CHECKLIST before starting to build a Resume

Resume is that 1-2 Page document which Speaks for You even before you have met the recruiter. About 80% of the applicants get rejected during Resume Screening itself. Good Resume serves as a ticket to the next round of a selection process. So if you want this ticket to pass the scanner without any hurdles, here are 3 basic factors to take care of:

A. Role Alignment: What is the purpose of this Resume? Which role/company/industry are you going to use it for? Answering these questions is the very first step towards building a Resume. Resume doesn’t work with “One Fits All” rule. It should be tailor -made for different positions it is being used for in terms of which keywords to highlight, what skillsets to showcase, which projects and certifications to add, what extra-curriculars can be avoided etc. Let every Resume fulfil its own purpose…!!!

B. Irrelevant Content: What is the difference between a Biodata and a Resume? What parts of my personal profile are relevant to the recruiter? Be very careful of what NOT to add in a Resume. Always remember – Resume is a document used only for professional purposes, so adding irrelevant personal information like Birthdate, Gender, Marital Status, Religion not only can irritate the recruiter but also can prove you unfit for the corporate world. With the changing trends, ideas like Career Objective, References, Declaration, Photo (unless explicitly specified), Hobbies have also lost their presence from a Resume. A recruiter on an average spends only 6 secs on a Resume. Thus, only Relevant Information can do the Magic…!!!

C. Format: What is the most ideal way of presenting my information? Answer to this in one statement will be - Dividing relevant information in sections like Academic Qualifications, Work Experience, Internships, Certifications, Achievements, Extra-Curricular Activities and presenting the details under each header in reverse chronological order using bold feature for important words and figures is the ideal way. Resume is not a place to experiment with colors, graphics, stylish fonts etc. Check the next blog “LOOK & FEEL of a Good Resume” to know more in detail about this. Just remember - Simplicity is the key…!!!