For many job seekers, the idea of crafting a resume is intimidating. But the fact is, your resume is your first impression to your potential employer. The way you create your resume, to a great extent, determines whether you will land your dream job.

In this post, we will show you seven simple steps to create a resume. Just follow these steps and you will end up crafting a great resume, even if you have never created one.

Step 1:  Choose an appropriate format

The proper construction of a resume is often underrated. The same goes for the visual appeal of this piece of paper. The way you construct your resume determines the decision of the hiring manager.

First of all, make sure that your resume is not long. Make it as brief as you can. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to confine your resume to one page only. As a rule of thumb, for every decade of experience, you can add one page. If you are applying for an entry-level role, keep your resume to one page only.

Step 2: Write a concise professional summary

Rather than writing a boring career objective, write a high-impact, short professional summary. And that makes sense, because the hiring manager already knows your career objective.

Focus on the reasons that make you a qualified candidate for the post. Make sure the opening is dynamic and memorable. Write some clear, crisp and concise sentences.

Most job seekers do not have enough resume writing skills. Time constraint is another issue. Many of them use professional writing services. The procedure is easy. They just have to go online, read some reviews, find the best online resume writing services, choose one and get the job done by an experienced resume writer. Job seekers who are super busy find these services convenient.

Step 3: Add accurate contact information

Make sure that the contact information you provide is accurate and up-to-date. Be careful when you refer to your academic accreditations. Put them in the “Education” section; not after your name.

Provide an email address that contains your name and looks standard and professional. If it is not an international company, you do not have to include personal information such as your nationality and marital status.

Step 4: Be strategic when writing your work history

Put your work history in the reverse chronological order. Include your recent work history first, and then go backwards. You can go back to 20 years, but not more.

Try not to make this section too long. If you have worked in a car insurance company, mention it briefly and write that you have helped many customers choose the right car insurance policies. Resist the temptation to provide too many details such as your previous employer’s contact information and your actual salary.

However, be sure to provide necessary details such as the company name, dates of employment, location, and your job responsibilities. Even if you are using the best online resume writing service to get the job done, request the writer to include your work history appropriately. If you keep the line of communication clear, you can expect to receive a well-crafted resume.

Step 5: Highlight your skills

Put the “Skills” section on the upper half and include both your hard and soft skills. Before you start working on this section, read the job description carefully and personalize the information.

Employers highly value soft skills such as teamwork, communication, adaptability and creativity. So, mention these skills in an appealing way. For readability, you can use bullet points. If you can highlight your skills appropriately, you will certainly get an edge over your competitors.

Step 6: Mention your qualifications strategically

There is a right and a wrong way of outlining your educational history. The right way is to use the reverse chronological order. If a degree is in progress, list it as “anticipated graduation”. Apart from your traditional college coursework, make sure you include your relevant licenses and certificates, and internships.

Do not hesitate to show off your knowledge in your field. However, try to do that without bragging. For example, if you are applying for the role of a motor vehicle driver, mention that you have up-to-date knowledge about driving safety rules. Do not use up a lot of space describing what you know. Mention it briefly but strategically.

Step 7: Proofread

Many job seekers forget the fact that proofreading is an integral part of creating a resume. Proofread it multiple times to see if there are grammatical errors and typos. It is even better if you can find someone else to read the resume.

Many online resume writing services also offer proofreading services. So, you can consider hiring a professional proofreader. Look at the resume from the reader’s perspective. Pretend as if you were the hiring manager. This way, finding issues will be a lot easier for you.

Final thoughts

We have provided a step-by-step guide for crafting a resume. However, we encourage you to take these instructions with a grain of salt. You will have to adjust and personalize these tips, based on the requirements of the job you are applying for. We hope you will build the perfect resume and land your dream job.