Ed Baker asked:

Writing a resume can be a daunting task. It's such a vital part of your toolkit in moving you up to the next level in your career. Here are five essential resume writing tips.

Resume Tip 1

Your resume and cover letter are the first items that will reach an employer's desk. Therefore, you want them to best reflect you as an applicant and you want them to best reflect you as an applicant. It's not just the words on the page, its the presentation of those words too. Always print your resume on good quality paper with an easy to read font of at least size 10 and preferably size 12. Always use blank ink, even for headings. Spelling or grammatical errors show a future employer that you are willing to send in sloppy work so keep it neat.

Resume Tip 2

Include all your accomplishments no matter how small. Include the details of the relevant jobs you have done in the past. You should present your work experience in a chronologically descending order i.e. the last company first. This should include the name of the company, your designation and tenure followed by your job responsibilities and achievements.

Resume Tip 3

Employers want to know what you can do for them in language that they will understand and appreciate. This is what the concept of transferability of skills is all about. Employers often receive more than 100 resumes each day; they skim each of these in 7 to 15 seconds. If they see unrelated job titles or skills the likelihood is very high that they will make an immediate assumption that you are not qualified for the job you want.

Resume Tip 4

Remember to see your resume as a marketing tool. Your resume is your personal testament that you are the right person for the job. Remember that your resume is your way of selling yourself to your potential employer. Thus, your resume should have enough substance about your educational attainment, your work skills, any work experience, and what you hope to achieve in this job you are applying for to impress your employer that you are THE candidate for the job.

Resume Tip 5

Accomplishments are probably the most important things you can list on a resume. This is true regardless of how old you are or how much experience you have. Accomplishments are a critical aspect of your resume. Your accomplishments distinguish you from your competitors in the job-search process.

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