5 Tips for Writing Your Best Resume

A poorly written and improperly structured resume could eliminate you from consideration for the position you’ve been hoping to land. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t have the time to completely read every resume during the first round, so they scan through them. And if your resume is not easy to read and follow, it could be rejected immediately and never make it to round two.

There are different ways to format your resume, and the format you choose will depend on where you are in your career. For instance, if you’re a recent college grad, you will highlight your academic accomplishments. If you have gaps in your employment history, you’ll focus on your skills to draw less attention to those gaps.

Of course, having the right credentials for a job opening is critical. But the importance of creating a resume with a solid structure cannot be minimized. Here are some ideas.

1. Make it readable

Since your resume will likely be scanned the first time, make sure it’s easy to read. Use a standard font—Arial or Helvetica—and stay at 10 or 12 point. Use italic and bold typeface where it’s needed to guide the reader’s eye, and use bullet points to call attention to your qualifications and accomplishments.

2. Choose a format and tailor it to the industry in which you’re applying

The chronological format is the one most people use. It lists a reverse chronology of your work history. In other words, your latest job is first on the list. A functional format lists your skills instead of dates of employment. A combined format lists your skills with your employment history below them.

 3. Choose accomplishments over a job description

Companies are looking for candidates that can help them solve their problems. Show them how you can do that by focusing on how you solved similar problems in your former jobs. Explain to the hiring manager what you did in the job, not just what the job was about. A short job description should be followed by a list of what you accomplished in the job.

 4. Emphasize your work experience

Unless you have recently graduated from college, list your job title, company, and dates of employment under the “Work Experience” section near the top. List your accomplishments and responsibilities for each job using bullet points instead of paragraphs.

List your education at the bottom. If you have previous work experience, you can omit GPA’s and any honors you received since the main thrust of your resume is your work experience, skills, and accomplishments.

5. Have a “Career Summary” instead of “Objectives”

Objectives tend to sound the same: “I’m looking for a challenging position where I can use my skills…” But a Career Summary can grab their attention by telling them what you have already done and how your accomplishments show that you will be able to meet their needs.

Need help with your resume?

Having an attention-grabbing resume is critical to landing your next job. We can help. Contact us today to learn more or search for a job.

Stay Fit! Good Health Can Benefit You and Your Job

We all know we should be exercising and eating right, but it’s often easier to head straight home after work rather than hitting the gym. And, stopping for fast food along the way will save the time and energy required for a healthful meal.

Now, here’s one more item to put on the list of benefits that are derived from staying fit and eating right—it can make you more productive both at home and at work. And if you’re wondering if you must train for a half-marathon to get those benefits, you can relax. You‘ll need to do activities that raise your heart rate, but you won’t have to do any ten-mile runs.

As for eating right, there are many eating plans similar to the Paleo Diet that will set you on the path to good health, especially when they are combined with eight hours of sleep and a commitment to exercise.

Here’s how it can help you and your career.

Exercise can grow your brain

Exercise uses more brain cells than many other activities, and new research has discovered that we can foster the growth of new brain cells during exercise. In other words, the more you use it, the more it grows. So, when you exercise, you’re giving your brain a workout along with your body.

 A good diet helps you to think clearly

If you are skipping meals or eating the wrong foods, you might find it difficult to do your job properly. That’s because the lack of regular healthy meals can be a substantial drain on your brain, making it hard for you to concentrate without becoming distracted. If you deprive your brain of blood glucose and protein by not eating the right foods, you will lose your energy and your ability to think clearly.

Exercise improves your attitude

People who exercise tend to have a positive attitude in all aspects of their lives. Working out gives them a feeling of well-being that translates into higher productivity. They respond energetically to issues as they come up, looking for solutions and coming up with ideas to efficiently complete their tasks. Exercise can also be a powerful antidote to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress.

Being fit can eliminate mental sluggishness

Want to be sharper at work? Get into the habit of exercising. People who exercise regularly are more alert because it has been shown to increase the amount of space in your brain to think about things. So, the next time you’re thinking about skipping a scheduled workout, remember that it can help you think on your feet during your next presentation or help you pay attention during someone else’s boring one.

Are you looking for a new job?

Stride Staffing can help you find a great job.  We work with great companies who are looking to bring awesome people onto their team. Search for a job or contact us to learn more!