Looking for a job? Waiting for the perfect time to move? Are you passively searching and quietly looking around yourself? In this case, you have probably updated your resume. This can be quite difficult. What can you put in there? What shouldn't be in there? How would you describe your business mentality? What exactly are the recruiters looking for? Here are my tips and tricks, as a recruiter, on how to help you further!
Before you next update your resume, it's best to forget everything you've done as quickly as possible. The power of a good resume begins by writing down your experiences, knowledge and skills. Write what you know, and what you can remember well. Write what distinguishes you from your peers, AND write down where you get your energy from. With this list you can continue to work.
Your resume starts with a Pitch!
Your resume should start with a pitch. In a short summary, indicate who you are, what you are good at, how you approach things, and what you can do. Think of a metaphor, which describes your strengths and gives them more force when read.
Work experience!
Does this add value to my future employer?
Work experience is the next chapter of the two pages that contain your working life. What was your first job that had meaning? This may have been a job during your studies, but it could also have been quite a long time afterwards. This will dictate when you think your life realy started. The things that happened before can be summarised. Then, work from the bottom up, all the way to your most recent experience. At every point, you should be wondering; is this important? Will I want this in my new role? Does this add any value to me? Does this add value to my future employer? Why do I put it on paper? How do I put it on paper? State here what you want your experience to convey.
Training! Keep it Short and Sweet!
Training! Though very important, you should keep it short and sweet. Of course you're proud of the paper that you once wrote. However, this is important? Is there added value? Is it important NOW? Stick to your last three courses and training institutes. How you got there is a great conversation piece during an interview. You'll be invited to the level and content of your last received training and experience.
IT Skills! What skills?
IT Skills! Put it in and indicate how skilled you are with the various systems and which version of the systems you have mastered. If you can show how easily you pick up different systems and computer programs, it'll be easier for recruiters to approximate your level with the diversity of the programs that you have mastered. Here, it's definitely not 'less is more'.
Hobbies! It distinguishes you and it also gives a contribution to you as a person.
Hobbies! Controversial and not everyone believes this to be an item that belongs on a resume. However, it tells something about yourself. Your passions and how you live your life should be heard on your resume. It distinguishes you and it also gives a contribution to who you are as a person.
Please cite your personal details to your Linked-In account!
Everything is on paper. Black and white without layout. Maybe a picture, or maybe not? You may choose. What works for one recruiters does not work for another. Keep it professional, but approachable. Please cite your personal details to your Linked-In account or twitter, but not to your facebook account, or Instagram. Choose a font like Tahoma or Arial (sans serif) and not a playful font like comic sans. Stay with yourself. It's all about the information you transmit. Which is most important.
Do you recognize yourself? Are you proud of what you're saying?
And then ... let read this through. Make some edits, then repeat. The first time, ask someone you know in your field for advice. Then ask someone in your close personal condition. Then make some more changes to your resume again and read it aloud. Do you recognise yourself in your resume? Are you proud of what you're saying? It is indeed the statement in the dictionary in your picture?
Congratulations. YOUR CV is ready.
"In a Short Summary, I Conclude That!" Give your resume personality! Make sure you, your experiences, and your personality are scattered throughout your pages. If you want to know more, then you can always send me a message! Step out of your comfort zone, create your CV and make your dreams come true!
Welcome to my network! Are you looking for a new challenge? Look at www.yacht.nl for what my colleagues and I can do for you!
By Annelies Graafland-van der Zanden
Senior Recruitment Consultant Finance