If you are looking to apply to jobs and get hired, you already know that you need to submit your resume when you apply. Some jobs ask you to submit a cover letter too, but this is not a mandatory condition for all jobs. However, in some domains, the competition is fierce. There are more applicants than available jobs which makes the job of recruiters and employers even harder.
As a candidate, you want to impress them with your resume. If it’s professionally built, you can be invited to an interview. But how do you build a professional resume? On top of this, how long does it take to write one? Read on to discover the answers to these questions and some more tips for crafting a powerful resume.
How Long Does It Take?
Well, there is no set time. The correct answer is it depends. However, it is crucial to note that we live in a fast-paced world where everything is done in a rush. To really have the chance to convince the recruiter to set an interview with you, you need a professionally written CV. even the most experienced professionals would need a few hours to write, edit, and polish a resume. So, to make sure you craft a compelling resume, take a few days. On the first day, you can decide on all the information to include. The next day, you could choose a template and add the text. Save some time for editing and proofreading too, but for asking for feedback too.
How Do You Build a Professional Resume?
It might seem easy to write a resume. But when you think about the competition in the working market, you surely want to build the best resume ever. So, there are a few tips and tricks that will help you craft a resume that will get you the job.
- Highlight achievements rather than tasks
- Use the active voice
- Make a custom template
Highlight Achievements
One of the many mistakes candidates do is listing the job description and tasks they did at the previous job. This is information you can copy-paste easily and that does not say anything about your skills. The great majority of candidates do this and as the competition is fierce, you need to stand out from the crowd. Instead of listing job tasks, focus on highlighting the achievements you had at your previous job.
Professional writers from resume writing services best say that this is an effective way to catch the attention of the recruiter. It is a different approach to describing your previous job experiences. Present what you have achieved at the previous job and you will have a compelling and powerful resume.
Active Voice
A mistake you should avoid making in your resume is using passive voice. The main difference between these two is that an active voice makes your resume more concise. At the same time, it helps you distinctly present the information. It gives a different feeling to the recruiter to read a resume in an active voice rather than a passive voice. It shows that you can take responsibility.
Custom Template
Many candidates choose to use a template they find online and just fill in the information. Even though this might feel easier and would take less time, it does not add a lot of value to your resume. If it’s a common template many candidates use, your resume will not stand out from the crowd.
If you’re applying online, this is your opportunity to use every part of your resume to impress the recruiter. And the design of the template you use can help you do this. So, make sure you save some time for finding a nice template that reflects your personality or that you craft your own template.
Final Thoughts
Submitting a professional resume takes you closer to your dream job. It is crucial to not rush the process and invest the time you need to craft a powerful resume. Take time to decide the details you want to include, as well as the template you want to use. Aim to use the active voice more than the passive one. Focus on listing your achievements rather than your tasks at previous jobs.