Writing your Resume

This post is not about how to make your resume or resume formats. There is so much literature available around making resumes. This post is my reflection on what makes a good resume. Since 2004, I have been viewing 25-30 resumes every day. And since then, I have read enough obituaries about the resume. The world of recruiting talent changed upside down but the resume has survived and still going strong.

So, what makes one resume better than the other?

Don’t treat your resume readers as juveniles by stuffing too much information. The person reading your resume wants to merely decide whether you are worth meeting or not.

Resume should be like a visiting card – handy, should tell you all necessary information about the person at a glance. It should be short – 2 pages at best. It should include

• A good professional picture – Select a pic where you are dressed for the job you want
• contact information ie. phone number and email id. Address, passport number etc. not required.
• A 2-line summary of who you are.
• Education details complete with year of qualification, institute name, marks etc.
• Details of your most relevant work experience – background, responsibilities and achievements
• Career chronology – don’t dwell too much on earlier or irrelevant tenures. No one is interested to know about the campus job you were selected in and spent 2 years there unless you are currently doing it. Do not write all the minute details. Not required. Leave something for discussions during your interview.
• Conversation starters – trainings, interests etc.
• White spaces – make it soothing to the eyes. Don’t clutter with info.
• Avoid graphics
• Quantify – Use numbers to give context
• Use tables for career chronology, education which makes it easier to read.

Best way is to key in all the content and then arrange it in a flow. Leave the formatting to anyone whom you know is good at it or even to a professional. Don’t let the professional write your resume. I have squirmed far too many times at the interview table watching candidates not knowing whats written on their own resumes. Everything must be verifiable.