A resume (or curriculum vitae) is one of the most important tools for any job seeker. This document is the first contact an employer has with a candidate, and can be decisive in determining whether a person will be invited for an interview. In an increasingly competitive working world, knowing how to fill out a resume successfully is essential to increase the chances of standing out among hundreds or thousands of applicants.
Clean and professional design.
The design of your resume is crucial, as it is the first thing a recruiter will see. A well-structured resume with a simple and professional design is easy to read and denotes seriousness. Here are some key aspects to achieve a proper design:
- Clear formatting: Use wide margins and spaces between sections to keep the document from looking cluttered.
- Legible typography: Use a simple font, such as Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman, in an appropriate size (between 10 and 12 points).
- Logical structure: Divide your resume into clearly identified sections (personal information, professional profile, work experience, education, skills, etc.).
- Using Bold and Italics: Use bold to highlight section titles or job and company names, and italics for additional details, such as dates of employment.
- Avoid unnecessary graphics: Unless you are in a creative field that requires visual presentation, avoid using images, graphics or flashy colors. A simple, clean resume is more professional.
Personal and contact information.
The first section of your resume should include your personal and contact information. It is essential that this information is accurate and easy to find. Include:
- Full name.
- Professional Email: Make sure you use a formal email address, preferably with your name. Avoid email addresses with nicknames or
- informal terms.
- Updated phone number.
- Link to your LinkedIn profile or professional portfolio (if relevant to the job you are applying for).
- Location: It is not necessary to include your full address, just the city and country.
Avoid adding unnecessary personal information, such as ID number, date of birth, marital status or a photo, unless it is specifically requested by the company or is a common practice in the country where you are seeking employment.
Professional profile or executive summary.
The professional profile or executive summary is a brief description of who you are as a professional, your main skills and achievements, and what you offer as a candidate. This section should be concise (3 to 5 lines) and attractive enough to catch the recruiter's attention.
Some tips for writing a good professional profile:
- Be specific: Don't use generic phrases like "I'm a hard worker" or "I like to work in a team." Instead, mention your areas of expertise and how you can add value to the company.
- Mention your main achievements: Briefly include your most notable achievements in previous jobs.
- Tailor your profile to the position: Make sure you tailor your resume to each position you're applying for. Use keywords from the job posting to align with what the employer is looking for.
Professional profile example:
"Digital marketing professional with over 5 years of experience managing online advertising campaigns. Specialized in SEO, SEM and data analysis, I have led strategies that increased sales by 30% for clients from various sectors. I am looking to contribute my analytical and creative skills to an innovative advertising agency."
Work experience.
Work experience is one of the most important sections of your resume, as employers will want to see where you have worked and what responsibilities you have had in each position. Here are some key points for writing this section:
- Reverse chronological order: Start with your most recent work and work backwards.
- Company name and title: Be sure to include the full name of the company, your job title, and the dates you worked there.
- Description of responsibilities and accomplishments: For each position, detail your main responsibilities, but also mention specific, preferably measurable, accomplishments. For example, “Increased sales by 15%” is more impactful than simply “Sales Manager.”
- Use action verbs: Action verbs like "directed," "increased," "implemented," "developed," help make your experience more dynamic and concrete.
Example:
XYZ Company | Project Coordinator | May 2018 - June 2021
I coordinated a team of 10 people in the implementation of technological projects for clients in the banking sector.
I implemented a new agile methodology that reduced development time by 20%.
Managed budgets of up to $500,000 per project.
Education.
The education section should detail your relevant academic background. Include any degrees you have earned, the educational institution, and the dates you completed each program. If you have solid work experience, it is not necessary to detail extracurricular activities or courses.
If you are a recent graduate or still pursuing a degree, you may want to include additional activities or academic achievements, such as awards, scholarships, or honors. Always remember to keep this section updated, especially if you are pursuing additional studies or certification programs.
Skills and competencies.
In this section, highlight the skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for. These skills can be divided into:
- Technical skills or "hard skills": These are specific skills that you have learned throughout your career or education, such as handling software programs, programming languages, operating machinery, etc.
- Soft skills: These are interpersonal skills, such as teamwork, effective communication, problem solving and leadership skills.
Be sure to tailor this section to the requirements of the job you are applying for, and do not include skills that are not relevant or in which you are not proficient.
Additional certifications and courses.
If you have taken additional courses or certifications, especially those that are relevant to the position, add them in this section. Certifications in specialized tools or specific skills can give you a competitive advantage over other candidates.
For example, if you're applying for a digital marketing position, Google Ads, Google Analytics, or Facebook Blueprint certifications may be highly valued.
Languages.
If you speak more than one language, this is the place to highlight it. Please indicate your level of fluency (basic, intermediate, advanced, or native) in each language. Language proficiency is a highly valued skill, especially in international roles or in companies that work with foreign clients.
References.
While it is not mandatory to include references on your resume, it is advisable to indicate that they are available if the employer requests them. This saves space on the resume, but makes it clear that you have people who can provide good references for your work.
Writing a successful resume isn't just about listing your past jobs, it's about strategically presenting your experience and skills to catch the recruiter's attention. Use a clear layout, customize your resume for each position, highlight your accomplishments, and make sure all information is accurate and relevant. With a well-crafted resume, your chances of landing the interview and ultimately the job you want will greatly increase.