how to make a top notch resume

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Perfect Resume (With Examples!)

Your resume is arguably the most valuable piece of paper for your career. But this document can be daunting for many. Maybe you’re not sure how to fit in all your information onto one page. Maybe you’re not sure about the right way to format and write your resume. Maybe you don’t even know what the heck a resume is!

Whatever your concern, we’ll break down everything you need to know about making the perfect resume, from scratch.

What Is a Resume?

What are employers looking for in a resume.

• Pick Your Format
• Start With Your Basic Information
• Add in Your Work Experience
• Consider Including Volunteer Work or Other Experience
• Don’t Forget Your Education
• Top It Off With Some Skills and Interests
• Write a Resume Summary Statement (if Relevant)
• Tailor It to the Job (and the ATS)
• Edit and Refine It

What Are Some Examples of a Good Resume?

A resume is a summary of your career, whether yours is just getting started or has been going on for years. Coming in at around one page in length (two only under specific circumstances), it showcases the jobs you’ve held and currently hold, the responsibilities you’ve taken on, the skills you’ve developed, and the qualities you bring to the table as an employee. Together, those things make it super easy for any hiring manager to see your qualifications and fit for a role.

For all the work you may put into writing one, hiring managers actually spend very little time—mere seconds in many cases—looking at your resume. But despite this sad fact, it’s safe to say that creating a great resume (rather than hastily throwing one together) still matters.

“If you miss the mark, your resume may never be read. Even worse, you might be removed from the applicant pool by a computer before a human even knows you exist,” says Muse career coach Heather Yurovsky , founder of Shatter & Shine. So you want to get it right because, as she explains, isn’t the goal to “spend less time looking for a job and more time in a role you love?”

You might be wondering if you can lean on your LinkedIn profile instead of writing a resume. The answer, sadly, is no. Most hiring managers still expect you to submit a resume, even if they also look at your LinkedIn. Even if you don’t need a resume for a job you’re applying for now, you’re going to need one at some point in your career—they’re not anywhere close to going out of style. So it’s best to always have one at the ready should an opportunity pop up.

And although LinkedIn has plenty of benefits, a resume has one clear advantage: While your LinkedIn is usually a broader picture of your career trajectory, your resume gives you the opportunity to tailor your career story to a specific role or company (more on that later).

Oh, and you’ve probably heard of something called a CV? It’s slightly different from a resume , and usually more common with academics and job seekers outside the U.S.

Hiring managers look for three things on your resume, “What did you do? Why did you do it? And what was the result?” says Muse career coach Martin McGovern , owner of Career Therapy. “If you can answer all three of these questions in...your resume bullet points, you’re going to be on the right track.”

Clear, easy-to-understand language is key. “The truth is that most resumes make no sense. They are stuffed with jargon, they are too technical, and they are filled with redundancies. Try to read a resume that isn’t yours and you will quickly realize that it feels like an alien wrote it,” McGovern adds. Put yourself in the shoes of a recruiter who has no idea how your role works—how can you make your resume accessible to them?

The hiring manager also cares about more than just you and you alone—they care about you in relation to them. “Hiring managers want to see if a candidate matches the requirements” of the role they’re hiring for, Yurovsky explains. “Your resume should paint this picture so the hiring manager not only knows what day-to-day responsibilities you can handle, but why you, above other[s], bring value to their organization.”

How Do You Write a Resume?

Whether you’re someone who’s never written a resume in your life, or you need a nice, thorough refresher on the process of creating one, follow these steps to go from a blank page to a complete—and dare I say beautiful—document.

Related: This Free Worksheet Makes It Easy to Create (or Update) Your Resume

1. Pick Your Format

Before you start typing one single thing, you have to decide what you want the overall resume to look like.

Resume builders can be helpful for this step—they’ll take all your basic information and organize it for you, eliminating some of the legwork. You can also use a pre-made outline, such as one of these free Google Docs templates .

But it’s often safest to start with a clean slate all on your own and eventually upgrade to a more advanced layout. (If you'd still like a place to write all the relevant information before you get started, check out our resume outline .) This allows you to course correct, edit and re-edit, and choose a resume format that best fits your particular situation (after all, not everyone has a career trajectory that’s easy to compartmentalize).

In general, you’re most likely to cover and/or include sections on the following:

• Your work experience
• Your non-work experience, including professional organizations, community involvement, or side projects
• Your education and certifications
• Your skills (specifically hard skills) and interests

So how do you format and organize all of that information?

By far the most common (and safest, if you’re not sure which route to take) option is reverse chronological order . This means you organize your experiences from most recent to least recent. So your work experiences would go above your education, and your current role would go above previous roles you’ve held. This of course has its exceptions—maybe you went back to grad school between jobs, or your most recent role is irrelevant to the job you’re applying for. So the whole page may not be exactly in reverse chronological order depending on your situation. It’s just a guideline.

There’s also something called a functional or skills-based resume . This is used pretty rarely, mainly with career changers and those with limited or complicated work histories. It gets its name because it’s primarily about listing your skills rather than experiences, and showcases them above your work history and education.

You can also opt for a combination resume , which is a mix between a reverse chronological resume and skills-based resume. It highlights your skills at the top, but allows just as much room below to cover your job and school experience.

Use caution when choosing these two formats: “Combo and skills-based [resumes] can be hard to follow, because [they force] the reader to hunt for connections between your skills and experience, and [don’t] provide the full context of your work,” says Muse Career Coach Angela Smith , founder of Loft Consulting. “I’ve also heard a lot of recruiters say that they automatically discount skill-based resumes because they feel the candidate is trying to hide something. I don’t necessarily believe that, but I think it’s important for job-seekers to know that perception is out there.”

2. Start With Your Basic Information

Your contact information should always go at the top of your resume. In this header you’ll want to include anything that could be helpful for a recruiter to get in touch with you. Usually, this means adding in:

• Your full name (preferably the name you use across the web)
• Your phone number
• Your personal email address

You might also choose to include other basic information, such as your LinkedIn or personal website URL, your GitHub (for technical roles), your social media profiles (if relevant to the job), or your address. If you’re looking to move for a job, you may choose to leave out your address or write “open to relocating” to better your chances of getting an interview.

The key is to make this part as clear as possible. If a hiring manager can’t reach you, there’s no point in perfecting the rest of your resume.

3. Add in Your Work Experience

This section will most likely be the bulk of your resume. Even if you’re changing careers, employers still want to see where you’ve worked, what you’ve done, and the impact of that work to get a sense of your background and expertise.

Your “Work Experience” might be one entire category, or you might choose to break it up into “Relevant Experience” and “Additional Experience” to highlight the jobs that are most important for hiring managers to focus on. Either way, you’ll almost always want to have your most recent experience at the top and your older experience down below.

Within your work experience, you’ll want to include each official job title, the company (and possibly its location), and the years you worked there. Below that, you’ll add in two to four bullet points explaining what you did in that job, the skills you built and exercised, the tools you used, and the results of what you did. If you accomplished a lot during your time there, focus on the responsibilities that made the most impact or you’re the most proud of, as well as the ones that best align you with the job you’re applying for (more on that in the following sections). It’s key here to list, if relevant, quantitative as well as qualitative accomplishments.

For example, you might write:

Associate Accountant, Finances and Co., Ann Arbor, MI September 2017 – Present

• Manage billing and invoicing for more than 50 clients, ensuring the deadlines and needs of our enterprise partners, including Big Company and Super Star Org, are met
• Collaborate closely with sales, account management, and project management teams on project setup, maintenance, and invoice management
• Assist in the streamlining of invoicing guidelines and procedures through documentation and the implementation of new software, resulting in an average two-week decrease in total time spent per client

Your resume bullets should be in past tense if you’re referring to past jobs and present tense if you’re talking about your current roles. In addition, your bullets should always start with a strong action verb that best describes what you did. And if you have examples of your work, consider hyperlinking them here as well.

If you have a ton of experience and this category is starting to run long (read: over one page), consider kicking out your oldest jobs unless they’re super relevant to the job you’re applying for, or extra impressive for your field.

Not sure where to start? “It’s helpful to do a brain dump and create a document that has everything and anything you consider as experience or an achievement,” says Yurovsky. From there, she explains, you can start to whittle down what is and isn’t important. And you can refer to this document later if you ever decide to update your resume for a specific role.

Need more specific advice on listing your work experience on your resume? Check out these additional resources:

• When you’ve held multiple jobs at the same company: 2 Jobs, 1 Company: How to Show Multiple Positions on Your Resume
• When you’re not sure what your accomplishments are or how to explain them: Resume Revamp: How to Turn Your Duties Into Accomplishments
• When you want to spruce up a boring or insignificant job: How to Make Your Most Boring Jobs Sound More Interesting on Your Resume
• When you’re considering fudging a job title: The Answer to “Can I Change My Job Title on My Resume to Make It More Accurate?”
• When you’ve had a bunch of short-term gigs: How to List Temporary Jobs on Your Resume

4. Consider Including Volunteer Work or Other Experience

Anything you’ve done that’s not work experience—your side gig, volunteer work, special projects—can be hosted under clearly-labeled sections (“Volunteer Experience” or “Activities,” for example). Depending on how robust your work experience is, these things may be worth including, particularly if they’ve helped you level up your skill set or better align you with your dream job. Plus, they make you look that much more well-rounded, passionate, and hardworking.

If you’re a recent grad, you might also build out a section for on-campus activities, such as clubs, organizations, or leadership experience. This can be a great supplement if you’re lacking in the jobs department. You can frame these just as you would professional jobs—including your title, the organization’s name, and bullets describing what your role was and what you accomplished.

Read More: This Is Exactly How to List Volunteer Work on Your Resume

5. Don’t Forget Your Education

If you’re still in school or just graduated, your education can go at the top of your resume, but for pretty much everyone else, this goes near the bottom. Most people include their school, graduation year (for folks less up to about a decade out of school), major, and degree. Brand-new grads might also write in their GPA, honors and awards, study abroad, thesis, or other notable achievements. But keep this section super simple, as you don’t want it to take up too much space over your work experience.

It’s possible you have unique education experience, such as taking an online course or certification. If you did this specifically as a way to boost yourself within your industry, definitely include it. Again, list everything more or less reverse chronologically—so a grad school degree would go above an undergrad degree, and a more recent relevant online course would go above that.

Learn more about the ins and outs of listing your education on your resume:

• How to (and How Not to) List Education on Your Resume
• How to List Online Courses on Your Resume the Right Way (Because Yes, There Is a Wrong Way)

6. Top It Off With Some Skills and Interests

The skills section of a resume gets a bad rap, but it’s just as important as the rest of the stuff you include. It’s a quick list a recruiter can scan to see if your skill set aligns with what they’re hiring for. And it’s super ATS-friendly (ATS stands for “applicant tracking system,” the robot that in some cases reads your resume before a human does) because it allows you to add in keywords the machine is scanning for.

Usually this section goes at the bottom of your resume, but in special cases—such as a skills-based resume or when someone’s switching fields—you may place it further up.

What exactly do you throw in here? You’ll want to list any hard skills and applications you’re familiar with (Photoshop, SEO, JavaScript, to name a few examples), and, if relevant, your level of expertise. Avoid including soft skills here, like time management or public speaking—save those for your bullet points instead.

Be strategic when filling in your skills. Don’t list things you actually couldn’t do at a high competence level (I’m looking at those of you who say you’re “great” at Excel), and maybe nix skills that are completely irrelevant to the job you want. For example, you may not even need to include Excel if you’re applying for say, a design position, unless it’s listed as a job requirement.

Maybe you’re thinking, I’m a really good volleyball player, but that’s not a “skill,” right? No, it’s not, but it is a hobby. Adding in a hobby section at the bottom of your resume is underrated, and frequently a smart choice. It can be a great conversation starter with a hiring manager, and it can show that you’re a good culture fit—or a culture add—for the company. Also, it’s just a nice way to add in some of your personality. So tack on a bullet point listing out some of your interests, such as hiking, rowing, or crafting (no more than five to seven work-appropriate verbs), and you’re all set here.

7. Write a Resume Summary Statement (if Relevant)

You may have heard of a resume summary statement . They’re not super common, but they can be useful to include near the top of your resume if you’re looking to add clarity or context to your resume. If you’re a career changer, you might find a summary statement helpful in explaining your leap and tying your experience to your new path. Or if you’re a more experienced professional, you can use a summary statement to highlight a theme that brings your career trajectory together.

Overall, you probably won’t need a summary statement if your career is pretty linear and your bullet points do a great job of emphasizing what you have to offer in terms of skills and experience. But if you think it makes sense to include one, “Take the time to think about what the person reading your summary wants to know before you write it,” says McGovern. “Good summaries explain why you do what you do and how it can help. For instance: Merging a background in ABC, I help companies improve XYZ through 123. Summaries shouldn’t be any more complicated than that.”

So, taking McGovern’s example, you might say:

Merging a background in social media marketing and PR with seven years in the consumer tech space, I help companies improve their internal and external communication and brand awareness through data-driven, quality content and strategies that align with the modern trends of the space.

Yurovsky adds that “you don’t want your summary statement to be a dense paragraph with too much information. You want it to be easy to read, concise, and memorable. Almost like a tagline.”

Read More: 3 Resume Summary Examples That’ll Make Writing Your Own Easier

8. Tailor It to the Job (and the ATS)

Once you have your resume written out—you’ve broken down your work experience, tagged on some activities and additional experiences, and listed out your skills—it’s important to go back to the job description (or multiple job descriptions, if you’re applying to several similar jobs) and make sure that what your resume says matches up with the kind of candidate the employers are looking for. In other words, tailor it .

