to create resumes that secure interviews and accurately reflect your career path.

Remember, it’s your narrative to craft, so highlight what makes you a stellar candidate. Land those dream jobs by crafting a compelling narrative that positions you as the perfect candidate.

Good luck!

Create Your Resume QR Code!