In this day and age when employment opportunities are scarce and the demand for jobs are huge; developing one’s skill level has become imperative. Companies hiring employees have become much stricter with their screening process which is why it’s become much more difficult for mediocre candidates to get their desired jobs.
More often than not, people get too confused as to how will they prepare their resume. Some of the questions asked by most people are:-
What is a resume?
It’s simply the proof of your qualification and information about yourself but in a much more presentable manner. It will highlight your basic information, experience, expectations, skills and necessary qualifications. A Curriculum Vitae is the barometer against which prospective employers judge whether you are worthy of an interview.
Should I put my educational qualification at the top?
Yes for sure because any employer will want to see how much you are qualified and what kind of education have you got.
What if I am a fresher and don’t have enough to fill my CV?
It’s not always necessary to create several pages about yourself meaninglessly. Chose a format and font size which you feel should cover one page.
Is it necessary to provide references?
While it’s not always mandatory to provide references, it enhances your credibility if you provide one. A prospective employer will always prefer this.
What should I put on my resume?
Just the basic details like your name, address, contact number, academic qualification, work history and hobbies.
How do I ensure that it is read?
If you want employers to take notice of your resume, you have to make it stand out. Make the heading attractive and the descriptions concise. Organise all your information in a way so that employers don’t have any difficulty in finding what they are looking for.
What style employers prefer?
Predominantly, there are three kinds of resume – Chronological, Functional and Combinational. Chronological type is focused on emphasising your work experience. Functional ones focus on your skills and abilities for the job. Lastly, combinational ones amalgamate all the elements of the previous two types.
Should I keep a hard copy?
These days everything is done digitally and the employers will ask you to mail your resume. But that does not mean that you shouldn’t keep hard copies of it with you. At the time of the interview, you have to carry at least a signed hard copy with you.
Should I prepare a cover letter?
A cover letter is very important these days because its serves as an introduction to your application. It should be separate from the resume itself and it should focus on your interest to join the company where you are applying from.