Let’s explain further. You’ll want to begin by tackling the ATS . This means combing the job description to see if individual words and phrases line up. What skills are they asking for, and have you listed them (so long as you actually have them)? What words are they using to describe their ideal hire, and do you use similar language in your resume?

Next, take a bird’s-eye view. If you were the hiring manager for the role, where on your resume would your eyes be drawn to? And what would you be looking for? Whatever you think will be most important for the recruiter, make sure it’s near the top of your resume, or otherwise emphasized.

Finally, dig into the role and responsibilities of the job. Does your resume reflect similar experience? If not, is there a way you can spin it so that it’s clear you’re capable of doing the job (and doing it well)?

These articles can help you if the word “tailoring” makes you start to sweat:

• What It Really Means to “Tailor Your Resume”
• Your Guide to Making Unrelated Experience Look Relevant on Your Resume
• A Cool Trick: How to Spin 1 Resume Bullet 5 Different Ways

9. Edit and Refine It

Please, please don’t just write your resume and shoot it out without giving it a second glance. Hiring managers may not spend hours browsing it, but if there’s one thing that sticks out more than anything else it’s a glaring typo.

The best approach? Write a rough draft, then leave and come back to it later with fresh eyes to give it an edit.

Cover the basics: Is your contact information correct and updated? Are you using the right verb tenses? Does everything look consistent and accurate in terms of spelling and grammar?

Then do some cutting if your resume’s quite long. It’s no longer a hard-and-fast rule that all resumes must be only one page—but consider it a smart guideline for most applicants, especially if you've got less than 10 years work experience. The exception is if you’re very senior or very established in your career; in this scenario, a two-page resume isn’t completely out of the question. Everyone else, read this article for advice on how to cut your resume down.

Formatting-wise, it’s key to consider a couple things. First, what font are you using , and is it legible (for a human and a robot)? When in doubt, go with one of these simple, but sleek, options: Arial, Arial Narrow, Calibri, Cambria, Garamond, or Helvetica.

Second, are you going to save it as a Word document or PDF ? Neither option is wrong, although a PDF helps ensure that your formatting is maintained, no matter what type of computer the hiring manager uses to open the document.

Third, is your resume formatted in a way that it’s skimmable? If it’s feeling crowded or overrun with words, read this: 12 Tiny Changes That Make Your Resume Easy for Recruiters to Skim .

Once you’ve given it a few good looks, it may be worth sending it to a friend or colleague (or even a career coach ) to get a second opinion. Don’t just have them edit it for spelling and grammar—they should dig into your bullets and offer feedback on whether or not your resume is showing you in the best possible light (it’s smart to also send them the job description for something to compare it to).

Here’s the thing: Your resume won’t ever look exactly like someone else’s, nor should it. How you choose to format it, organize your information, and talk about specific experiences depends not just on your career path, but on your field, the job you’re applying for, the company that job is at, and more.

So there isn’t a universal way to do a resume. But there are common themes. To give you some context as to how yours might turn out, here are three examples of different kinds of resumes.

The Most Popular: A Reverse Chronological Resume

As previously mentioned, a reverse chronological resume is preferred by many coaches and HR experts, mainly because it’s super readable. When everything’s in a clear order, it’s easy to skim and even easier to draw lines between experiences.

Who it’s good for: Just about everyone—from students applying to internships all the way up to senior-level executives (with an optional resume summary statement)

Download an Example Chronological Resume for a Software Engineer

The Unorthodox Route: A Functional or Skills-Based Resume

Rather than listing out your experience in reverse chronological order, a functional or skills-based resume has bullet points that reflect how each of your skills is demonstrated by the work you’ve done over the course of your career. At the bottom, you’ll include everything else, such as your education, job history, professional achievements, community involvement, and other technical skills. This is a good option if you have a somewhat all-over-the-place work history and want to tie everything together neatly.

Who it’s good for: Career changers whose work experiences may not appear to be relevant and people with an abundance of temporary jobs or gaps in their work histories.

Download an Example Functional Resume for a Project Manager

The Creative Angle: An Infographic Resume or Resume Website

This resume type is characterized by how it’s formatted visually. You may choose a reverse chronological order or skills-based style to organize your information, but also use graphics, colors, unique fonts, and even multimedia elements to help that information pop. Keep in mind that any creative resume is still likely subject to an ATS—and certain elements may be unreadable by a robot. So consider going this route only if you know a human will be reading your resume (and that said human might enjoy it).

Who it’s good for: People applying to creative roles (designers, editors, writers, marketers, video producers, for example), startups, or fun companies, or to jobs where a creative resume is encouraged, if not required.

Download an Example Infographic Resume for a Designer

Not a designer but want your resume to look just as pretty as this example? Check out these articles:

• 5 Sites to Create an Awesome Infographic Resume (Even if You’re the Least Creative Person Ever)
• How to Build a Resume Website That Will Impress Every Hiring Manager Who Sees It
• 5 Digital Tools That Will Make Your Resume Infinitely More Beautiful

Your resume is a living, breathing document. So while you won’t go through this whole process every time you apply for a job, you should be thinking about all these things as you go to update your resume for your next career step. You might decide later on to switch up the order, or remove or add things, or even get creative and try out a whole new format. If you’re not getting the calls back you expect, you may decide to scrap it and start over —and that’s totally OK.

Regardless of where this piece of paper goes and how it grows, when you give it the care and attention it deserves, you set yourself up for success. And you’ll make it that much more likely that you’ll land an interview and get the chance to prove to the hiring manager—over the phone or in person—what you’ve got to offer.

Professional Resume Samples by Industry

Every job search starts with a professional resume that can impress and engage potential employers.
 And SkillHub is here to help you craft a winning resume! Check out our brilliant resume examples that will help you land a job!

Accounting & Finance

Accounting and Finance can be pretty tricky industries in terms of writing a professionally written resume that will enhance your job application. To help you get on the right track, we’ve collected the best Finance & Accounting resume samples created by our professional resume writing service :

What Should Good Resume Look Like?

Leave your email and get free perfect-resume examples that were selected by our experts.

Administration & Office Support

To create an example of a good resume for such positions, job seekers have to put emphasis on their key skills and experiences. Though it is hard, with SkillHub you can get brilliant Office Support & Administration resume examples.

Business & Management

The best Management and Business resume examples should exude confidence and professionalism, whilst also showing off your accomplishments, qualifications, and work experience. Find your perfect sample job resume from our list to learn how to create a winning resume yourself.

Construction & Maintenance

Looking for your perfect resume example for the Construction and Maintenance industry? You’ve come to the right place! Our experts have been in the writing business for long enough and know how to create flawless Maintenance and Construction resume examples.

Creative & Cultural Field

Writing a powerful resume to help you land an interview and get employed in a Creative or Cultural field is nothing like writing a basic resume example. It’s much more complex. But, with some creative resume examples, you will succeed.

Customer Service & Retail

The biggest trick in writing custom service resume samples is that every applicant needs to tailor his transferable skills to the chosen industry. But you can always get professional help at SkillHub and receive a brilliant example of a resume.

Education & Human Services

Human Services and Education resume examples should focus on your qualification level and experience. In the list below, we’ve compiled the best samples from our writers to help you find the best resume example and start a successful career easily.

Emergency Service

Preparing Emergency Service work applications that won’t get lost in the piles of others can be quite hard. And SkillHub makes it easy! Use our professionally-looking Emergency Service sample resume templates and samples to impress even the most demanding recruiters.

Engineering

Engineering is a very competitive field. Engineers typically have to undergo a complex selection and hiring process. Thus, to get hired, you have to ensure that your resume stands out from the crowd. Find your perfect resume sample in our database.

Food Service

Food service resume samples are industry-focused and, thus, are not easy to write. To help you get on track, we have collected some of the best sample resume options for professionals from the Food Service industry.

Healthcare & Wellbeing

Landing a good job in the Healthcare and Wellbeing industries can be tough, especially if your resume is somewhat weak. The professional team of SkillHub can help you solve this issue. Just look at the great examples of our writers’ work.

Information Technology (IT)

A dynamic introduction, attention to detail, professional lookout, and excellent structure - our IT resume examples have it all! Check out the best Information Technology resume examples from our top-rated information technology resume writing services to learn how to create your own winning IT resume.

Law & Legal

Impress any hiring manager with a top-notch example of a resume for Law and Legal positions. Discover the most efficient Law resume samples that can help you create your own resume and ensure that you’ll get plenty of interviews and offers.

Life Situation & Student

If you are a student who is looking for one's first job or a seasoned laborer who opted out from working due to some life situation, then writing a winning resume can be especially difficult. But, we’ve got you covered!

Marketing & Sales

Starting a successful career in the Marketing or Sales field is impossible without an impressive resume. That’s why we are here to share some great Sales and Marketing resume examples with you to help you get on the right track.

Personal & child care

When you apply for Personal or Child Care positions, you’ve got only one chance to make the right impression on the potential employer. SkillHub has everything you need to land employment. Find the best example resume that meets your needs.

Spa & Salon

A good resume and cover letter are your chances to brush up on your job application and ensure faster employment. Invest in your career by looking at our excellent resumes to find the right sample resume format that will work best for you.

Transportation & Logistics

What does it take to become a Logistics or Transportation industry employee? It’s a good resume and Linkedin profile . We’ve made a list of Logistics & Transportation resume samples that you can use to get plenty of interviews and land your dream job faster.

Your resume is the most important tool in your career. It is your professional card and the best way to impress potential employers from your desired industry. Unfortunately, you risk losing your job application, among many others, if you make a mistake. On the other hand, if you have a professional resume and can grab attention, you can easily land the job you want. ‍ A professional resume is the first step in any job search. It should appeal to potential employers and engage them. SkillHub can help you create a winning resume. Our professional resume editing and writing service are designed to help professionals make a good impression on employers and HRs and get more offers from their desired businesses.

What Makes Our Resumes Stand Out

Our experts know what your potentials want and are available to help you deliver it. You can be sure to have a perfect resume with a strong structure and professional content. Our extensive library of templates allows us to create authentic resumes. We also have many editors and resume writers with years of experience. Every writer's profile can be viewed publicly on our website so that you can find the right expert for you. SkillHub’s professionals know how important this document is. Recruiters and hiring managers spend at most seven seconds on your resume, so every second counts if you want to make a good impression. As a result, they produce direct and straight-to-the-point resumes. They know the significance of it, what to include and how to differentiate important from unimportant information from your career. ‍

What Is the Ideal Example of a Resume?

The ideal example of a resume has clear and consistent formatting. It can have bullet points included to express work experience. It should not have information about hobbies, graphs, and photos. Your resume sample should focus on your relevant experiences, but if you don’t have much experience, it can present your relevant internships or volunteer experience. The skills section is a significant part that can make or break your resume. You should provide a snapshot of your authentic skills or any samples from your achievements, such as certificates.

Your main objective is to get hired, so ensure you use an executive summary and place it directly below your necessary contact information on the template. This will help you emphasize the qualifications for the wanted position. A pro tip is to highlight accomplishments instead of job duties. Avoid copy-pasting your job description into your resume. Achievements are far more important. Lastly, your contact information should be current and obvious. Feel free to add your portfolio or LinkedIn profile.

Why Our Resume Examples Are the Best for 2023?

Many resume examples are available, so you only need to pick your favorite and ensure it fits the jobs you are aiming at. We offer modern resume templates with clear sections to help you highlight your best features. In addition, our resumes have white spaces to prevent the document from looking jam-packed and tough to read. ‍ Our resumes stand out and are made to catch attention. For example, adding a bold color is a great way to do it. But, again, you should expect something other than a rainbow of colors. SkillHub’s experts do them strategically and use different colors to add emphasis, personality, and a pop of contrast. Color also breaks up the black text on your resume. One thing that makes our service special is that we regularly update our resume examples and formats list and enter resumes that still need to be added to the site. This helps us stay relevant and innovative and brings a creative and professional side to our experts intending to provide the best service out there.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Linda Raynier's Career School

I want a top notch resume .

You CAN land the job you want, as long as you have a top notch resume that sells you to hiring managers.

Top Notch Resume is my step-by-step guide that teaches you how to write a compelling resume from start to finish, line-by-line. My private clients have used this approach to revamp their resumes and have not only landed more interviews, but JOB OFFERS as a result! This course will teach you the same.

• Understand the structure of a top notch resume and how it works
• Learn the key strategy that makes you a match to the jobs you apply for
• Discover the keywords that attract employers and make them want to interview YOU
• Implement the fill-in-the-blank templates and formulas to writing out your resume, from start to finish

And on top of that, this will all be taught to you within 2 hours!

Course Curriculum

Special Message from Linda!

Phase 1: The Perfect Job

Phase 2: The Perfect Profile

Top Notch Resume Outline Worksheet

Phase 3: Compelling Professional Experience

BONUS #1: How to Create a Good LinkedIn Profile

Bonus #1: How to Create a Good LinkedIn Profile

BONUS #2: Job Search Strategy to Land More Interviews

About this course

• 2.5 hours of video content

Founder, Top Notch Resume & Top Notch Interview Linda Raynier

5 Key Ingredients For A "Top-Notch" Resume

Dear Sam: I just started reading your column and wondered if you could provide me with a critique of my resume. With so much—and often conflicting—advice available, can you give me some of the key points on your recommendations to create a top-notch resume? — Jami

Dear Jami: Absolutely. And, yes, there is far too much advice floating around out there much of which is dated in nature and goes against anything best practices-based. Here is what I promise is up-to-date advice to developing your resume—your brand!

