Steps to Write a Résumé

Steps to Write a Résumé

Steps to Write a Résumé

It is vital to note that creating your Resumé is the initial first step to getting a job. However, some people are lost on what resumés are and what they need to create the perfect Resumé.

There is no better way to begin your career on the right foot without first creating your Resumé. We will be providing you with the steps needed to write one.

How To Write A Résumé

Before we delve into the steps you need to write your Resumé, we must, first of all, have a definite understanding of what a Resumé entails. For those unaware, the Resumé is a one-page summary of both your work and school experiences.

Prospective employers usually match your Résumé against their job openings in a bid to evaluate if you will be the perfect person for the job. For this reason, it is vital to define the Resumé as a good representation of one’s self.

When you want to write a Resumé, the steps needed include:

1. Decide on the type of Resumé you want

One thing to bear in mind is that there are three types of Résumés and they are:

• Chronological

This Resumé is the most traditionally used format as it lists your experiences per the order in which they all occurred. This type of Resumé appeals to older readers and will best suit a Conservative field

• Functional

This is a type of Resumé that lists your experiences per your skill. This format is mostly used by those who want to change their career direction and lack direct work experience.

The functional Resumé showcases your skills first, then your work experience or lack of one.

• Combination

This type combines the best areas of the functional and chronological styles. However, you will need to be cautious of this particular format’s length as it can get long quickly.

In the end, you will need to consider any of these formats if you are applying for diverse jobs.

2. Create your header

After deciding on the type of Resumé to go with, you will need to make a header. Note that your header will include your:

• Name
• Email address, and;
• Phone number

While you can include your email address, you can also leave it out if you will be posting your Resumé on the Internet. Also, you are to make use of a phone number that you will always pick up.

Lest we forget, your email address must be professional. If you have any weird email address like hotcandy@mail.com, you are to change it to your name.

3. Write out your summary

You will be writing out your summary in one or two sentences. Here, you will be summarizing your work experience as well as your relevant skills. It should be kept strong and very simple.

The summary is needed as it explains why you are applying for that specific job role. Note that this job role is different from your normal career path. However, you may not include the summary of your experience can speak for itself, and it is relevant to the job role you are applying for.

4. List out your experience or your skills

If you are using the chronological or combination resumé format, you will list your relevant work experiences. You will need to begin with your most recent or current job experience before listing out the previous ones.

This section aims to display where you have worked and when you worked. It will state the specific accomplishments for each of the positions you once acquired. Understand that the content you put up here can make your Resumé be more than one page.

For this reason, you will need to be selective about what you will include. You are to select the experience that is relevant to the job role you seek. You can think of your full-time work, part-time work, internships, and any special project or fieldwork you did.

Most employers admire those who have worked seriously hard in several positions. Even if gaps in your work experience timeliness, you are to keep it all in chronological order.

More so, if you are making use of the functional or combination resume format, you are to list out your skills. The skills section of the Resumé is where you display your individuality and strengths.

You can begin by stating each of your skills. Then, you are to support it with a two or three-liner explanation of how you learned the skill or why you believe that you still have the skill.

These entries are to be straight to the point and short. The skills you are to list are those that are important to the job role you seek. As you write them out, think about what the employers seek regarding what you have done and who you are.

It would be best if you also listed computer programs that you have experience with as proficiency is an added value.

5. List your activities

Here, you are to list activities that you have participated in and include your specific role. In this section, you will outline those leadership or membership positions in clubs, organizations, and so on.

For those who may have had interesting jobs that are not related to the field you are pursuing, you can mention them in this section. If you never knew, employers seek people who have diverse backgrounds.

 

Read Also: Recruitment Methods in Nigeria

 

6. List your education

You are to list all the schools you attended, and you are, to begin with, the most recent school. You can also include some personal details like your special awards, class rank, and even GPA.

If you have any other educational experiences like training programs or seminars, you can add them here.

7. List your awards and when you won them

If someone has recognized you, you are to let your prospective employer know about it all. However, if you have no awards, you do not need to worry as you can skip this section.

8. List your interests

Here, you are to let your prospective employer know that you are a well-rounded person who people should get to know and work with. Most employers make use of this section at interviews to break the ice.

Nonetheless, do not list out casual interests like watching reality television or sleeping. You are to highlight your hobbies here. These hobbies are the type that has helped you grow as a person.

However, this section is optional. If your Resume is already looking g long or you cannot come up with anything, let it be.

Conclusion

Now that you have been giving steps on how you can write your Resumé, you must bear in mind that there are diverse ways to submit your Resumé to your prospective employer.

You are to ensure that you follow all we have outlined thoroughly, and you are to outline your work experiences clearly. Also, note that most of these employers will prefer to receive your receive in a PDF, Portable Document Format.

When you are done writing your Resumé, search for the Save as PDF button or Print to PDF option in the word processor. Ensure that you review your file carefully.

On an important note, employers tend to search the Resumé banks for special keywords. If you include keywords in your summary, skills, and experience sections, it will heighten your chances of being marked as a prospective match.

These keywords are mostly nouns that are industry-specific terms, skills, or qualifications. They range from certifications, job titles, product names, professional organization, and even company names.