How to Create a Resume That Gets You Noticed

Take a look at your resume and ask yourself the following question: would you still be interested in reading it if it wasnt your own? Remember your resume is your business card – it represents who you are, at least accomplishment-wise. Therefore, you should not underestimate the task of creating a resume. It will take time to make it smart, straightforward, and sleek, but the extra effort will go a long way.

You can see big results by following these six tips:

Spell-check carefully. Computer spell-check programs dont always pick up on spelling and grammar errors, so proofread it yourself, and ask your friends and family to look it over as well. Attention to detail is the #1 rule for a successful resume.

Organize your resume by inserting information in reverse chronological order. Your most recent academic accomplishment should be at the top. Likewise, your most recent internship should be at the top of your professional experience. Remember to always include dates.

Set up your resume for easy reading Use a standard font such as 11 or 12 point Times New Roman or Arial. Bold, italicize, or underline important headlines (i.e. bold the name of the company you interned with; italicize your job title). Use bullets to separate accomplishments.
Use simple language and short sentences. Leave out the articles “a,” “an,” and “the,” and the pronouns “I,” “me,” and “myself.”

Accomplishments, accomplishments, accomplishments. Focus your resume on accomplishments, not tasks. Responsibilities and duties are important, but your successes are the ones that will set you apart.

Ask for a fresh perspective. Ask as many people as you can in your network (i.e. career service advisers, family members, former internship colleagues) to look your resume over and give you feedback.

Resumes sent to hiring companies are very often overlooked because many applicants dont follow the above suggestions. Now, more than ever, you need to stand out from the crowd. A concise and punchy resume – not more than one page long – and a well-written cover letter will increase your likelihood of landing a face-to-face interview.

How to Create a Resume That Gets You Noticed