Aesthetics & Formatting

One of the major downfalls in resumes is that the majority lack any visual appeal and are typically created using very common templates. While content is very important in creating a resume that grabs the attention of a hiring manager, the aesthetics of that document can compel or repel interest. You must engage the reader through the use of a professional and visually appealing layout.

While most may feel that this section is self-explanatory, I often see major mistakes in this area. The heading on your resume should include your name, address—just your city and state is fine—cell number, and email address. You may list your home phone number but only do so if you are the primary person answering the phone. There is no need for someone else to be giving your first impression. Be sure to take a moment to look at your email address and verify that it reinforces the professional tone of your resume. I noticed many email addresses that contained birth years, ages, and other personal information that should not be presented on a resume.

Qualifications Summary

I am concerned that a large percentage of resumes still do not contain qualifications summaries, and instead waste space disclosing a vague objective that serves no purpose. Defining your purpose or objective is critically important to the development of this section, but instead of simply stating your objective, this section, along with everything on your resume, should be developed to sell yourself for the type(s) of roles you are seeking. Develop this section based on a primary target, presenting a brief summary of your key qualifiers related to your objective. Engage the reader or screener by performing due diligence to understand the keywords for the position(s) of interest, and infuse those keywords throughout this summary and the remainder of your resume.

Professional Experience

Next to the qualifications summary, a strong professional experience section, with achievements highlighted, is critical in driving a successful job search. A lot of readers struggle in determining how many years of experience to disclose on their resume, and unfortunately while there are guidelines, there are no steadfast rules on this topic. As a general rule, you should plan on including about 8-15 years of experience depending on how much of that experience enhances and supports your candidacy. Executives can plan to include more experience as it is assumed that when you reach a certain level, you have the experience to complement your high-level objective. Include only years, not months and years, of employment in order to minimize the appearance of gaps, overlaps, and job-hops. And when presenting accomplishments, highlight them as such, do not intermingle them with daily responsibilities or the hiring manager will not be able to ascertain your “value.”

A lot of the resumes I review included unnecessary information within the education section. Don’t be afraid to omit the education section if it detracts from your candidacy. If you never went to college, that’s okay, but this does not mean that you have to have an education section presenting only your high school diploma.

I hope these tips will help you identify where you may be able to make changes with your resume to improve its effectiveness.

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How to Create a Top-Notch Resume

To succeed in your job search, you need to craft a top-notch resume that forces hiring managers to stop and carefully examine it. If you can’t achieve that, you’ll have a hard time landing a job. Since most hiring managers only spend about 5-7 seconds looking at any resume, your goal is to have them dedicate more time to yours. This means you’ll have to spend more than just a few minutes creating your resume—after all, it’s one of the most important documents in your career, and slapping together a generic, lackluster resume won’t get you anywhere. 

For maximum results, you can hire a professional resume writer to do the work for you. These experts have plenty of experience crafting stellar resumes, and they know all the latest trends, so their work can attract employers’ attention.

No matter who writes your resume, you want one that’s consistent with who you are as a person and a professional. You want something that clearly highlights all your qualifications and paints you in as positive a light as possible without being dishonest or disingenuous. As you go through the stages of creating your resume, check out these tips for putting together an outstanding one.  

Preparing to write your resume

If you’re writing a book, you’ll end up with a total mess unless you plan your content before you put pen to paper. The same goes for your resume. Carefully consider what you want to include before you begin typing because that’s how you craft a professional resume. 

Create social media profiles

Hiring managers nowadays browse social media profiles to get a better idea of who the candidates are. Most of the time, they will go to LinkedIn since it’s a career development platform. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, create one and start networking to build connections. A LinkedIn account is also a great opportunity to provide information you couldn’t fit on your resume. 

As for other social media (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram), go through your posts and make sure anything potentially objectionable is deleted or set to private. Bottom line: Employers want to see that you are passionate about your career and developing yourself as a professional; what they don’t want to see is anything that indicates you’re irresponsible, incendiary, or unprofessional. 

Search sample job descriptions

A generic resume won’t get you anywhere. Is it annoying and tedious to tailor your resume to each job you apply for? Yes, of course. Is it worth it? That’s another resounding “of course.” There are tons of sample job descriptions available for a wide range of fields, and this gives you an opportunity to practice locating keywords and requirements in job descriptions and tailoring your resume. 

Writing your resume

Writing your resume is the step that will take the longest, but this is also the stage where you should put the most effort. If you do your homework, this step will go smoothly. Here are some things to keep in mind to ensure you end up with a top-notch resume.

Your personal information

This section includes information such as your home address, phone number, email address, and even your social media accounts. The most crucial thing to remember about this section is to be consistent with your personal brand. If your name is Benjamin but all your social media accounts say “Ben,” use “Ben” in your personal information. This helps avoid confusion when the hiring manager is searching for you on social media or even considering you for the position.

Your career summary

Your career summary should be no more than five lines, but it’s one of the most important elements of your resume because it briefly describes your top skills and experience that make you a great candidate for the job. It’s the first thing the hiring manager will see, so you want to present your strongest attributes and entice the recruiter to read more. 

If you want a top-notch resume, don’t focus on just “getting the job.” Instead, stress how you can successfully fulfill the responsibilities of the position you’re applying for. You want to show the recruiter why you’re the right fit for the job, not why the job is the right fit for you.

Your skills section

This is where you get to use all those keywords you identified. Fill your skills section with keywords and requirements from the job description. However, don’t list skills that don’t apply to you. If you lie, expect the hiring manager to find out. Then all the skills you do have won’t matter, and even if you’re phenomenally qualified, no one will want to hire a liar.

If you simply fill this section with generic skills one could find on any resume, it may not pass the applicant tracking system (ATS). These days, most companies use ATSs, which are computer programs that scan resumes and toss aside any that don’t contain the relevant keywords. If your resume doesn’t make it past this system, it will never get into the hands of the hiring manager. A top-notch resume must include skills and requirements from the job description to reach the recruiter.

Your work experience

This is where you prove the skills you listed earlier. As you detail your work experience, go in reverse order, beginning with your most recent job and moving backward. Instead of merely providing a description of your responsibilities, demonstrate how you used or developed your skills to succeed at your job. Here’s an example of a job description versus a skill demonstration:

Job description: Responsible for creating marketing strategies to improve seasonal sales.

Skills demonstration: Created marketing strategies that improved seasonal sales by 23%.

It’s important to demonstrate your skills and show how you can deliver results, ideally by providing numbers, statistics, or percentages. This helps hiring managers see that you have what it takes to fulfill their needs.

Keep in mind that work experience extends beyond paying jobs. It can include internships, volunteer work, or involvement with any association that’s enhanced your skills. Your work experience section is meant to highlight anything that demonstrates the necessary qualifications for the job you’re applying for.

Your education

How much education you need depends on the job you’re after. It’s always important to look at the educational requirements, but don’t lose hope just because your education doesn’t match what the employer wants. Apply nevertheless and use your skills and experience to show you can work for them. If you’re applying for a job that requires a college degree or higher, don’t list your high school diploma—start with your college degree and work up from there.

You don’t have to stop at listing your college degrees. If you’ve completed any job-specific courses or received a relevant certification, include those in your education section. Hiring managers love to see that you’re still learning. In fact, showing off your extracurricular studies or autodidactic tendencies is a way to demonstrate your tenacity, drive, and passion. Just as in your work experience section, include anything relevant to the job. 

If you’ve been working for more than 15 years, you don’t have to list all the jobs you’ve had. In fact, it’s often a good idea not to since you could face age discrimination. The key is to list the jobs that are most current and relevant to the one you’re applying for. You can always include a “previous work history” section that briefly presents other jobs and helps clarify any gaps in employment.

Completing your resume

When you finish writing your resume, don’t immediately submit it and forget all about it. The final touches may be more important than you realize, and if you neglect them, it can have serious consequences for your job search.

Proofread your resume

One of the top reasons why hiring managers stop considering a candidate is a typo or a formatting issue in the resume. To avoid this, carefully read through your resume to catch any spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization errors. Also, look for any formatting issues, including margins, spacing, and line divisions. You want your resume to look clean and consistent throughout. The best practice is to hire a professional proofreader since it’s incredibly difficult to proofread your own work.

Hire a resume expert

Even if you choose to write your resume yourself, it’s wise to hire a resume expert to inspect it. There are many benefits to hiring a professional resume writer. They know how to craft a resume that passes the ATS and lands on the hiring manager’s desk. To ensure the best results, they get to know you a little so they can tailor your resume to you and the job you’re applying for. Invest in a resume expert —you won’t regret it!

Keep learning

While you’re waiting to hear from the hiring manager about the job, continue to hone your skills and increase your value. If you’re continuously learning, you can discuss this during your interview. Employers love team members who constantly strive for improvement. Whether that’s reading books about your industry and specialty, furthering your education, or practicing your craft, do what you can to develop as a professional. Success comes to those who work for it.

Writing a resume is no joke. It takes careful thought and serious planning at every stage of the process, but if you do it right the first time, you might just land the first job you apply for. If the job is important to you, your resume should be important to you, too. If you want an even better chance of snagging your dream job, have our professional resume writers do the work for you!

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Resume Samples

Your resume and related career documents get you in the door. They are critical to getting more interviews. Only distinct and compelling resumes make the cut.

Each sample resume tells the client’s unique success story in each job. To tell your best story, I take the time to learn about you and who you are … your professional goals and strengths (your sweet spot) … your personal traits … the particular business challenges that consistently make you the “go-to” person, your unique combination of sets, and, of course, the results delivered.

My approach captures your brand … all the things I need to present a clear focus and write compelling content that sets you apart with a format appropriate for you and your career … no generic templates.

The resume samples are published in Martin Yate’s Knock ‘em Dead Resumes, David Noble’s Gallery of Best Resumes, the JIST Expert Resumes series and other career books.

Chief Executive Officer/President

Vice President of Sales

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Operating Officer

Chief Marketing Officer

Executive Director

In addition, my work has been published in more than 34 books that feature examples of my resumes and cover letters:

• Resume Magic, 4th ed. – Susan Whitcomb
• The Twitter Job Search Guide – Susan Whitcomb, Chandlee Bryan, and Deb Dib
• Cover Letters That Knock ‘Em Dead – Martin Yate
• Resumes That Knock ‘Em Dead – Martin Yate
• Resume Winners from the Pros – Wendy Enelow
• Expert Resumes for Managers and Executives
• Expert Resumes for Manufacturing Careers
• Expert Resumes for People Returning to Work
• Expert Resumes for Engineers
• Expert Resumes for Military-to-Civilian Transitions
• Expert Resumes for Teachers and Educators
• Expert Resumes for Health Care Careers
• Expert Resumes for Baby Boomers
• Expert Resumes for Career Changers
• Expert Resumes for College Students and New Graduates
• Best Cover Letters for $100,000+ Jobs
• Best Career Transition Resumes for $100,000+ Jobs
• Executive Job Search for $100,000 to $1 Million-Plus Jobs
• Gallery of Best Resumes for Tax and Accounting Occupations
• Gallery of Best Cover Letters
• Cover Letter Magic
• Cover Letters for Dummies – Joyce Lain Kennedy
• Job Search Magic
• Interview Magic
• The Quick Resume and Cover Letter Book – Michael Farr
• High-Level Resumes: High-Powered Tactics for High-Level Professionals
• The Ferguson Guide to Resumes and Job-Hunting Skills
• Designing the Perfect Resume
• PARWCC Training Handbook for Professional Resume Writers
• America’s Top Resumes for America’s Top Jobs
• America’s Top Jobs for People Without a Four-Year Degree
• America’s Top Jobs for College Graduates
• America’s Fastest Growing Jobs
• Best Resumes and CVs for International Jobs
• 101 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Career
• No-Nonsense Cover Letters
• No-Nonsense Resumes
• No-Nonsense Resumes for the Rest of Us
• Directory of Professional Resume Writers
• Excellence in Outplacement Practice (Case study representing best practices in career transition and management)

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5 Actionable Tips To Ensure Your Work Experience Section Is Top-Notch

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With a professionally-crafted resume, you could get the job you want  within three months  after submitting your application.

As a senior-level job seeker, you should understand that the experience section is the most vital area of your resume; it should be clear, well defined, and structured.

With decades of experience, there are various ways to demonstrate your work proficiency.

In this article, we explain why work experience on your resume is important, what to include in the experience section, how to showcase your experience of 20+ years in a resume and give tips to get you started.

Why Is Work Experience on Your Resume Important?

While every part of your resume is essential, the experience section tells the potential employer more about your career path, achievements, previous employers, contributions in your previous posts, skill-set, and that you have the qualifications to be an asset to their organization.

In most cases, potential employers turn to the experience section first to gauge whether you’re the perfect fit for the job.

Clearly outlining your work experience on your resume is vital as it gives you a competitive edge over the other candidates. Furthermore, you can provide significant information in a limited space.

What To Include in a Resume Experience Section?

Before writing your resume, gather all your work histories and list your acquired experiences over the years. For every job position, ensure you include all these elements:

• Company or employer name
• Location; state, city, or remote
• Dates of your employment, from your start to end date
• Details of your contributions and accomplishments

How to Showcase Your Experience of 20+ Years in a Resume

When writing a resume, you might be tempted to include every detail about your past roles, achievements, and expertise. However, the  University of Michigan (UMICH)  concurs that less is always more in such cases.

