Resume writing can be intimidating as there are many rules and high expectations. DIVERSANT has been reviewing, tweaking, and submitting resumes for years. We are here to help alleviate the frustration of creating a resume by sharing our resume writing guidelines! 

Why are resumes important? 

A resume is an opportunity to sell yourself in your own words. This may sound overwhelming to some, but who else is better at explaining your skills and abilities than you? 

Resumes make you accessible when shared online, and there are a variety of channels to choose from when it comes to sharing. Resumes can be posted on a job board, plugged in to a social media site such as LinkedIn, or parsed into an applicant tracking system (ATS). All of these avenues make it possible for your information to be found. And the better your resume is formatted, worded, and edited, the more likely you will land an interview. 

What is the best way to convey experience? 

Without a doubt, your experience is what helps you land a job, so ensuring you can accurately reflect your accomplishments in your resume is critical.

Quantifying your work is the best way to help hiring managers visualize achievements. For example, listing how much a project increased revenue is a great way to showcase your work.

The best way to keep track of your accomplishments is to update your resume in real-time, no matter your job situation. Updating ensures accurate timelines and precise information. This action will help alleviate any undue stress of remembering all experiences and promotions if putting together a resume at the last minute.

Professional summary vs. career objective

Resume content has changed over time. Previously, resumes would include a “career objective” section that would detail the candidate’s ideal career path. Employers are now more interested in how your experience can help drive their goals to the finish line.

A “professional summary” is the new “career objective.” Your “summary” purpose is to sell your experience quickly and concisely. The summary should be three to four sentences long and should be captivating.

ATS and how it relates to resumes

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) is a software system used by many staffing firms and companies alike. An ATS is used to parse resumes into a database based on various information. Recruiters and hiring managers then use keywords to search for candidates.

Keywords for an ATS search often include zip codes, cities, job titles, and different skills, making it essential for resumes to have such information. Ideally, summaries include keywords related to the specific jobs. These actions will grab the hiring manager’s attention and make you more identifiable to an ATS system. Be sure to include keywords throughout your “experience” section.

Finding keywords for your resume

Keywords are often talked about but rarely does anyone discuss how to find the best keywords for a resume. Utilizing a job description is a great way to ascertain what employers are seeking in their next hire. Pulling relatable key phrases and words from the description and plugging them into a resume will help ensure your resume stands out as a fit for the role. Of course, over-utilizing keywords can be a detriment as it can appear the resume is inauthentic, so use keywords sparingly. Avoid plagiarizing.

Seeking inspiration

Seeking inspiration is encouraged when composing a resume. LinkedIn is a great way to get your brain in gear for resume writing. When reviewing profiles, look for new keywords that relate to your experience. You may find a format you like during your search or get inspired by someone’s professional summary write-up.

Again, avoid plagiarism as it can cost you an opportunity with a future employer.

Resume semantics

Resume basics can still be a struggle for some since there is varying information on the semantics of a resume. Hiring managers want to see your most recent, relevant work. Your resume should reflect this by way of listing your experience in reverse chronological order.

Using sites such as Grammarly can help edit your resume and ensure your resume is grammatically correct, checked for spelling errors, and flows appropriately. Walking away from your resume and coming back in an hour or so will also help you see any potential errors.

Mistakes in resume writing include adding personal information such as DOB, SSN, and gender. This information is not needed or required.  Refrain from listing any references; only provide these upon request.

Include any education as well as relatable certificates, but exclude GPA as it is not relevant. Placement of education depends on the importance related to the job. If job requirements include specific certifications, MA degrees, and such for the role, insert this section before your experience. If having specific education is less important than experience, list education after expertise in your resume.

Partnering with a recruiter

Recruiters have in-depth knowledge about what their clients are seeking in their next hire. A recruiter’s knowledge goes beyond the job description so they can truly assist you with your job search.

Although recruiters do not write resumes for their candidates, they can help tweak your resume to be more appealing to the client. They can suggest edits to make your resume easier to read and guide you on how to highlight the most essential experience related to the job.

Recruiters submit your resume directly into the hands of the hiring manager, bypassing ATS systems. The recruiter-client relationship gives candidates an advantage because recruiters advocate for their candidates. They help overcome client objections, push for the highest pay allowable, and work hard to place the right candidates in the right jobs.

DIVERSANT can help!

As the largest minority-owned IT staffing firm in the US, DIVERSANT has established itself as a leader in the industry.

If you are an IT professional seeking an experienced recruiter who is well-versed in the IT field, look no further. Connect with a DIVERSANT recruiter today. We have clients throughout the U.S. and recruiters ready to assist you in your job search.