How to Write a Resume for the First Time

Writing a resume can be a difficult task; especially for those writing it for the first time. It creates the first impression about any candidate, which helps the employer decide whether he deserves to be a part of the organization or not.

It should contain educational qualifications, professional experience details, personal details, objective, references, and other interests of the candidate, as well as hobbies. One of the foremost responsibilities of a candidate is that he compose an error-free, accurate, and compelling resume.

The objective of a resume is its decisive and most important aspect. Be practical and precise and do not exaggerate. Do not sound arrogant and challenge the company or the interviewers.

The objective should be in sync with the requirements of the company, and you will have to change it while applying for jobs in different companies, as per their needs. The objective should not be too long and it's very essential to be specific and to the point while writing it.

Knowing how to write resume references is essential, as many candidates make mistakes while doing so. You need to shortlist the people whom you know for a considerable period of time, who can vouch for your work quality, experience, sincerity, and character. You need to contact these people and seek permission from them.

The references should be written in bold and should be segregated into personal and professional ones, under two different subheads. It's also essential to write about the current job profile, place of work, and contact details of your references, that are listed in the resume.

While writing the cover letter, make sure that it's concise, and expresses your interest and desire to work with the organization for the post offered, in the first line itself. In the main part of the resume, write about the basic points, highlights, or the summary of your resume, and also mention any additional qualifications (if any).

Write about your abilities and capacity to do the job well and in the final paragraph, try to convey to the employer how you will be an asset to the organization and outperform their expectations at the workplace.

The format of the resume should be easy to follow and should ideally be in a chronological order, as most employers or recruitment firms prefer it this way. In this kind of format, you will be beginning with your present employment details.

The educational details should be mentioned after the professional details. Let your writing be professional and as per the requirements of the employer.

Your resume should look neat and presentable - so avoid using different types of colors and font sizes, as this can be irritating for the people reading it. The font size should be uniform and it is advisable that you keep it simple, as per the industry standards.

A non-serif font will create a good impression. Assert your strengths without sounding too desperate. Using bullets, you can highlight the main points.

Remember, all important points should be at the beginning of the resume and see to it that you are not missing out on anything. Writing about your career goal is important, as it reflects your way of thinking. The resume should be simple, with all details listed truthfully, and the length should not exceed three pages.

Apart from the right resume, confidence, deep knowledge, and a good personality are essential to succeed in the interview.