Here are some steps you can take to effectively showcase your 20+ years of experience in the work history area:

Include Detailed Relevant Info

Write specific information about your previous posts in detail. For instance, write the complete and official names of the companies you worked for, the location of the companies, employment dates, and job titles. You should also ensure that this information is relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Format the Work Experience Section Properly

Write a brief introduction for every position or a bullet-point list outlining your responsibilities.

Ensure that every position you list prioritizes your contributions and achievements to the role. Detail your work history in reverse chronological order, meaning the most recent post you’ve held should come first.

Keep the professional experience area relevant to the specific role and include statements targeting those potential jobs. Limit yourself to only five bullet points per job for the work history. Explain this section with action verbs, such as saved, spearheaded, and implemented, to be more concise and increase the hiring manager’s curiosity.

Show Don’t Tell

Whenever you write about your accomplishments, always show how you achieved your goals with measurable results.

For instance, writing “I helped my previous organization make more sales” sounds shallow. Instead, quantify your results like this, “I helped my team members achieve 4.5% productivity which led to an increase of sales by 14%.”

Customize Your Work Experience to the Specific Job

According to a  recent report , more than 63% of recruiters prefer candidates who’ve customized their applications to the specific job description.

Even when you’ve done exemplary work over the years, don’t include them in your work history if they’re irrelevant to the position you seek. Writing irrelevant information only distracts the hiring manager from the more important information.

Ensure you create a new resume for each application you send to showcase your skills and why you’re the best candidate.

Keep It Brief

A thumb rule is only to include work experience spanning 15 years when writing a resume.

When you include excessive information, the section will become overwhelming for the recruiter to read and distract them from relevant, recent information. Ensure you make your bullet lists easy to read and concise.

Brief information tells a lot about you while still showing your relevant skills and expertise, as many recruiters don’t have the time to go through jam-packed resumes with many details when they have hundreds of applications to sort through.

Tips for Writing Your Previous Work Experience

Writing the perfect work history demands time, efficiency, and creativity. Here are some tips to get you started on your work history section and help you proceed to the interview phase:

• Use present tense when writing about your current positions and past tense for your previous roles 
• Use different resume versions for different career paths by customizing your job entries for each position and mentioning the most appropriate relevant experience 
• Mention voluntary work whenever possible, including part-time positions, internships, or voluntary work, especially if you’re switching careers 
• Avoid grammatical errors because your resume is also a writing sample that tells potential employers more about you; grammatical mistakes give the impression that you’re inattentive to details or lazy, so always ensure that a professional proofreads your resume before submitting it
• Close and open the work history section with your most critical strengths because most hiring managers often skim the bulleted lists under each post, and they may miss details in the middle
• Mention the challenges you overcame, as most recruiters use this to determine how you’ll help them once they employ you; describe an occasion where you helped solve a crisis, problem, or challenge to demonstrate your capabilities and skills

Bottom Line

Writing a resume of more than 20 years’ experience can be a daunting task, especially when you don’t know where to begin or the resources to use.

While no one template fits all needs of every job seeker, the above tips are vital to get you started.

Enlisting the services of an executive coach and a  professional resume writer  can prove invaluable.

At Ivy Exec, our all-inclusive membership helps you learn more about the latest executive job vacancies, interview advice, and career strategies. 

Sign up today  for our newsletter for more resume writing tips to ensure your work experience section is top-notch. 

Jennifer Aline Graham

Jennifer Aline Graham is an active writer who and blogger. She is a self-published author who believes professionalism is the key to a fulfilling career, regardless of field.

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How to write a top-notch CV

How do you set out finding your dream job? Join Oxford university careers adviser Jonathan Black for his top tips on writing an eye-catching résumé and find out what advice best-selling author Elizabeth Uviebinene has to offer on building a personal brand

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Directed and produced by Joe Sinclair. Co-produced by Janina Conboye. Filmed by Joe Sinclair and Petros Gioumpasis. Edited by Joe Sinclair and Richard Topping

You can enable subtitles (captions) in the video player

So first, we're going to talk about CVs. CV stands for curriculum vitae, Latin for the course of my life. In America, they use resume, a summary of your life. The CV remember, is only to get you the interview. It's not to get you the job.

What it should do is contain just enough to intrigue the reader that the next thing they want to do is actually meet you. So the three points you're trying to get over in a CV are that you take responsibility, you achieve things, and that you're nice to have around. But first, let's hear from some of our students.

I'd definitely like to steer my career in a more creative direction where I'm less restricted by corporate boundaries and I can be a bit more creative in my approach to my work.

Last year, I took the decision to leave my job in finance and pursue a master's in neuroscience. It was a bit of a risk at the time. And it's never nice to stop making money.

As well as fashion, music is something that I'm really, really, really enthusiastic and passionate about. I've performed with choirs at the Brit awards. I performed in front of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.

My biggest achievement is working with a big US bank on the Brexit project during my summer internship. And another big achievement of mine was actually getting into university despite my poor grades.

I had lived in three different continents and I travelled over 25 different countries by the age of 25.

Something I'm very proud of is that I'm doing my second degree on the side, which is a distance learning course. And I'm teaching everything to myself, so at least I've been told that this is something to be proud of.

So CV, the main rule is to think about the reader. Think about the person on the other side. It could be a wet Wednesday night and they've got a column of 80 of these things to get through. And they'd really rather go home now than be in the office and they've got to work through them.

So it's that first no more than two seconds that someone is going to read them. So they're going to glance, let's just pick this one, and what you want is the person to say, oh, OK. Well, that's good, rather than the ... the heart sink, too much to read sort of stuff. So thinking about the reader.

What we want on here is evidence, not assertion. And my first point would be, many of you have put a little background, or a little sort of commentary, at the start, a paragraph at the start, a personal statement. And you called it, Nithya, you called it background. We've got a profile from Bradley. And another one from Cosima.

In fact, nearly all of you have done it. The problem with them is A, it takes up space, which you would be better used with some more evidence on here. And secondly, a lot of it is assertion with no evidence behind it. And you've got to think anybody could write some of this stuff.

So anybody could have written: "I have a strong record in extracurricular activities." "I'm an ambitious third-year student." I wouldn't actually have the personal statement because you're going to need the space for evidence of other things.

And we also, ideally, going to get this onto one page rather than two. There is a variation in these, and that's fine too. It is your CV. There is no standard one format to go.

You've put education at the top. Generally, at this stage, education and then experience. And I would put all experience together, not just volunteering separately, or skills and achievements, or work. I would just have experience, in reverse order, and then, finally, other outside interests.

Hi. Let me just interrupt for a minute. My name's Elizabeth Uviebinene, and I'm a marketing manager. I've also just co-authored a bestselling book all about empowering women. As you start out on your career, I want to share something I found empowering for myself - building a personal brand.

When I was 16, I was convinced I was going to fail my GCSEs. I decided to find a job before disappointment on results day. It forced me to step out of my comfort zone and apply some creative thinking. I pitched an outdoor film screening to a London gallery and ways to appeal to a younger, diverse audience. They took up the idea and it became my first experience in marketing.

I did do well on results day and I went on to college. But what I didn't know was I had already started to build an authentic personal brand - collaborative, creative, enterprising. And it's a brand that's been vital as I progressed in my career. So what does a personal brand even mean?

Ultimately, to understand your brand is to understand what makes you unique, special, and what makes you stand out. Ask yourself, what are you good at? What are your values? Which qualities do you want to accentuate? What contribution do you want to make? What do you want to be known for?

That's something that you should start thinking about as you sit down to write your CV and start applying for jobs. Find three words that best describe you and the impact you want to make at work. Yes, it's a bit about marketing yourself, but it's also a self-reminder of who you are or want to be.

I've heard people say, "if I'm good at my job, then that should speak for itself." And that's true. But your reputation is part of your brand. It's what people say when you're not in the room.

And it helps you stand out in a competitive professional field, meaning you no longer have to chase all the opportunities, they'll start chasing you. So remember, branding is not just about businesses or logos, it's about your own unique selling points. Right. Back to the classroom.

Three things we're trying to get over in the content of what you write-- that you take responsibility, that you achieve things, and that you're nice to have around. That's why I would employ you. So in all the bullet points, a great way to write them is to actually start them by saying, responsibilities included, or achievements included.

We don't want process. Process is boring, actually. And also, it doesn't tell me if you spent 10 minutes producing the annual report, or 6 months, and who you presented the annual report to. Here's-- I'll pick out one here-- "attending team meetings." Well, but that's what you do as part of the job.

But what was the outcome? Did you write the minutes? Did you arrange things? What did you achieve? Because that's the only reason people pay you is that you achieve stuff. So you could just say, key responsibilities included X, Y, Z. Included means there's so much I could write to you about.

But remember that point, we're trying to intrigue people. I really want to find out how they did that. How did they raise a business? How did they work with this company? What was that? But now, I'm going to have to meet them. And then you've won because then you're in the room.

Make your applications look attractive, clean, easy to read. Short sentences. Active verbs. No jargon. Use Anglo-Saxon words, not Latin-based. Check you've got the correct use of apostrophes. No overused words like honed or passion.

And certainly, no typos. Above all, remember that no applicant meets all the criteria. So if you think you only meet 80%, you're doing really well. Show how you have equivalent experience or skills to meet their criteria. Finally, polish to perfection.

So lets go into more detail within the bullet points. And let's pick yours, Cosima. Numbers add power to all of these bullet points. So, for example, you said, "Helped the site administrator with a diverse range of procurement-related tasks." It doesn't tell me whether that was half a day, or 2 months of working there, or whether it consumed a lot of your time. If you told us what sort of tasks, what the values were, even rough ranges of values.

When you talk about "wrote a technical manual," who is now using that? Has that been implemented and rolled out to the rest of the company? What happened with that? What was the achievement you got there? "Wrote a research report for somebody." Again, kind of give us a length of how long it was, who it went to, who you presented it to.

There was 1 over here, "Organised a charity event"-- which is great because, especially with students, there isn't a lot of work experience, but there's lots of other stuff you've done-- "to raise money for underage refugees." Brilliant. Great things to have done. Tell us how much money. And it doesn't matter if it was $50, $500, $5,000 or whatever, because getting people to part with money is pretty difficult usually.

Everyone says they will, but you've actually gone out and done it. So tell us how much it was. And that tells us 2 things-- that you know that money is important and that measuring things is important. And that's a really strong implicit message to send to any recruiter.

Remember the third thing of a CV is teamwork, always nice to have around. You can't really write on here, I'm a nice person to have around. But what you can do is show, with third-party endorsements, that other people think you're nice. So if you were elected to a position, tell us about it.

How do you deal with gaps in your CV?

Every employer recognises that you're human beings. People get ill. You have to look after other people who are ill. You might have been travelling. It's fine, but explain what happened. We want to make sure you weren't in gaol.

Even with travelling, like if you take a gap year, you can make a big virtue out of it about, I visited 17 countries in 3 months. I photographed 4 active volcanoes, whatever it was you did, I swam in 4 oceans of the world.

This third section, which is classically interests, community activity, social activities you do, try to avoid things that we all do like reading, going to cinema, cooking, socialising, using Facebook, or whatever it is. And focus on something that's going to start a conversation, something common that's not about the job that you can talk to the interviewer about.

Any good interviewer would spend a couple of minutes warming you up anyway and say, oh, I see that you've driven a car to Ulaanbaatar. Tell me about that. How was that? I've never been to Mongolia, so how did that go?

Are there any major red flags that you'd say we should avoid having on our CV.

We don't need to know about your clean driving licence or your Microsoft Office skills because everyone has those, or if they don't, you're probably not applying for a driving job anyway. Minimise it to just exactly what is needed here. References available upon request, waste of ink. We know that. Don't bother putting it on there.

And remember, there's all that discrimination legislation. So we don't want to know about age, marital status, sexual preferences, or any of that stuff. It's not appropriate. It's not relevant.

So, in summary, people read the CVs as like a capital letter F, down the side, and across the top to get your name, and somewhere in the middle. That's about 1 or 2 seconds to read that. And when they read that, they want to pick out that you are someone who takes responsibility, you achieve things, and that you're nice to have around.

So I want some very strong words down the left-hand side. [? Things ?] like [INAUDIBLE] ordered, presented, responsible for, those sorts of strong words. And you can make it shorter and cut out all the process. Overall, it's something that everyone can learn to do well.

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Two Weeks to Top-Notch Resumes and Cover Letters

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Kaplan Career Core is the University of Arizona’s partner to help Wildcats get career-ready, no matter their starting point! Career Core’s topic-based online curriculum is available 24/7.

New to resumes and cover letters and don’t know where to start? Applying for an internship or full-time job and want to make sure that your resume is top notch? Or maybe you’re somewhere in-between? Here are 4 topics to guide you:

Topic 13 – Representing Yourself Professionally

Learn the fundamentals of creating an effective resume and cover letter. (Recommended for students who would like an introduction to resumes).

Topic 15 – Accomplishment Tracking and Sharing

Organize and prioritize your accomplishments and identify how to share them most effectively. (Recommended for students who would like guidance related to reflecting on their accomplishments and how best to communicate them).

Topic 18 – Company Research

Research organizations in order to tailor your resume and cover letter to them. (Recommended for students in an active internship or job search).

