Your simple guide to creating standout resumes for yourself or your clients
In today’s challenging job market, having a resume made by a professional can make all the difference. This comprehensive blog post has all the information you need, whether you want to learn how to write resumes for a living or are writing your own to get your dream job. With useful tools, best practices, and tips for making your resume better, you can make sure it stands out and gets through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
1. For Aspiring Resume Writers: How to Succeed
To be an excellent resume writer, you need more than just good writing skills. You also need to know about the business and pay close attention to detail. Here are some tips for making a good living as a resume writer:
A. Master Different Resume Formats
To help clients from a wide range of fields, you should know the three main types of resume formats:
- Chronological Resumes: Chronological resumes are best for people who have had steady jobs and list their experiences in reverse chronological order.
- Functional Resumes: Functional resumes are great for people who want to change careers or have gaps in their work history because they focus on skills instead of dates.
- Combination Resumes: These resumes are great for people who have a mix of good skills and work history, as they show that they can do both well.
Start writing by using sites like Resume.io that offer professional examples that will make your clients’ resumes look better.
B. Stay Current on Industry Trends
The job market and the way people are hired are constantly changing. Resume writers need to keep up with the latest trends. Many companies use software to weed out applicants, so learn how to make your resume work best for ATS. Jobs is one tool that can help you make sure that your clients’ resumes get through ATS systems correctly.
C. Use Impactful Action Verbs
Achievements, not just duties, should be highlighted on resumes. Use strong action verbs to help your clients stand out. For instance, don’t say “in charge of managing projects.” Instead, say, “led multiple high-priority projects, delivering ahead of schedule.” This makes applications more attractive to employers.
D. Provide extra services
As a resume writer, you need to offer extra value in order to be successful. Besides applications, you should also:
- Cover letters are made for each job.
- Optimizing your LinkedIn page will help you get more attention online.
- People get career advice to help them get ready for the job market.
Market these services on sites like Fiverr, where people are actively looking for help with job development and writing resumes.
2. How to Make a Resume That Stands Out for Job Seekers
For people looking for work, it’s essential to make a resume that stands out and gets past ATS. Here are some tips for creating a great resume:
A. Tailor Your Resume to Each Job
Only send the same resume for some jobs. Make sure that your resume is unique to each job by listing the skills and qualifications that are needed for that job. This shows companies that you’re a good fit and helps your resume get through ATS filters.
B. Highlight Achievements with Action Verbs
Employers want to know what kind of difference you made in your past jobs. Action verbs like “led,” “managed,” and “developed” are good ways to talk about what you’ve done and, when you can, put a number on your achievements. “Increased sales by 25% in six months” is a better phrase than “Responsible for sales.”
C. Create an Easy-to-Read Layout
Your resume should be well-organized and easy to read. It should have clear sections for things like your contact information, work history, skills, and schooling. Tools like Resume.io let you change the layout of their templates so your resume always looks clean and professional.
D. Proofread for Perfection
If you make spelling or grammar mistakes, you might lose the interview. Make sure your resume is free of errors by using Grammarly. An error-free resume shows that you pay attention to details, which is an essential trait that employers look for.
3. Optimize Your Resume for ATS
Many businesses review resumes using applicant tracking systems. Include job-related words like “resume summary,” “work experience,” and “skills section” in your resume to make it more likely that someone will look at it. Jobscan is a tool that can help you make your resume better for ATS, which increases its chances of getting to an actual recruiter.
4. Top Resume Writing Mistakes to Avoid
Overloading with Graphics: ATS systems might need to improve at handling pictures or fancy layouts. Keep the text simple and the style clean and business-like.
Using Passive Language: Action verbs make resumes more lively and exciting. Passive words like “was responsible for” should be avoided in favor of clear, powerful language.
Ignoring Keywords: Make sure that the keywords from the job description that are important to your resume are included. This makes it more likely that ATS screens will let you through.
5. Resume Templates for Different Fields
There may be different resume styles needed for other jobs. If you’re looking for work in tech, marketing, or healthcare, sites like Fiverr offer cheap custom resume design services that can make your resume look more professional and fit the job.
6. Building Your Career as a Resume Writer
There are things that people who want to make a living writing resumes need to do besides just writing resumes. To get ahead and grow in this field, follow these steps:
- Networking: Getting to know people: Join professional clubs and groups on LinkedIn or other social networks. Making connections with other career coaches, HR workers, and recruiters can help you find jobs and get helpful information.
- Creating a Portfolio: Create a portfolio that includes examples of effective resumes you have written. Show how your resumes have helped you get interviews or job offers by including recommendations from past clients. You will get more clients if you have a strong resume.
- Getting Certifications: Getting certifications in areas like resume writing or job development can help you look more trustworthy. Think about taking classes from the National Resume Writers’ Association (NRWA) or the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches (PARWCC).
7. Leverage Professional Tools
Feel free to use professional tools to make your resume look better. These sites are beneficial for people who want to write resumes and people who are looking for work:
- Resume.io: Resume.io has a lot of resume designs that are made for different types of jobs.
- Fiverr: Fiverr helps you find professionals who can improve your resume or write for you for money.
- Grammarly: Make sure that your resume is clean and free of mistakes.
- Jobscan: Makes your resume work better with ATS and helps match buzzwords from job postings.
The Bottom Line
Mastering the art of resume writing is essential if you want to stand out in today’s job market, whether you are making your resume or want to become a resume writer. You can make a resume that gets noticed by both ATS and employers by using strong action verbs, customizing your resume for each job, and using tools like Resume.io, Fiverr, and Grammarly.
You can get your dream job or help other people get theirs faster if you have a well-written resume. Start by using these best practices, and make sure that every resume you make shows off the unique skills and accomplishments that make candidates so appealing to companies.
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