A Winning Résumé

Remember, it is a competitive market, your résumé is usually the first point of contact between you and a prospective employer... it is a sales tool. Here are some pointers to help create the winning résumé.

Length

It is unlikely that you will need more than 3 or 4 pages to effectively sell your skills, education and experience. Any longer and the employer may lose interest! Keep the résumé to the point, sharp and succinct.

Content

Use bullet points rather than lengthy paragraphs. Use action-orientated words and phrases.

Presentation

The résumé is a professional document and should therefore reflect this. It should be professionally printed and easily readable. Unless you are applying for a 'creative/arty' position, there is no need to spend a fortune on colours, fancy binders etc. It is the content that the employer is looking at.

Cover Letter

Tailor the cover letter to suit the role you are applying for, highlighting why they need to consider your application. Once again, short (1 page would usually suffice), precise and to the point.

Résumé Front Page

Subsequent Pages

Personal Details:

Name
Date of Birth
Marital Status
Nationality
Address
Phone Details
Email Address

Education:

Name of High School and Qualifications gained, date
Name of University and Qualifications gained, date
Currently studying details (with anticipated completion date)
Professional Qualifications: If relevant add these here
Language skills
Information Technology Skills
Leisure interests (may strike a note of familiarity with the interviewer)

Career History (most recent position first):

Date started to date finished
Company name, Location
Company Description:
- Size of company
- Is it national/international
- Privately/publicly owned
- What the company does...
Your title, reporting to...

Responsibilities:

List 6-10 of your main responsibilities

Achievements:

List 2-3 of your main achievements for each role

Reason for Leaving:

This helps to determine why you have changed roles