Topic 21 – Resumes and Cover Letters

Develop a resume repository and create targeted resumes and cover letters. (Recommended for students in an active internship or job search).

Kaplan Career Core meets you where you are! If you’re new to resumes, Topic 13 might be all you need at the moment. If you have a resume and are preparing to apply for an internship, Topics 15 and 18 can help you shine. Preparing to graduate and want to target your materials to varied opportunities and maximize your chance of getting multiple interviews? Then Topic 21 might be just the advice you need.

If you have not logged on to Kaplan Career Core yet, your first log in (using your university netid and password) will take you to the home page to set up your account. Then select  “Kaplan Career Core” from the dashboard, and then “Curriculum Outline” and “Shortcuts” to take you to this learning path. After your first login the links will take you directly to each topic.

We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O'odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.

THE Resume Template & Strategy That Actually Gets You the Job Offer .

(my 3-hour resume approach that gets you: noticed by employers, called in for in-person interviews and lands you the job offer).

  Whether you’re an entry-level/new grad or highly experienced corporate professional (OR ANYTHING in between) - this is the solution you’ve been searching for to crack the code at getting interviews and job offers from companies you apply to. Buy button is below! I’ll see you on the inside! 

Let's be honest. Sending in the same resume every day with no strategy behind it isn't going to help you land those amazing interviews nor job offers you oh so badly desire.  

So let me ask you - Do you feel frustrated because you’re not getting called back for interviews/job offers? Are you desperately looking for a job from one of those companies you’d love to work for? Are you a good employee, hardworker and capable of doing the job but you have NO IDEA how to sell yourself?  

I completely understand where you’re coming from, because I’ve met thousands of professionals like you before. And I’ve helped hundreds of them land job offers. Which is why I put together this simple 3 part video series that will walk you through everything you need to know about creating a top notch resume.  

 Your Top Notch Resume Membership is NOW Available!

(All prices shown in USD)

Imagine Where Your Career Would be if You Also Had a Top Notch Resume , Just Like Our Past Students: 

"after applying linda's strategies in top notch resume , i received 3 onsite interviews and got 2 job offers within 2 months and at a higher salary".

“Before going through the Top Notch Resume program, I was doubting myself that I would not be able to find another job. Over a year of applying for jobs on and off, I got 2 onsite interviews, but never got a job offer. I felt discouraged many times after going to the interview and not hearing back from the recruiters afterwards. After going through the course, I realized what I was doing wrong, such as inundating a list of work responsibilities on the resume and applying to all job postings without a goal in mind. Without the program, I would probably still be stuck in the same job without further career growth or development. After applying Linda's strategies, I received 3 onsite interviews and got 2 jobs offers within 2 months and at a higher salary. I realized my skills and experiences are valuable and learnt to connect the values I can bring to each interview. Thinking about where I'm at in my career now, I feel excited to be on the right path, which is financial planning and analysis. I enjoy the work more since I have more clarity in myself, such as career goal, experiences and strengths I have and where I can develop further. Overall, I would recommend the Top Notch Resume course, because Linda's methods are structured and easy to follow that anyone can apply the strategies right away. Thank you Linda for everything!”  

  - Vickie T. | Financial Analyst

"With Linda's help and encouragement, I was able to achieve an average of 1 interview per 2 weeks instead of 1 per month, and got a job offer in just a month after going through the Top Notch Resume course!"

“Before I signed up for Top Notch Resume I was so frustrated and always felt so negative all the time because over a one year time frame I applied for over 50 jobs but only got 1 job interview on average on a monthly basis. The result was truly dissatisfying and so I reflected upon myself during the course of my job hunting but no matter how hard I tried to figure out what went wrong and look for ways to improve, my efforts never paid off. After I purchased Top Notch Resume and applied Linda's strategies, everything turned from negative to positive. While going through the video tutorials, I realized what I was doing wrong, such as having a resume that was too lengthy and not having any keywords to link to the job description. Furthermore, I didn't customize my resume for every new job I applied to. With Linda's help and encouragement, I was able to achieve an average of 1 interview per 2 weeks instead of 1 per month, and got a job offer in just a month after going through the Top Notch Resume course! When I think about where I'm at in my career now, I feel so excited and happy. I also realize that landing on a job doesn't solely rely on luck, but very much depends on the strategies you apply when you search for a job, create your resume and sell yourself in the interview. I strongly recommend taking Top Notch Resume because you will learn how to create a compelling resume to impress recruiters and hiring managers, which will in tern increase your chances of landing a new job offer. Thank you Linda!”  

  - Antony L. | Hong Kong

"Within 3 months of revising my resume using the tips from Top Notch Resume , I received 2 interviews for jobs that I felt were an excellent fit for me. And I'm thrilled to share that I landed one of those jobs! In my opinion, the course has "something for everyone". The approach is applicable regardless of field. There are plenty of examples and it's very easy to follow along."

“I really do want to say thanks for the guidance that Top Notch Resume has provided - it definitely worked for me. After making the decision that it was time for a career change, I wasn't making much progress. I felt that I was a "generalist" and my resume reflected that; a broad assortment of bullet points that weren't telling a story that would get me interviews. Also, because I hadn't identified my unique skills/strengths, I didn't even know what types of jobs to apply for. So I was caught in a circular loop and not getting feedback and not knowing where to apply. It sounds pretty intuitive in hindsight, but I really needed some guidance. The Top Notch Resume course helped me reframe my skills and capture the core value of my work experience in terms that applied to other roles. Within 3 months of revising my resume using the tips from the course, I received 2 interviews for jobs that I felt were an excellent fit for me. And I'm thrilled to share that I landed one of those jobs! In my opinion, Top Notch Resume has "something for everyone". The approach is applicable regardless of field. There are plenty of examples and it's very easy to follow along. I have been recommending it to everyone I come across who is considering a job change or even just thinking about updating their resume. ”  

  - Doug A. | Director of Customer Success

"Fast forward to finishing Top Notch Resume - I noticed I was getting far more responses to my applications even without referrals. At this point, I was getting interviewed by companies like Google and Apple in California. After a period of about 6 months, I ended up accepting what I now consider my dream job in San Francisco."

“Before I had found out about Top Notch Resume, I was stuck in a small Toronto-based engineering firm. While I was building my skills at this job, I felt overworked, underpaid, and suffocated in an extremely hostile workplace. I knew this wasn’t sustainable, but when I would send my resume out (to positions that I would be a great candidate for), I would hardly get a response. Fast forward to finishing Top Notch Resume - I noticed I was getting far more responses to my applications even without referrals. At this point, I was getting interviewed by companies like Google and Apple in California. After a period of about 6 months, I ended up accepting what I now consider my dream job in San Francisco. I’m extremely happy with the work, the culture, the salary, and the benefits. In all honesty, I never really thought I could enjoy going to work this much. With that I want to say thank you - I don’t think I would have got this job without Top Notch Resume. ”  

  - Mark A. | Electrical Engineer

"Before using Linda's Top Notch Resume strategy, I applied to 14 jobs and got only 1 interview that did not lead to a job. But after using the Top Notch Resume course, I applied to 10 jobs that lead to 4 phone interviews and 3 in person interviews and 1 job offer."

“Before using Linda's Top Notch Resume strategy, I applied to 14 jobs and got only 1 interview that did not lead to a job. But after using the Top Notch Resume course, I applied to 10 jobs that lead to 4 phone interviews and 3 in person interviews and 1 job offer. I accepted a Manager position and will be doing molecular biology work, with almost double of what I am earning now! ”  

  - Navneet K. | Molecular Biology Scientist

"Thanks to Linda's innovative concept taught in Top Notch Resume , I was able to land my dream job with my highest salary yet!"

"Thanks to Linda's innovative concept taught in Top Notch Resume, I was able to land my dream job with my highest salary yet! In a months from now, I'll be starting my new dream job in California as a Capacity Building Specialist; training organizations throughout the country. Thank you for everything! Linda's Top Notch Resume program changed my career and my life."  

  - Shavar J. | Capacity Building Specialist 

"After using Linda’s Top Notch Resume course and following her recommendations, I was able to revise my resume to showcase my transferrable skills from the finance background to a new role in law enforcement. It didn’t take too long before I was getting interviews for my desired role and an offer soon after."

“I have been working in the financial industry for almost a decade when I decided to explore opportunities in other industries. It was difficult to be considered for a position when I didn’t have any prior experience for the role. I have been applying unsuccessfully for 2 years before I decided I needed professional career advice on this matter. After using Linda’s Top Notch Resume course and following her recommendations, I was able to revise my resume to showcase my transferrable skills from the finance background to a new role in law enforcement. It didn’t take too long before I was getting interviews for my desired role and an offer soon after. I would highly recommend others to reach out to Linda for any career advice. ”  

  - Thomas C. | Law Enforcement

"After applying her Top Notch Resume approach to my job search, I was immediately contacted by several companies and I had a couple of interviews lined up with them. I utilized the LinkedIn bonus that came with the course to improve my personal LinkedIn account, and eventually the CEO of a Swiss company contacted me to offer me a management position!"

“I was one of the first people who purchased the course when it was launched back in December 2017. The course is very well structured and if you want to see some serious results, you need to follow the course exactly how it’s laid out. I updated by CV during the time I was doing my Masters program using Linda’s strategies taught in the course. After applying her approach to my job search, I was immediately contacted by several companies and I had a couple of interviews lined up with them. I utilized the LinkedIn bonus that came with the course to improve my personal LinkedIn account, and eventually the CEO of a Swiss company contacted me to offer me a management position! Even though I just finished my Masters studies, I was able to get a management level position. I highly suggest investing in Linda’s Top Notch Resume course, for all those students and people who are looking to maximize your resume potential. Linda has all the knowledge from her past recruiting experience that she shares in the course, which has helped me on a very successful career path!”  

  - Federica S. | Management Professional

"I purchased Linda's Top Notch Resume course, watched it, re-wrote my resume using Linda's strategies and applied for a position within a day. The next day, I immediately received an email saying that my resume attracted their attention and to move forward with follow up interviews. I have never received a response that quickly during the past two months that I've been searching for jobs on my own! I ended up receiving the job offer!"

“I'm a recent public health master graduate currently looking for jobs. I purchased Linda's Top Notch Resume course, watched it, re-wrote my resume using Linda's strategies and applied for a position within a day. The next day, I immediately received an email saying that my resume attracted their attention and they invited me to fill out a questionnaire and move forward with follow up interviews. I just want to say thank you to Linda and to her wonderful course! I have never received a response that quickly during the past two months that I've been searching for jobs on my own! I am happy to say I received a job offer for the data analyst position after using the Top Notch Resume course and other interview techniques. Thank you!”  

  - Cherry L. | Public Health Masters Graduate

"After signing up for her Top Notch Resume course, I received 3 phone interviews, 2 first round interviews within a month and 1 second round interview before I landed my dream job offer!"

“First, Linda is amazing at what she does! She has the credibility and experience to support her. I was coming off my maternity leave and was in the market for a new job. After applying to many jobs and not really hearing back from anyone, I decided to reach out and sign up for her Top Notch Resume building course. As soon as I opened up the course, I knew immediately that this was going to work. Linda is clear, concise and extremely effective. She provided a clear curriculum for anyone to be able to follow and will help you to really understand what employers are looking for. I received 3 phone interviews, 2 first round interviews within a month and 1 second round interview before I landed my dream job offer. I'm so happy and confident now with where I am with my career. Thanks Linda for all your help!”  

  - Amanda S. | Business Analyst 

"After enrolling in Linda’s Top Notch Resume course in December, exactly a month later I signed a job offer!"

“I found Linda at a perfect time in my life. I was so frustrated and drained to the bone of not getting the interviews for the jobs I knew I had worked so hard for and deserved. I caught her when she hosted live YouTube chats and seminars. After enrolling in Linda’s Top Notch Resume course in December, exactly a month later I signed a job offer! Linda is so kind and willing to help! I have landed my dream job in insurance; I love that this is lucrative. I have my own office at a Fortune 500 company and I can save, invest and always be financially stable. I give my most gracious recommendation for Linda’s expertise! I couldn’t have done this without her. I just wanted to encourage everybody that you can do it also. Please remember that it’s critically important to invest for your sanity and wellbeing!”  

  - Jasmine A. | Marketing Professional 

"After using Linda’s Top Notch Resume methods, I submitted my new resume to 5 companies immediately. I landed 2 interviews within a few hours, and a few weeks after, received 2 offers for employment!"

"After using Linda’s Top Notch Resume methods, I submitted my new resume to 5 companies immediately. I landed 2 interviews within a few hours, and a few weeks after, received 2 offers for employment! I also used my resume to apply for my Masters program in Public Administration, and I was accepted at my school of choice. I will be starting classes soon. Linda’s tips were very different from what I had learned through resume classes that didn’t yield results of even a phone call. She gave great advice and the course was easy to follow. Thank you Linda!"  

  - Teresa E. | Public Administration 

"I signed a full time job offer for a senior accounting role only two months after I took the Top Notch Resume course."

"About six months ago, I stopped actively looking for jobs because I wasn’t getting the number of calls or interviews that I expected. At the same time however, I knew that I needed professional assistance with my resume as I was positive that my background wasn’t the thing that was stopping me but more so how it was presented. I then came across Linda’s YouTube videos and finally decided to purchase the Top Notch Resume course. After taking the course and applying for jobs online, I was now finally getting responses. I signed a full time job offer for a senior accounting role only two months after I took the Top Notch Resume course. If you want to get faster results, make sure to follow Linda’s steps all the way in order to land your dream job."  

