System One Home About Us Careers Contact Us
Client CompaniesFor Job Seekers

Writing an Effective Resume

Most recruiters or employers spend only a few minutes assessing your resume.  When writing or reviewing it, always look at it from their point of view.  What do they want to see?  What is irrelevant to them?  What will develop interest and excitement about you as a potential candidate?

Reviewers often use resumes to screen people "out" rather than "in."  The first person looking at your resume for a specific job is not likely to be the one doing an interview and may only be working off a criteria checklist.

Length:  Keep it to two pages maximum, according to most recruiters.  Any longer and you risk losing your audience.

Language and style:  Use clear, concise terms with active words that emphasize your strengths (e.g. accomplished, created, enhanced, launched, negotiated).  Opt for brief points or bullets rather than a narrative style.  Avoid initials and jargon.

Content:  Don't write a novel.  Be factual and succinct, and aim to encourage further interest in your application or an in-person meeting.  Be specific, using numbers or percentages to illustrate achievements.  Your resume should tell prospective employers everything that might interest them without wasting their time.

Editing:  Proof read for typos, spelling and grammatical errors and then ask someone else to double-check your document for you.  People do notice mistakes, to the detriment of your application. 

Formatting:  Use a clear, legible format on good quality plain paper.  Only use colored paper, borders or design effects if you work in a creative field.  Keep plenty of white space - don't attempt to cram extra info onto the page.

Sections:
  • Heading:  Clear identifying information, including your name, address, and all telephone numbers and email addresses. Think about placing this on the top right of your first page, so it is instantly visible to someone flipping through a pile of hard copy resumes.
  • Career details:  Start with your current or most recent employment and work in reverse chronological order.  Anything more than 10 years ago can be summarized into a couple of lines.  
  • Achievements:  Give plenty of thought to what you have achieved that will make you stand out and will indicate the benefits you can bring to the role.  Provide key details and be prepared to expand on these in an interview.

Personal details:   Provide only relevant information here that supports your candidacy for the particular job.  Include education if not in a separate section, memberships, language/technical skills and other topical interests.

Key Spots:   Consider the placement of facts and sections.  The place with most impact is the second quarter of the first page, so don't waste it.  Similarly, think about what you place in less significant spots - the reader's interest wanes by halfway through page two.

Honesty:  You might get away with enhancing your experience or qualifications - but don't try it!  If your experience can't stand up to scrutiny in the interview, your chance of getting the job becomes zero.

< Back






Career Support
Manage your career with System One's expert services. From interviewing tips to job alerts, System One offers tools and tips to increase your chances of landing the perfect job.

Career Advice