To ensure that your resume is free of errors that might raise a red flag , it is important to review the resume with a checklist after writing it. Pasted below is a Resume Checklist with instructional guidance to ensure that your resume is perfect!
1. Clear Objective
Lately, there is a lot of fuss over whether or not the career objective is important to a professional resume. However, the objective section in a resume continues to add value to the candidature and is considered important to most jobs. An ideal resume objective is a clear and concise statement relevant to the job description, which is supported by your credentials.
2. Readable Design, Format and Font Choice
Candidates must ensure that the resume is readable. Resume writing coaches advocate candidates to use Sans-Serif fonts with 12-Point Size to increase the readability of the resume document on a wide variety of screens. It is important to maintain a formal tone in the resume and an easy way to do is by avoiding the use of personal pronouns such as “I” or “Me”.
3. Are there any Red Flags in your Resume?
Red flags are warning signals that hiring managers look out for, to detect unfit candidates. Visible gaps in your employment history, inconsistent details, and multiple short-term jobs are the main red flags that result in rejections. Red flags are considered cues that raise suspicions about your candidacy and it is best to address and rectify the same before sending the resume.
4. Highlight Achievements and Skills
It is important to customize your resume to respond to the specific job application you’re applying for. To make your resume relevant, candidates must quantify their achievements by quoting the target’s achievements and results of the past jobs. Moreover, hiring managers believe that the achievements section is the most important part of a resume. To make it appealing, remember to add precise skills to this section as requested by the employer in the job application.
5. Accurate Executive Summary
An ideal summary statement in a resume must present a gist of Who you are, what you do and why an employer should consider hiring you. Experts recommend using exact keywords from the job application to refer to your proficiencies, skills, and accomplishments relevant to the job role.
6. Relevant Power Verbs
A genius tip to apply in your resume is the use of power verbs. Also called action verbs, power verbs emphasize the outstanding technical expertise of the candidate. It is important to use action words at the beginning of work experience to make your resume stand out. A bold and relevant action verb immediately catches the eye of the reader and increases the effectiveness of your resume statements.
7. ATS-Compatibility
As a wide majority of companies use computer software such as ATS to filter and track resume applications, it is wise to customize your resume to pass the same tests. Automatic Tracking Software scans the resumes to find precise and relevant technical information that establishes the qualifications of a candidate. To pass the ATS evaluation, candidates must use standard section headers as well as 50% of keywords directly from the job application.
8. Total Size of the Document Must be lesser than 5 MB
Candidates must ensure that the resume file does not exceed the standard resume size. Hiring managers advocate candidates to restrict resume size to lesser than 5 MB or two pages to pass initial scanning. Avoid using lengthy paragraphs on a resume as it buries vital information out of sight from the reader.
9. Proofread the Document: Thrice
Proofreading errors must be strictly avoided in an official resume. Presence of typos, spelling mistakes and grammatical errors are proofs of your incompetent communication or writing skills, thereby derogatory to the candidacy. To avoid the same, candidates must request a friend or family member to scan the resume. You can also use online grammar and spell checkers such as Grammarly to ensure that your resume is flawless.
10. Have you created your Resume Cover Letter?
Considered a cloak that introduces the resume in the best limelight, the cover letter is mandatory for every job application. Your Cover Letter must be formatted according to current standards and must add unique value to your resume. Moreover, a cover letter helps the candidate to elaborate on information that cannot be included in a resume.
Conclusion
With changing technology, the resume holds an indispensable value to job seekers. From proofreading tips to formatting, designing and drafting vital sections in a resume, the aforementioned tips can help you craft a flawless resume that guarantees the interview! A good resume checklist helps you to assess if your resume is qualified to win the dream job.