  - Curniff J. | Accountant 

"I sent them my Top Notch Resume and I got a call the next day. I went through three successful stages of interviews with them and I got hired!"

“After graduating last summer I slowly started looking for job with no luck. I was searching different types of resumes, but they didn't align with the entry positions I was applying for. I tried to use some templates, but it didn’t work. Then I found Linda's YouTube channel right before she announced the Top Notch Resume course. Just by watching the videos I got motivated. The course was exactly what I needed. I loved that I had to write my resume myself with Linda's guidance. After finishing my resume, I felt that it reflected the real me on paper. I actually finished my resume right when I saw the posting for a position I wanted. I sent them my Top Notch Resume and I got a call the next day. I went through three successful stages of interviews with them and I got hired! Looking at my new resume and knowing my actual value brought my confidence back. I got compliments on my writing skills during the interview. Thank you for everything you do, your videos are so motivational and inspirational!”  

  - Ludmila V. | Purchasing Coordinator 

" Top Notch Resume really helped me understand how to stand out as a job candidate. By connecting the job descriptions to the purpose of the resume sections, I was able to figure out what skill sets made me valuable to an employer."

“Top Notch Resume really helped me understand how to stand out as a job candidate. By connecting the job descriptions to the purpose of the resume sections, I was able to figure out what skill sets made me valuable to an employer. This connection that Linda taught early on in the program really helped me eventually figure out prospective employers to target and to later handle interviews better. Yes, it was still a grueling process but with practice and persistence you get to learn about the company, how you have value, and most importantly, value to the company. Of course networking is invaluable but Linda's Top Notch Resume program provides the crisp details to open your eyes to the deluge of information required in today's job hunting battlefield. Articulate and filled with heartfelt strong energy, the videos reminded me to not give up. Thanks Linda!"  

  - Carol S. | Treasury Analyst

"With determination and Linda’s advice and format taught in the Top Notch Resume course, which carried through into the interview, I was able to be in the position I’m in now. I received offers from all the jobs I applied and interviewed for."

“ It wasn’t until I enrolled in Linda’s Top Notch Resume course that I started to get responses from potential employers. I put my heart into revising my resume per Linda’s format and it naturally made me more confident in the interviews. I used my Top Notch Resume as a guide in my interviews and it was fabulous! I received offers from all the jobs I applied and interviewed for; I even applied to a supervisor position, but didn’t realize it was one until I was called to schedule an interview. I was thinking “why did they call me since I didn’t list any supervisory duties anywhere on my resume?” I found out 3 of the candidates were internal so didn’t expect to be offered the position, but to my surprise I was offered the position at the max of the salary range! I even had another offer on the table that I had to turn down and cancel the rest of the interviews I had lined up. I encourage everyone to not give up! With determination and Linda’s advice and format taught in the Top Notch Resume course, which carried through into the interview, I was able to be in the position I’m in now.”  

  - Liz R. | Accounting Professional 

"I applied for one position with my Top Notch Resume and got called for a phone interview. I start my new job in a week!"

“ When I completed the Top Notch Resume course, I created a plan around my weekends so that I could research, update and apply for new jobs. Try not to skip steps and stay positive. I applied for one position with my Top Notch Resume and got called for a phone interview. However, during the call the HR contact said that she thought I would be a great fit for another, bigger position and set up an interview with them for me. My resume for the initial interview was customer service focused but the position that they recommended me for was in customer service project management (my true background). I just had the second interview and redid my resume for the third interview to reflect the new position. I start my new job in a week!”  

  - Tabitha C. | Project Management Professional

"After applying for a position with my Top Notch Resume , within a week, the recruiter contacted me for a phone interview! I was invited to 2 interviews which both of the companies offered me the job!"

“I've relocated to a new city and had to look for jobs without much information. After actively applying for jobs online with no feedback for 2 months, I realized that something had to change! That was when I found out about Linda's Top Notch Resume course. After applying for a position with my Top Notch Resume, within a week, the recruiter contacted me for a phone interview! I was invited to 2 interviews which both of the companies offered me the job! The most challenging process while writing your resume is truly knowing who you are and what your strengths are. Linda's course guided me through that process and helped me regain my confidence! Thanks Linda for the excellent course!”  

  - Wonny H. O. | Business Systems Analyst 

"After completing the Top Notch Resume course and updating my LinkedIn page, I've had a lot of success this week even though I'm not currently looking for a position."

“After completing the Top Notch Resume course and updating my LinkedIn page, I've had a lot of success this week even though I'm not currently looking for a position. Prior to taking the course, I've only had 3rd party recruiters reaching out to me with the hope that I'd get hired on so that they can get paid. After updating my LinkedIn page to a particular skill set that I was targeting (taught in the Top Notch Resume course), I noticed a huge change in traffic on my page. Not only did the corporate recruiters take their time to review my page, they quickly looked for opportunities where I would fit into their organization. The positions that the corporate recruiters sent me were more in line with a leadership position. This is significant because I have no managerial experience. If I didn't have kids, I knew that I settled to take a position too soon. However, I no longer fear that I will not get interviews in the future for potential opportunities. Thanks Linda for all the hard work you've put into making the Top Notch Resume course, I’m finding success and I'm sure that others will too. ”  

  - Kari H. | Business Intelligence Professional 

"I bit the bullet and decided to purchase the Top Notch Resume course 3 weeks ago and let me tell you, it works! I received 3 interviews within a week and decided to accept a job offer. To top it all off, I got a job offer in an industry that I actually have very little working experience in!"

“Before I found out about Linda's course, I was stuck in a nightshift job for a year and constantly applying for random jobs with the resume I had created myself. I had been applying for jobs for months with absolutely zero callbacks from the interviewers. I bit the bullet and decided to purchase the Top Notch Resume course 3 weeks ago and let me tell you, it works! I received 3 interviews within a week and decided to accept a job offer. To top it all off, I got a job offer in an industry that I actually have very little working experience in! Thank you Linda from the depths of my heart!”  

  - Elizabeth K. | Supply Chain Analyst

"After enrolling in Linda’s Top Notch Resume course, I received multiple job offers that it was difficult to choose which one!"

“After completing my degree, I sent out hundreds of resumes for two years straight but was unsuccessful in landing interviews. I struggled to prove to my current employer that I was a better fit for an Administration position than the current Hospitality job I was in – but with no luck. After enrolling in Linda’s Top Notch Resume course, I received multiple job offers that it was difficult to choose which one! My current employer saw my LinkedIn profile, and even offered me the Administrative role that I wanted before; and my LinkedIn profile received 41 views by employers in the past 15 days. I ’m so happy! Linda taught me the right approach and networking techniques for my resume and LinkedIn profile. Millions of thanks wouldn’t be enough! ”  

  - Aashi S. | Administrative Officer

"It was only after a month and a half [with my Top Notch Resume ] that I was able to land a job. "

“After about 8 months of being unemployed, I thought it was a good idea to get individualized help and this is why I decided to reach out to Linda. The Top Notch Resume techniques helped me tailor a few different resumes for each position. This is something that I struggled with and Linda's course has helped me to overcome this struggle. It was only after a month and a half [with my Top Notch Resume] that I was able to land a job. I feel like I made out really well with this job. I get to write lab reports, I get to travel, the pay is good, my co-workers are great and the company is great. And I didn’t feel like I had to settle. And when you’re struggling to find a job, you feel like you have to settle. But I feel like with Linda's strategies and advice, because she helped me to push towards what I really wanted, I didn’t have to do that and I feel like I couldn’t have done it without her. ”  

  - Lacey L. | Corrosion Engineer 

"In just two weeks after enrolling in the Top Notch Resume course, I was able to get 3 interviews with fewer applications. And out of those 3, I landed a job!"

"I was looking for a job for over 6 months. I sent out hundreds of applications but nothing was working. I was feeling frustrated and felt bad for myself. In just two weeks after enrolling in the Top Notch Resume course, I was able to get 3 interviews with fewer applications. And out of those 3, I landed a job! Linda's course helped me write my resume in a way that I was getting interest from MORE employers with fewer job applications. The resume was still authentic to my experience, but it showed me in a more positive and attractive light. I highly recommend learning Linda's resume techniques and strategy."  

  - Tina Z. | Processing/Admin Clerk 

"After going through Linda’s Top Notch Resume course, watching her YouTube videos, and creating my Top Notch resume, I received 4 job offers! "

“After going through Linda’s Top Notch Resume course, watching her YouTube videos, and creating my Top Notch resume, I received 4 job offers! I’ll be travelling soon to the city where I’m relocating to, to meet these potential new employers and make a decision on which one to accept. You must follow all the techniques of the course, and do it on your own – you can ask for help, but know that the headhunter or employer that is interviewing you will know who prepared the resume through the interview. Good luck to everyone!”  

  - Weronika S.

"After following Linda’s Top Notch Resume course, I was able to secure interviews with several companies."

“After following Linda’s Top Notch Resume course, I was able to secure interviews with several companies. I reached out to Linda in the Top Notch Resume Facebook group for advice. I just got a call from the HR manager and they want to hire me, so next week I will have a Skype interview to go through details of the offer! I had been looking at switching companies for a few months, launching my own small business and been watching Linda’s videos which offer great value with her unique approach and always kept on going and following what I was looking for. Thanks Linda for your videos and the fantastic work you are doing to help people in their careers!”  

  - Jonathan V. | Procurement Professional 

What Is Included in Top Notch Resume?

3 PART VIDEO SERIES TO CREATE A TOP NOTCH RESUME

3 Sections, 3 Modules, and 3 step-by-step Training Videos! I walk you through the entire Top Notch Resume writing/creation process from start to finish to make sure your CV captures the POSITIVE ATTENTION of hiring managers, recruiters and HR professionals for the jobs you apply for. 

I will show you how to write your resume step-by-step, from start to finish. This includes how to match yourself to the ideal job, how to find the right keywords to include in your resume and how to make it look, sound and feel compelling to entice employers. 

Top Notch Resume will give you exactly what you want in about 2 hours: more attention from hiring managers, more callbacks for interviews and most importantly, more JOB OFFERS.  

EXCLUSIVE TOP NOTCH RESUME FACEBOOK GROUP 

I created an exclusive Top Notch Resume Facebook Group for all of the ambitious professionals in this program to support, like, and share each other's resume progress to help one another! 

PDF DOWNLOAD

I created a worksheet that will guide you along in the course so it’s easier for you to create your resume! 

BONUS SECTION

I put together not one, but TWO bonuses for you.

Bonus #1: How to Make a Good LinkedIn Profile &

Bonus #2 : How to Land More Interviews Using my Secret Job Search Strategy 

Why Corporate Leaders are Turning to Linda for Help: 

"Linda Raynier is an exceptional enabler and coach to help all levels of talent reach their next steps in their professional career journey. Linda really gets it. Even though I have been a successful CEO, COO and Board member I learned about staying on task, listening better and providing concise, relevant answers in my meetings and interviewing conversations. I joined two Board of Director roles during my discussions with Linda and I continue to check in with Linda from time to time to keep learning. Coaching sessions with Linda have enabled other C-level operator opportunities come my way, and these were ones that I’ve not enacted on. I would encourage all levels of talent and leaders to engage with Linda to become more adept at interviewing conversations, telling your story while building chemistry with new opportunities and winning in critical conversations."

Jeff L. | CEO and Board member of Public and Private Companies

Reserve Your Top Notch Resume Membership TODAY!

Want An Inside Look of What's Waiting For You?

Phase 1: the perfect job .

• The exact OUTLINE of a Top Notch Resume that attracts employers’ attention. 
• Job description clues: The strategy on how I break down job descriptions AND the KEY ways to how they relate to your resume so you can match to the job. 

PHASE 2: THE PERFECT PROFILE

• Writing the Perfect Profile: The structure and templates to use in your profile to engage a hiring manager to want to keep reading your resume and ultimately, bring you in for an interview.  

PHASE 3: COMPELLING PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE  

• Writing compelling professional experience: The exact, step-by-step approach on how to line up your experience to the position you want with formulas and fill-in-the-blank templates. 
• Impressive Achievements: The exact formula to writing achievements that will excite employers. 

BONUS #1: Create a Good LinkedIn Profile 

• Now that you have a Top Notch Resume, you’ll be able to leverage that to create a LinkedIn profile that gets you more views from recruiters/employers, which of course, leads to more interviews! 
• Step-by-step, in-depth explanations of what to include and what NOT to include in your LinkedIn profile to make it attractive! 

BONUS #2: Job Search Strategy to Land More Interviews

You can have a Top Notch Resume and awesome LinkedIn profile and still not land yourself any interviews. 

Why? Because it’s all in your JOB SEARCH STRATEGY. Applying online alone is NOT enough.  

• My EXACT set of steps on what to do, where to look and how to land yourself more interviews beyond just applying online.

Read What Other Ambitious Professionals Have to Say:

I’ve happily accepted a job offer and can’t wait to start my new role. I highly recommend following Linda’s strategies and techniques to writing a truly winning resume…it helped me go from zero responses to a full-time job offer! Without Linda’s coaching and guidance, I know for sure I would STILL be looking for a job.”

“ Immediately after creating my new resume, I received a call for a phone interview and another is in the process of being scheduled. Linda helped me to realize that I AM a valuable candidate to any potential employer. Since making these improvements, my confidence level has increased substantially. I know that it’s possible for me to land the position I want.”  

