Build Resume That Gets You Hired

Your resume is the first interface you have with your employer. Make the most of this opportunity. Here are some tips to convert your resume into a catching one:

• Make your resume easy on the eye.
• Make sure your name, address, and a phone number appear on your resume and all correspondence, preferably at the top of the page.
• Don't overcrowd your resume, allow for some space between the different sections
• Keep your resume brief, i.e., one or maximum two pages.
• Use minimum number of fonts - two at the most.
• Use a font that is easy to read. Preferred fonts: Arial, Times Roman & Verdana
• Do not overuse capitalization, italics, underlines, or other emphasizing features.
• Print your resume on white or cream paper using a good-quality printer.
• Second- and third-generation photocopies must be avoided
• Print on one side of the paper only.

Avoid Mistakes

Nothing can ruin your chances of getting a job faster than submitting a resume filled with preventable mistakes. Also,

“Correct grammar and spelling - evidence of good communication skills and attention to detail.”



Spelling mistakes

• Don't use words with which you aren't familiar.
• Use a dictionary as you write.
• Perform a spell check on your finished resume.
• Carefully read every word in your resume.
• Have a friend to double-check your resume.

Punctuation Mistakes

• Periods at the end of all full sentences.
• Be consistent in your use of punctuation.
• Always put periods and commas within quotation marks.
• Avoid using exclamation points.

Grammatical Hang-ups

• Do not switch tenses within your resume.
• The duties you currently perform should be in present tense (i.e., write reports)
• Duties you may have performed at past jobs should be in past tense (i.e., wrote reports).
• Capitalize all proper nouns.
• When expressing numbers, write out all numbers between one and nine (i.e., one, five, seven), but use numerals for all numbers 10 and above (i.e., 10, 25, 108).
• If you begin a sentence with a numeral, spell out that numeral (e.g. Eleven service awards won while employed.).
• Make sure your date formats are consistent (i.e.11/22/01 or Nov. 22, 2001, or 11.22.01. Choose one and stick with it.).
• Choose Your Words Carefully:
• Phrase yourself well:
• Be on the lookout for the following easily confused words:

accept (to receive), except (to exclude)
all right (correct), alright (this is not a word)
affect (to bring about change), effect (result)
personal (private), personnel (staff members)
role (a character assigned or a function), roll (to revolve).

• Use action words (i.e., wrote reports, increased revenues, directed staff).

Make the most of your experience

• Employers need to know what you have accomplished to have an idea of what you can do for them. Don't be vague.
• Telling someone that you "Improved the company's efficiency" doesn't say much.
• But if you say that you "Cut overhead costs by 20 per cent and saved the company Rs 20 million during the last fiscal year", you are more specific.

Honesty is a good policy

• Employers will feel more comfortable hiring you if they can verify your accomplishments.
• There is a difference between making the most of your experience and exaggerating or falsifying it.
• A falsified resume can cost you the job later.

References

In most instances it is not necessary to include names and address of references on the resume. If you include a reference, make it sure that the referenced person knows very well about you. It is also advisable to add the persons as references, whom the employer can contact easily. If possible add the phone number and e-mail ID of the reference. Never add a person as a reference, about whom you know nothing.