Most studies suggest that hiring managers will spend 6-7 seconds looking at a resume before making an initial decision about the candidate. Resumes need to be tailored to clearly highlight the relevant skills and experience for that particular job within the first few seconds. A few things to keep in mind:
- Close attention needs to be paid to format, work experience, and relevant skills.
- The most important information needs to go first, and all information needs to be relevant to the job.
- Keep consistent formatting.
- Utilize bullet points instead of paragraphs.
- Find a balance between maximizing space and not cramming information together.
- Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. Typos and grammatical errors are some of the most common mistakes.
Power Verbs
List key tasks or accomplishments as bullet points, beginning with a dynamic, action verb. Don’t overuse action verbs; seek synonyms where possible. Review the list of Power Verbs for reference.
Resume and Employment Guide for People with Disabilities
According to the Social Security Administration, there are over 8 million disabled workers in the United States. The attached article discusses best practices for resume writing, laws that protect from discrimination, and several other topics.
Building the Resume
Do not let writing your resume be a daunting task. There are several free templates and guides available online. Try one of Jobsan’s free professional resume templates, check out Resume Builder, or make an appointment with Career Services.
Contact Elizabeth Gramelspacher, Director of Career Services, at 270-686-4268 or [email protected], to get started on your resume!
Check out Getting Started On (Or Rebuilding) Your Resume for College Students