Katie L. | Finance Manager

Francis F. | Customer Support Specialist

“After a long time of debating on whether I should invest in the course, I finally decided to purchase the course. After finalizing updates to my resume and LinkedIn profile, I contacted the recruiter of the position I was interested in on LinkedIn using the techniques from the course. I received a immediate response from the recruiter and spoke with him on the phone the next day. Long story short, after a phone screen with the hiring manager and flying to an on-site interview. I received a job offer the next day! I am so happy I made the decision to invest in my career and make the change in my life that I’ve been wanting! I will be relocating in the next few weeks."

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How to write a top-notch IT resume?

Whether you are a helpdesk analyst, computer operator or a front-end web developer, in order to get the job of your dreams, you will need to impress your prospective employer with an elaborate IT resume .

As a well-organized professional and a great communicator, you will want these skills to reflect in the way you write and format your CV.

In this ultimate guide you will learn:

• How to properly format your resume
• How to write a job-winning professional summary for your IT professional CV
• What are the best IT skills to put on your resume
• How to include relevant and measurable achievements in your IT work experience section
• How to complement your IT education section with academic accomplishments
• How to use extra sections to showcase your ambitions and competencies
• Where to find the best job search resources for IT professionals

Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.

1. How to properly format your IT resume?

With so many skills and experiences to put on your CV, you may need to come to a viable solution on how to distribute individual sections without losing out on clarity, readability and navigation.

The perfect way out could be choosing a two-column layout for your IT resume. This way sections such as contact details, skills or additional segments could be on the left side, whilst your professional profile, work experience and education sections could feature in the right column.

Use a resume-friendly typeface , such as Cambria, Garamond or Calibri. Avoid stylish fonts that may distract one from the content.

White space utilization is crucial as it grants your CV breathing room and gives the hiring manager’s eyes place to rest. Distribute your resume sections wisely, employ space between individual segments, and make your headings bigger to go fully reader-friendly.

If you are a seasoned IT professional, you will certainly opt for a reverse-chronological CV that will allow you to list your most recent experiences first.

If you are, on the other hand, just breaking into the field applying for an entry-level job position, use a functional resume , and put emphasis on your skills, education and extra sections rather than work experience. Choose your preferred template and make your resume shine.

2. How to write a job-winning professional summary for your IT professional CV?

Depending on your position and a specific job posting, your professional profile will differ. 

However, there are still some common golden rules that can make your IT professional summary appealing enough to catch a recruiter’s eye:

• Use keywords from the job posting.
• Link them with relevant accomplishments. Don’t just name your duties.
• Project your exceptional IT skills through unique experiences. 
• If you are applying for an entry-level position, you may need to focus more on your objective than your qualifications for the job.

Underperforming IT professional summary example

IT Technician providing technical support to clients and maintaining hardware and software. Performed great work. Worked on the constant improvement of customer service.

Corrected IT professional summary example

Enthusiastic and performance-driven IT Technician with 4+ years of experience providing professional technical support to clients and maintaining hardware and software. Outstanding communicator and active listener offering technological expertise and strong determination to deliver my work to the highest standard. Worked on the constant improvement of customer service and satisfaction — increased from 84% to 95% within one year.

Find out your resume score!

3. What are the best IT skills to put on your CV?

Your skill-set will always depend on a specific job position you are applying for. You may possess an array of competencies that would blow any hiring manager away, but if they do not fit the job, they won’t hit the jackpot for you.

Tailor your soft and hard skills based on the requirements in the job ad. Make sure you mention these skills at the top of the list, and include any other relevant abilities related to the role.

The most effective soft skills for your IT resume

• Problem-solving
• Organization
• Analytical skills
• Outstanding communication
• Negotiation
• Flexibility
• Prioritizing
• Stress resilience
• Time management skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Perseverance

The best IT hard skills for your CV

• Project management
• Programming languages
• Cybersecurity
• Cloud computing
• Data analytics
• Software development
• AI and machine learning
• Microsoft Office
• Freshdesk, ServiceGuru
• LiveAgent, Zendesk

4. How to include relevant and measurable achievements in your IT work experience section?

When it comes to describing your past roles , using large chunks of text and naming all your duties may be a good way to give the hiring manager an eye roll.

Use bulleted lists instead, and mention only the most significant and relevant accomplishments of yours. 

Remember to quantify your achievements whenever you can. Have you mentored a team of professionals? Mention how many. Have you incremented client satisfaction? Let the recruiter know about the percentage increase.  

Effective IT work experience resume section example

Bravestorm Studios, Austin, Texas IT Technician 2017 – 2021

• Provided professional technical support to clients.
• Mentored a team of 14 IT professionals on the company's software programs and applications.
• Identified and investigated network issues, maintained and upgraded hardware and software, and assisted in the server installation.
• Worked on the constant improvement of customer service and satisfaction with provided services — increased from 84% to 95% within two years.
• Completed system backups, configured desktops, laptops, and printers, promoted new products and services. 
• Recognized by executives for performing exceptional work.

5. How to complement your IT education section with academic accomplishments?

Having a required degree in the field and including it in your resume is great. Complementing it with your best academic accomplishments is even better.

Don’t take any chances, and spruce up your education section mentioning your academic attainments, areas of interest or relevant coursework.

Listing education in an IT resume

Massachusetts Institute of Technology,United States BA in Computer Science 2008-2011

• Among top 5% of the programme
• The 2010 Academic Excellence Award winner
• Areas of interest: Engineering and Design, Programming
• Member of Physics Society

6. How to use extra sections to showcase your ambitions and competencies?

Your education and work experience may not be the only factors that have made you a brilliant IT professional.

Your interests, passions and various learning opportunities may have led you to challenge yourself and acquire new skills that will serve you in your future role.

Let the hiring manager know about them. This may be exactly what will help you make headway in your IT career trajectory.

Pick the sections that fit best your profile as an IT professional:

Certifications

• Computer science projects
• Accomplishments
• Language Skills
• Volunteering activities
• Conferences 

You can list your extra sections something like this

• Google IT Support Professional Certificate, February 2020
• CompTIA A+ Technician, March 2021

7. Valuable job search resources for IT professionals

In the tech-driven world of information technology (IT), an array of job search resources cater specifically to IT professionals. These tools not only save you time but also guide you to opportunities that align perfectly with your skills:

• Niche job boards: Websites like Dice or IT Jobs Pro specifically cater to the IT industry. From junior roles to senior IT management positions, these job boards list opportunities aplenty.
• Tech-specific networking: Consider platforms like GitHub and StackOverflow . These allow you not just to showcase your projects but also to engage with a community of like-minded professionals.
• General job platforms: Big-name job platforms like LinkedIn , Indeed , or Glassdoor often host a vast number of IT job postings. Using their advanced search filters can improve your chances of finding the perfect fit.
• IT Certifications and online courses: Platforms like Coursera or Udemy offer certification courses like CompTIA A+ or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) . Such certifications can be a powerful addition to your resume.
• IT blogging communities: Sites like TechCrunch or WorldIT often feature articles about job openings, application tips, and interviews with IT professionals.
• IT recruiters and staffing agencies: Firms like Robert Half Technology specialize in IT recruitment, making the application process less stressful by guiding you to suitable roles. 

With these resources at your fingertips, it's time to grab your tech career with both hands and shape it the way you dream.

What technical skills should I highlight in my IT resume?

Focus on the skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. These can include programming languages, software and hardware knowledge, network configuration, system diagnostics, database management, and cybersecurity skills.

How can I make my IT resume stand out if I'm a recent graduate with limited experience?

Make the most of your academic and internship experiences, highlighting any significant projects or accomplishments. Include any relevant certifications and strengths in desired languages or platforms.

Should I list all the software and programming languages I'm familiar with?

Avoid the temptation to list everything. Stick to those that are relevant to the job description or those that are generally in high demand in the IT industry.

How can I portray my soft skills in an IT resume?

Weave your soft skills into your achievements and roles. For example, you might demonstrate problem-solving abilities by describing a complex challenge you overcame or teamwork by highlighting a successful group project.

Does my IT resume need an objective statement?

While not always a must-have, a well-written professional summary or objective can immediately communicate your skills and career goals to potential employers. Ensure it's concise, engaging, and targeted to the job you're applying for.

Julia Gergelova

Julia is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW™) and an active member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches (PARWCC™). She is also a passionate translator and graphic designer. Julia holds degrees in translation and interpretation and has international work experience in various countries across Europe, as well as in China and Panama. Julia formerly taught academic writing and contributed as a graphic designer to outlets such as The Business of Business. You'll often find her with a book in one hand and a specialty coffee in the other, always on the lookout for new insights.

Hungry for more?

How to write a professional resume summary [+examples], how to put your education on a resume [+examples], how to describe your work experience on a resume [+examples], let your resume do the work..

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Crafting Your Resume with these Top-Notch Tips

September 27, 2017

The Branchers

Workplace , #werkbranch

You may or may not have heard the claim that the average time recruitment managers spend analyzing resumes is only about 5 to 7 seconds . Whether this is based in truth or not, the takeaway is that you have mere seconds to tell the story of YOU on a somewhat short piece of paper. And that story is the only chance you have to win over the employer. If you’re feeling discouraged and overwhelmed, you aren’t alone. While challenging, writing a top notch resume is totally in your wheelhouse.

Prove Your Worth

When writing a resume, it’s common sense to include skills, education and experience. Everyone has this on their resume, so don’t make the mistake of being unoriginal and just list out all of those skills and accomplishments. Prove to the employer you worked hard to acquire those achievements by giving them a backstory.

By no means does this need to be long. You don’t have the space and you don’t want to brag. Instead, use verbs like managed , generated , instituted , etc. These will paint a picture around you achievements with brevity. You are the storyteller of your own life, you just have to learn how to captivate your specific audience. Sending out a generic resume to 30 different jobs is not going to get you 30 interviews. You’ll be lucky to even get one and in the business world, it’s not about luck. It’s about taking charge of your career and getting the interview .

Need help thinking of verbs for your resume? Here’s a list!

Interview Tip: Use your resume points to steer your interview conversations. For each accomplishment or task, be prepared to provide more color around the setting, conflict and/or resolution. Give examples of different situations you have come across while in the workforce or in life that you needed to solve or completely turn around with a strategic plan and execution and what the results were. This will show your employer that you have the actual skill to handle similar situations in their company.

Basics Can Align To Requirements

Yes, in general, your resume will have the same information, no matter the job. However, no one resume should be sent over and over again. While you might get a few responses, most employers are assessing applicants by their ability to understand the role and meet its needs. Every position has basics requirements. Use the job ad or description to steer the tone and content of your resume. Make sure all the information you give can be supported by real world examples. Your cover letter is a great place to explain your connection to the role, but be sure it’s made clear through your resume points and structure.

Tip: Mirror the job description in your resume as much as possible. If the employer is using an ATS, many of the words in the job description will likely be used to screen out resumes. Make sure yours makes the cut by adding in keywords and titles.

Related: 5 Follow Up Email Examples

Keep it Organized

You might have amazing accomplishments, but learning how to format them in a desirable and compelling way is key to actually landing a call back. Grammar and consistent structure is one way to achieve this. If you use bullet points, make sure they match each other in tone and punctuation. Be sure your current jobs are spoken about in present tense and past positions are in past tense. Hiring teams do not have time to see past those errors. If you don’t hit the mark, there’s a good chance they’ll immediately move on to other resumes.

Read this post for additional resume advice .

Additionally, recruiters and hiring managers don’t have time to search for information. Organize your jobs in a way that best suits you. In most cases, that means listing your name and contact information at the very top. Place your education and credentials close behind. Your relevant work history should be just that. Include jobs that actually pertain to your industry and experience within similar roles. Most professional resumes list jobs in chronological order with the most recent job at the top. Do remember that resumes change across industries and positions. If you’re in a creative field, don’t let it be boring.

Tips to keep in mind

• Know your audience: Know who you are writing to, grasp each company’s personality and values. If possible, pen your cover letter to the CEO or hiring manager directly. Typically with larger companies, it will be the HR department but if it’s a company of 20 or less, you might be writing to the head of the department or even the CEO.
• Prove your worth: Have credentials you can back up and support while creating a picture for your employer. Show them that you have experience in areas with actual stories. It might have them seeing the role in a new light (and hopefully with you in it).
• Have the basics: All great storytellers have the key elements in their stories (plot, characters, conflict, and resolution).  Most of us have experienced something in our careers that have the basis of these. You just have to write it out now, take a second to think back and see where you shined.
• Amazing intro and even better ending: Nobody likes a dull and dragging beginning. Make sure your intro summary is just as compelling as the middle of your resume to the final word at the end. You want to be able to give your resume the most appealing face.
• Research. Research. Research: Learning more about the company and what your specific job that you’re applying for will help you write a better resume by using that research and knowledge to craft up the perfect content to reach your audience.

Creating an amazing resume takes time but is worth it if you want to see results. Putting together your first impression and giving a sense of who you are through stories, organization, knowledge of the company and being able to prove your skills and talents in that way, is putting you one step closer to getting that dream job. You have the tools, now go start applying for your dream jobs. Good luck!

We build the best damn marketing campaigns on the planet. And we do it for industries and companies you might not identify as easy to market (right away). Working here takes a very special kind of person.

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Creating a top-notch Resume as a Fresher

Shricareer Tue, 07/05/2022 - 14:28

Creating your first resume means the commencement of your professional career. And hence you will need to create a resume that will showcase your worth and abilities, impress the hiring team, and convince them that you can be an ideal employee in their company.

