Resume Writing

This article presents a comprehensive idea about resume writing. It is aimed to provide basic resume writing tips with common rules applicable for all categories of job seekers of various levels. This guide is specially meant for Indian job seekers as many factors and considerations in the Indian employment market and government sector are based on the Indian value system, which are considerably different from the US model. We don't suggest that there is a unified theory for making resume, but these are common outline rules for making a good resume.

About Resume
Resume is the document you use to present yourself as a prospective applicant against a specific job rather than an outline sketch of your past history. Resume reflects your potential as a successful candidate against a specific job description for which an employer wishes to recruit a candidate. Through your resume you aim to convince an employer that you are capable to fulfill the specific job requirements in the given conditions. Therefore it is important to understand each job’s specific needs that prospective employers advertise. Having said that, let us examine the fundamental principles for making a resume. These include identifying the purpose or resume, career objectives, highlights of the resume, presentation of resume, resume title, summary, summarizing employment history and achievements, responsibilities handled, proofreading, printing/typing, presenting of resume, cover letters, etc.

Identifying the Purpose of Your Resume:

"A resume is a document which is made for applying a job" There is no common resume for all jobs that you are applying in your endavour to find a job. When you come across a specific job vacancy, say, Sales Executive' in XYZ Private Limited, a company in the specific industry with certain job requirement that is confined to that industry and region, you are explained a list of specific job requirements. You know that you possess the basic qualification and quantum of experience that the employer is looking for, but here you have to be convinced and should be able to convince through your resume, that you are a prospective candidate for the position. You make resume that convinces employer how you are suitable for the described job. The next day you come across another job, called Business Development Officer, in ABC Limited, a company in a different industry. Here also the employer has a job description for desired candidates. It is not advised that you use the copy of resume that you created previous day unmodified. Here today's employer need the similarly qualified candidate but has certain different job description. You need to modify the way you convinced the previous day's employer - without hiding or lying facts.

Summary of Resume

The summary of your resume should reflect your suitability for the specific job. Summary is the statement of objective of your resume. You must make a sentence clearly stating the specific aim of your career. One like "Looking for an organization that nourishes my career aspirations and utilizes my qualification, experience and potential for creating value...." is a vague statement. Instead, one like "A graduate who has earned substantial experience in Consumer Products Marketing and looks for an opportunity to enlarge my career sphere while contributing to a profitable organization" is more clear, specific and true statement of objective.

Make Your Resume Precise, Impressive and In Detail

Many job seekers tend to make lengthy, vague resume adding unnecessary mass by listing all the experience history starting from summer training, life history, description of academic study, past employment record with profiles of companies worked, hobbies and many other things.  Some people miss even the basic personal details; even avoid hinting if male of female, residential address, etc. A resume should carry one's basic personal facts, details like degree obtained, score in the final examination course listed (if fresher or up to mid level), name of the university/college in which studied, etc. Indian employment organizations consider knowing the age of the candidate essential, therefore providing date of birth is important. Similarly providing span of years taken to complete essential qualification is also important, so provide year of passing as well (unless you have big gap between courses). Unless you are applying for a position in government or public sector where there is some reservation criteria, there is no need to show religion, caste, region, etc. Avoid using abbreviations unless they are very famous in the industry. If you are repeating lengthy names you can use abbreviations. Your resume should not have many sub headings. The main items of your resume can be categorized in to:

·         Name, address, contact details: Name should be in bold letters on top of the resume.

·         Resume Title: E.g., Graduate in Design from Institute of Design with 2 years experience in Designing Patterns.

·         Resume Summary/ Objective

·         List of achievements

·         Employment History (In order of chronology, starting with the latest first (mention employer name, designation, period of employment)

·         Educational/professional qualifications starting with the highest qualification first (mentioning grade and year of passing recommended) with institution name.

·         Personal details

·         List of Reference (if required by the employer)

Use Simple and Clear Language

Use only words that you are sure about. If you have doubt about spelling of a word, refer a dictionary. Avoid using lengthy sentences, ambiguous statements, etc.

Proofread

Read the resume at least twice before sending to the employer. Take a print and then read the hard copy, there are many chances the mistakes you do not see on computer screen will be revealed. Make corrections and get the final print. If possible get someone else to review your resume before dispatching.

Specific Resume for Each Job

It is not advisable to take many photocopies and send it to many employers. Each time you match the job requirements and make changes according to your past experience. There are chances you would have come across such specific jobs at least once but you have not taken its details seriously. Recollecting about it may help you this time. (Don't worry even if one of the experiences mentioned by employer was not part of your main responsibility. Before you are invited for interview you can acquire a clear understanding about it by de facto experimenting, reading, discussing with your peers, friends, etc.)

Even if you need to use photocopies, make sure that you get a good quality copy taken on a well maintained photocopier.

Make sure that you are not telling any factual lie in your resume. Lies, though you may think minor and less important, telling them may affect fatally your career some time in future. That could make great hole in your whole career achievements.

Cover Up Gap Of Education, Employment

It is not a big sin to have gap in your academic period, employment, etc. But you should be able to explain that. If you have long gap in your jobs, it is better avoid mention of period of employment in resume. At least that may help you get a chance for interview. Again, you should be rightly prepared to explain (only if asked to explain specifically)