The dos and don’ts of writing a resumé

The resumé plays a huge role in how a candidate is perceived. It decides the employer’s first impression of a potential employee. A resumé is a document which mentions an individual’s experiences, both professional and otherwise, education, skills as well as other strengths. Although a resumé is required only after graduating, it is never too early to help your child inculcate the required skills used to write an ideal one. These days, more and more teens are applying for part-time jobs and/or internships to gain experience. Knowing how to write a resumé, thus, will come in handy sooner than later. There are subtle differences which segregate strong resumés from mediocre ones. Here are a list of dos and don’ts when it comes to writing the perfect resumé- 

Highlight relevant experience 
Encourage your youngster to highlight those parts of skills and experiences which are required of the job he is applying for. He needs to mention certifications, courses and transferrable skills which would benefit employer’s business goals. Also, it’s good to avoid mentioning skills which are not related.  

Mention soft skills 
Along with qualifications, degrees and experience, soft skills are another important aspect which must be mentioned. Employers put weightage on skills such as leadership, time management, organization, team spirit, etc. 

Keep it brief 
It is best to limit a resumé to around 1-2 pages. The point of a resumé is for the employer to glance at an individual’s qualifications, skills and experiences briefly before a more in-depth conversation. The most effective resumés are concise and to the point.  

Pay attention to grammar and vocabulary 
For a resumé, it is ideal to use direct, concise and short sentences. Long and complicated sentences make a resumé lengthy and difficult to read. Speaking about oneself in first person conveys a lack of formality, hence this must be avoided at all costs. 

Format the resumé 
Along with containing the required information, a resumé must also look neat and presentable. For this, it is essential to format it correctly- use a consistent font, font size and appropriate spacing. Also use a simple, clear template which is easy on the eyes. 

Avoid using too much personal information 
It is necessary to mention one’s name, email, mobile number, address, etc. However, personal information must be restricted to just that on a resumé or else, it conveys informality. Other personal details may be asked later during an interview/ onboarding.