A lot of employers value the work experience section in resumes. But since you are fresher, you will have to create a resume without work experience which can be daunting. You might get confused about which section to prioritize the most that will impress the recruiters and you’ll be selected for the next round.

Well, worry not. We have got you covered. Through this blog, we’ll guide you on how to create the best quality resume which will focus on the skills that will help you develop your professional career, share your greatest strengths and highlight your education.

Formatting your Resume.

The layout of the resume is called the resume format. There are three types of resume formats;

• Reverse-Chronological Resume
• Functional Resume
• Chronological Resume  

Out of these three types, the reverse-chronological format is ideal for those who have less or no experience at all. Recruiters mostly prefer this format and it is also the most popular among the applicants.

The layout of your reverse-chronological resume will be

• Header: Name, Contact Information, and Resume Statement
• Qualifications
• Miscellaneous (Projects, internships, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, etc.)
• Resume Header

Start With Your Resume Header with your name, contact information, your social media accounts link, and your resume statement (objective). Just after your name, add your personal and contact information to the header. Mention the following things in your contact information;

• First and Last Name
• Phone Number
• E-mail Address (use an email that sounds professional)
• Social Media Accounts (e.g., LinkedIn)
• Resume Objective

Note: Make sure that all your contact information is properly working. It would be the worst if you are selected and the recruiter can’t contact you.

Create a compelling objective within 3-4 sentences or less. After all the recruiters will view your resume for a few seconds. So, this is the chance to impress the recruiters in this section.

Include the following things in your resume objective:

• your field of study
• your skills and experiences
• your motive for applying for this position and/or this company

Since you have no experience so you’ll have to emphasize your education section. In this way, you’ll attract the recruiter’s attention to your education which is one of the important aspects of your resume. Mention all the qualifications that you have.

Include the following things in your resume:

• Name of the degree
• Name of the institution
• Years attended
• Location of the institution (optional)
• GPA (optional)
• Honors (optional)
• Relevant coursework (optional)
• Exchange programs (optional)

Note: If you have attended a reputed university, then just add the name of the institution before the degree, so as to catch the attention of the recruiter.

• Miscellaneous

This is the best section to replace your work experience section with. After you’ve listed your education, now you should fill the void of the work experience in your resume. If you are still worried about your lack of experience mention it in your resume section, then worry not. Here are a few things that you can mention instead;

• Internships

If you have done any internships that are relevant to the job position you are applying for, then mention it.

Tips on how to mention your internships in your resume:

• Mention the internship section right after the education section, titling it: Internships
• Write your internship title and job role. E.g.; if you did your internship in marketing, then mention “Marketing Intern”.
• Write all the company information like name, location, and duration of the internship.
• Mention all the responsibilities that you had as an intern in bullets.
• Extracurricular activities

If you still feel like there are a lot of empty spaces then add your extracurricular activities to your resume. Irrespective of whether they are related to your job role or not, just show your recruiters that you’re hard-working and motivated.

Eg. If you won a basketball championship during your high school then mention it.

How to list extracurricular activities on your resume:

• Title the section as- Extracurricular Activities
• Mention the name and your role in the organization/or team.
• Volunteering Experience

Your volunteering experience shows your dedication and passion to apply for the job role. And recruiters love dedicated people. You can mention all the volunteering tasks you’ve done. For example; distributing food during a pandemic, helping street dogs, collecting trash from the sea, etc., you can mention it all.

Listing your volunteering experiences

• Title that section as- Volunteering experience
• Mention the name and location of the organization that you were working for.
• Write the duration of the volunteering work.
• Note all the tasks and achievements during the volunteering work (in bullet points)

Here you can mention any relevant projects you were part of during your time in school/college or during an internship. For example- your capstone project, graduation thesis, research project, or any project that you have worked on during your school time, you can mention it all.

How to include projects in your resume;

• Title of the section as- Projects
• Mention your project name and then your project type.
• Write the name of the organization for whom you have done the project.
• Duration of the project.
• Your roles, responsibilities, and achievements in the project.

You will need to include your skills section because you have no work experience resume and this will be the easiest way of communicating your capabilities. There are two types of skills that you can mention on your resume:

• Soft skills
• Hard skills

Difference between soft skills and hard skills.

Soft skills are the skills that describe how you work, not exactly related to a job but will show how well you will adapt to the workplace. Example- responsibility, leadership, teamwork, creativity, etc.  On the other hand, hard skills refer to the technical knowledge, specific tools, training, and other work-specific skill that you are a master at. Example- Technical writing, C++, financial accounting, etc.

As a fresher, you should more focus on hard skills more than soft skills. You should include the skills that are relevant to the job position and as mentioned in the job description.  

For example;

If you’ve applied for an entry-level creative internship and the job description required the following things;

• Photo editing experience (Photoshop)
• Video editing experience (Premiere, After Effects)
• UI design experience
• Photography experience
• Knowledge of Adobe Illustrator

In that case, you will need to mention skills like

• Photoshop - Expert
• UI Design - Intermediate
• Premiere & After Effects - Expert
• Adobe Illustrator - Intermediate
• Photography - Intermediate

These sections were the most important sections that will grab the attention of hiring managers. Apart from that if you’ve still some space left in your resume, then you might consider including some other things that describe how capable you are.

Hobbies and Interests . To showcase your sincere enthusiasm and interest in your resume, you can add flair to your resume.

Languages. Do you speak more than two-three languages? Then that will be awesome. Since most businesses, today are rather global and hence they value an extra language skill or two.

Awards & Certifications. Do you possess any paper/document that communicates how smart you’re or showcases your awards or certification? If there is a certification then you must definitely include it.

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How to Build a Resume to Get Calls from Top-Notch Companies

Getting a good job in a related field of their study and in an MNC is a dream of every job aspirant. Being skilled and good knowledge in your area of study is not adequate enough to land you in a good position in a MNC but rather coupled with skill and knowledge, you should also be able to present a good resume to get noticed by top-notch MNCs.

Understanding the Importance of A Resume

A resume is a most convenient and flexible way to present essential information and personal qualities in the best possible manner. It is a well drafted document in which you showcase your skills, qualifications, abilities and experience (if any) to your prospective employers. One thing to be remembered is the fact that your resume doesn’t get you a job in the first place but it will fetch you an interview call from the prospective employer, and if you fare well and are able to impress the employer, you will successfully land in your dream job.

The employers initially will give a quick scan at your resume and shortlist you for the interview, hence ensure that your resume is clear, easy to read, logically laid out and contains relevant information only, else there is a risk of the employer ignoring your resume and moving onto the next.

Important Aspects Of A Good Resume

Heading:   Type your name at the top in caps with large, bold type. Include your address, phone number, and email address.

Objective: Clearly mention your job objective before writing the rest of the resume and tailor the resume to the job and the field.

Experience : Include experiences (if any) with a short description of the project, your roles and responsibilities, the duration of work and company name (if you intend)

Educational Qualifications : Clearly state your highest educational qualification, from which university and your qualification year.

Other courses and certifications : Include briefly other course and certification listings such as computer knowledge, technical skills, etc., to add weight-age to your resume.

Key strengths & skills : Clearly highlight your key strengths and skills required relevant to the designated position. Place all the relevant points at first, where they are most likely to be noticed instantly.

Achievements: Mention about any awards or recognitions that you have received for your work as this will give a good impression about you to your future employers.

Personal profile : This section should be brief and clear

References: Provide names and contact details of people who could vouch and refer you for the job.

What Makes A Good Resume?

o   The resume should be targeted to the job you are applying.

o   It should be clearly & logically laid out.

o   It should be concise and informative.

o   The main selling points of your resume should be clear and quick to scan, hence use bullet points with short sentences.

o   Use action words such as managed, developed, monitored etc, in your resume because these days , some companies use computers to electronically scan the resumes to pick out those resumes that meet certain criteria/keywords, related to the job position. Therefore including the action words will make your resume stand out from many.

o   Use # and % symbols in your body section of the resume, because these tend to make your resume stand out. (E.g. Increased student’s enrollment by 15% )

o   Organize the headings so that the most important points appear prominent.

o   Include appropriate open spaces, wide margins, and bullets to set off text.

o   Avoid spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors.

Latest Resume Trends:

Get Digitalize your CV:  As the world has become online dependent, internet has become the prime choice to find information about basic things to finding profiles of job aspirants to fill a job position. Therefore to get noticed by recruiters instantly and easily, it is vital that you have your digital resume.

The digital resume which is the current and reigning trend is nothing but aesthetically drafting your resume and making it available online.

Impressive Video Resume building: A video resume is a short video created by job aspirants to get employed. It describes the individual’s skills and qualifications and is typically replaces the traditional resume in today’s highly competitive job market. It’s important to keep in mind that a video resume isn’t going to get you a job. However, if can assist you in marketing yourself to prospective recruiters.

Importance of video resumes

• Unique  – Video resumes garners attention of the recruiters instantly because of its unique approach. Your objective of getting identified by recruiters gets fulfilled with this approach. It is the latest trend followed by many job aspirants to get noticed.
• Visible  – Your personality, character, skills, talents are clearly evident in this approach. Video resumes will feature you and also a compilation of all your previous works. Since visibility is the core point in this approach, it is vital that you present yourself confidently yet poised and showcase the best compilation of your previous works especially creative projects.
• Provides greater insight of you : The whole point of a video resume is to offer a potential employer greater insight into you. These help the employer get a sense of not just what you have achieved, but what you are capable of achieving in the future.

Useful tips to build your video resumes

>   Make a high quality looking video resume. >  Keep it short and also include the video testimonials of past employers, >  Look directly in the camera for that eye to eye contact not look below or sideways. >  Speak at a normal pace and keep your speech clear, audible and easy to understand. >  Stick to the basic rules of keeping to the point so enumerate your educational qualifications, past job experience and any special skills. >  Dress up for a real interview and shoot the video against a neutral color so that the potential employer can concentrate on you and not the background. >  Enumerate as to why you should be considered for the post or why you would be the right candidate and what you can contribute to the company. >  At the end, thank the prospective recruiter for watching the video. Click Here for more tips

Click Example-1

Click Example-2

Other ways to build digital CV: If you are not confident of creating your own digital resumes, you have an option of using online resume builders, which are not only affordable but also easy to use and it will make your resume exceptionally presentable over the internet.  The online resume builders design your resume by outputting it to a variety of templates and enable you to choose the one you like best. You can also download a copy of your resume and host a copy of it on your own private resume web page and give companies a link to it to garner attention of your recruiters. Below are few online resume building tools.

Find more online Tools

Website Resume: if you already have a website of your own, just upload your resume on to your own website and also provide the link to the prospect recruiters, to make yourself noticed.

See the below example.

Example-1 ,  Example-2

A professional LinkedIn Profile:  A LinkedIn profile is the easiest and one of the best ways to make your resume online because LinkedIn is well-respected within the business community, and it allows you to get connected with your past and current acquaintances.

Few points to follow while creating your own digital resume:

o   Use San-Serif fonts such as Arial, Calibri or Helvetica with a single font size of either 11 or 12 and avoid styles and effects.

o   Ensure that you keep the layout simple and consistent all through the document. The entire resume must be left aligned and the margin should be set to 2.0.

o   Bullet points are effective for calling attention to your achievements and skills, but use dashes rather than symbols.

o   Include appropriate keywords that define your objectives, skills, experience and the position you seek. Recruiters use these keywords to search for the right candidates whose qualification matches their requirements.

o   If you are posting your digital resume on your personal website or social networking profile, you may include a professional head shot or hyperlinks to an online portfolio. If you are uploading or copying and pasting a plain text resume to an employer’s website or job search page, avoid graphics or other extras, as they may not convert properly.

Social Media Profile’s impact on interview calls:

Besides drafting a good resume, it is quintessential these days to build a good social media profile, to increase visibility from the corporate recruiters. Most employers have shifted their focus using social media networks (such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram), to select appropriate candidates for the available posts. Therefore, make sure that your social media profiles are updated from time to time because it is through social media, you will be able to establish your professional identity and this identity will help you to get noticed by the professional community.

Importance of cover letter in Major Job portals:

A good cover letter holds equal importance as a convincing resume. Your cover letter should not be as a repetitive of your resume, rather it should be short and precise.

Find Examples  here

Below listed are few tips to draft an effective cover letter while applying for a particular position:

o   Before you start writing a cover, gain ample information about the company to which you are applying for a job. Tailor the letter in such a way that it reflects the company’s profile. This will demonstrate that you have a real interest in the role and the company itself.

o   Make sure that you address the cover letter to the person who is handling the job. If you are aware of the person then address using Dear (name) and if you don’t know the person just ‘Dear Sir/Madam’ will do.

o   The opening paragraph should be short and very specific in addressing the organization’s needs outlined in the job description and show them how you can address their specific needs.

o   It is also useful to include where you found the ad or, the name of the person who has referred about the opening.

o   Use the word ‘I’ sparingly in your cover letter because the focus should be on the organization’s needs.

o   Briefly describe your professional and academic qualifications that are relevant to the role and ensure you refer to each of the skills listed in the job description.

o   Reiterate your interest in the job opening and why makes you the right fit for the role.

Conclusion:

A resume is the most popular job hunting tool and can be customized, to approach both the job as well as the company that is offering the job. Although there are no specific strategies or core standards to draft a good resume, but the above mentioned tips will definitely help you attract your recruiter’s attention and pave way for a fruitful conversation as well as enabling you to get a job.

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