Your first impression is your last impression is a famous saying. And applies to all the situations in life, whether you are giving an interview, going on a first date or applying for a job. Applying for a job is rather trickier than the other two because you have to create an impression on a total stranger whom you know nothing about. And thus, it takes a bit of an effort to prepare for. But what should you prepare for? What is going to create that impression? It is simply your resume. For a recruiter, your resume is like an autobiography of yours which will draw a picture of you in their mind. So it is of utmost importance to create a resume that reflects your true self. But writing a resume can be tricky as it has many rules and formats stick to it. So let’s see some of the dos and don’ts of an impactful resume. Do’s It should be restricted to one page: As recruiters receive hundreds of applications for a job it is not possible to read more than one page for a single candidate. Use keywords: As nowadays large organizations use applicant tracking systems to weed out unqualified applicants. It is important to use certain keywords in your resume so that the computer doesn’t disqualify you before even going into the hand of a recruiter. Customize your resume: Your previous position may not directly match the job title you are applying for, but the experience and skills required can be relevant. Thus it is important to tailor your resume for each position you apply for by highlighting your qualifications and expertise that match the specific job requirements. But it shouldn’t contain any misleading fact. Don’ts Don’t hide the gaps: It is said it creates a bad impression when gaps are shown in your career. But it is not true, An undefined gap, without a strong reason may change the impression about you, but if you have a valid reason behind the gap, it doesn’t hamper your impression, rather it pictures a more confident picture of you. But yes you need to be honest and confident when explaining unemployment periods. Don’t try out unnecessary text effects and font style: It is good to be creative with your resume and make it attractive, but you shouldn’t go overboard with it. Keep it simple and clear, nothing can work better than a simple and crisp resume. Don’t use Cliché: Using these overused words by the applicants like a hard worker, team player, or detail-oriented, on resumes makes it very boring for the recruiters as they are seeing these same qualities in people again and again. It simply makes you the part of the crowd, and what they are looking for is someone unique and interesting.
