Resume Tips

I have received a few requests from my readers to provide some resume tips. So in this article, I am going to share some pointers to keep in mind while drafting a resume.

One-Page Resume

Unless you have a long list of experiences and achievements relevant to the role you are applying for, it is always better to have a one-page resume. Recruiters do not read your resume. They just scan through it for merely 15 - 30 seconds.

Avoid Irrelevant Details

Sections such as ‘Career Objectives’, ‘Interests’, ‘Hobbies’ do not add significant value to your resume and just take up space. It is better to exclude these sections.

Bulleted List

As mentioned previously, recruiters scan through your resume for merely 15 - 30 seconds. They usually look for some key points. It is better to use a bulleted list instead of paragraphs so that they are able to grab the necessary information easily.

Quantify

Wherever appropriate, mention the number. If you won a competition, out of how many contestants? If you contributed to a cause, how many people are the beneficiaries?

Key Achievements

If you have 3 - 5 similar achievements, try to put only the one best among them. Listing all of your achievements does not necessarily make your resume look impressive. It is always better to mention just the top few achievements.

Tailor to a Specific Job Description

Your chances of getting shortlisted increase provided that your overall profile fits into what the recruiter is looking for. So, try to draft your resume based on the responsibilities and skills mentioned in the job post highlighting relevant keywords.

Use a Resume Template

If you have little to no experience designing templates, it is better to use a resume template. Here is an example website to help you with that.

Projects

Try to pick only your top few projects to include in your resume. There is no need to list all your projects.

CGPA

Mention your CGPA only if it is greater than 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0). It is absolutely okay if you want to leave your CGPA off your resume.