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Creating a resume. Step-by-step tutorial

Publication Date:

22/02/2024
Author

Karol Andruszków

Creating a resume is a critical step on the way to finding a job.
If you don't convince the recruiter with your resume, nobody will invite you to an interview. You won't even get a job as a result! Find out precisely what should be included in this important document!

You wil also find out an reliable and ​excellent way for starting your career search from scratch by creating your résumé online.

Build a professional resume

Brilliant resume. How to start?

A resume is a short and concise summary of your work experience and education. During recruitment, employers or recruiters compare tens, hundreds, and sometimes even thousands of resumes with each other. All this to find the best candidates.

You only have one chance to make an electrifying impression. Here's what you should do, step by step:

STEP 1. Choose the right resume format for you

There are three types of resumes. Depending on your professional experience and the industry you are applying to, one of them will be the best for you.Are you applying for multiple positions in various companies or industries? You can consider more than one resume format.

Chronological (or Reverse-chronological) Format

A traditional format that shows your education and experience according to the order (chronological or reverse) in which they occurred. We recommend such a resume when applying to more conservative, conservative companies and industries

Functional Format

A characteristic feature of this type of resume is listing your experience, not by time and skill. Use it if you are changing your career direction or do not have professional experience in the industry you are applying for. By demonstrating your skills, you will emphasize that you will find yourself in this position. Your work experience will then not be a problem.

Combination Format

As the name suggests, it's a combination of selected, best aspects of a chronological and functional resume. It is not easy to create such a format, but its proper use can give excellent results. We recommend it for applications for a position that requires documenting experience in many areas. If you choose this format, be careful that your document does not become too long.

No matter what format you choose - create your CV online!

It doesn't matter which format you decide in the end. You can easily create each of them online! How?

As a website!

website in light colors

Creating your résumé in the form of a website is very easy, makes a huge impression and is an undeniable proof of your professionalism.

What will you gain, creating your CV as a website?

  • Privacy - You may think that by creating a resume in the form of a website, anyone connected to the network will gain access to it. Relax, you don't need to be afraid of that. All you have to do is set your website as unlisted (not showing up in search results). Then only people who have a unique URL of your website will gain access to your CV.
  • Modernity - if you apply for a position in one of the modern industries, such as IT, creating a CV in the form of a website is a great idea. This is one of the most modern trends when it comes to employer branding and recruitment processes. By creating them, you will show that you are up-to-date with trends in your industry and that you are constantly developing.
  • Ease of editing - As you develop and gain experience, your resume will constantly change. Each new project you pursue, or a course you take part in, may prove to be of value to a potential employer. Therefore, it is important that you can easily edit and expand your résumé . A website built without any programming knowledge is ideal for this - in the website creator. For more information on website builders, see Website Builders. A Complete Beginner's Tutorial (2021).
  • Unlimited design - It is only up to you what shape and appearance you will give your CV , built in the form of a website. You can use one of the unique templates in which you only put your data and photo. Or you can build a website from scratch (thanks to website builders, you can do it without writing a single line of code!). One thing is for sure - no other solution will provide you with such individuality as a website with a resume!
a website about skills

Creating a website with a resume is a great way to present your work experience in a unique way. Above is a template dedicated for resumes, designed by BOWWE.com.

STEP 2. Create a header

You should include the essential information in the header. What exactly should be in it:

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • email address

Remember: Do not enter the address. It is redundant. In the end, you will most likely send your CV to the email address provided in the recruitment advertisement.

Additional tips:

  • If you use more than one phone, in your résumé, include the phone you want the recruiter to call you. If necessary, change your voicemail to a more professional one.
  • Make also sure your email address is professional and testifies well of you. Addresses like hotboy@gmail.com or candygirl@outlook.com are unacceptable. If necessary, set up a new email, such as johndoe@mail.com or janetwhite00@inbox.com.

STEP 3. Write a summary

A few sentences (we recommend 1-3) summarize your professional experience and skills attractive to the employer. Keep it precise and specific. Remember: The summary can help you explain why you're applying for a role that is a departure from your current career path.

Are there situations when it is not necessary to attach a summary? Yes! If your experience speaks for itself, a summary will not be necessary. In some less specialized professions, such as waiter, this is also not required.

STEP 4. List your experiences or skills

a website about skills

Do you want to effectively present your skills? Use the template above! You will find it here!

FOR CHRONOLOGICAL/COMBINATION RESUMES, LIST YOUR EXPERIENCES

Now is the time to check out your work experience. Start with your first or current job (depending on whether you choose the chronological format or reverse one)

  • In this section, show where you worked and when. Identify specific achievements in each position.
  • Determine what will be attractive to your employer. On this basis, make a selection of information and include in your resume only what may be of interest to you.
  • Choose the experiences that seem most appropriate to the job you're looking for. If you need inspiration, think about your full-time or part-time job, vacation, occasional jobs, internships, fieldwork, and special projects.
  • Are you worried if your experiences are "good enough"? No worries! Remember that employers value people who can work hard. If you have already worked in many various positions, you will additionally emphasize that you are not afraid of challenges.
  • Don't worry if your work experience includes Important for you to keep chronological order and place the most recent tasks at the top.

FOR FUNCTIONAL/COMBINATION RESUMES, LIST YOUR SKILLS

Remember that the "Skills" section is the place in your résumé where you should show your individual, unique strengths. So start by naming each skill specifically. Then, in two or three lines, explain how you acquired the skill or why you think you have it. Remember to write short and concisely.

Consider what employees (with what skills) the employer is looking for. Then write down the skills you have that are most attractive to him.
Don't forget to list the computer programs you have had experience with. However, you do not need to mention, for example, your knowledge of Microsoft Word (it is like boasting that you use cutlery when eating).

STEP 5. List your education

Make a list of the educational institutions you attended. Start with the most recent. If you are starting your professional career or have not graduated from university, provide information about the completed High School.

Add any other educational experiences, such as training programs, community college or summer courses, seminars, and so on.

STEP 6. Don't forget to list your activities and awards!

Activities

List both professional and additional activities in which you actively participated or organized. Describe what your roles were in each of them. Emphasize the importance of your work.

Here you can note things like memberships or leadership positions in clubs, associations, foundations, and organizations of all kinds - including sports teams, volunteering, etc. If you had an interesting job unrelated to your work field - for example, helping the disabled or tutoring - add it here. Employers are always looking for active people who are involved in their professional life. Moreover, such classes are perfect evidence of your values.

Awards

List Any Awards You've Won And When You Won Them.

If you have won prizes in exciting competitions or have been appreciated similarly - inform your employer about it. Haven't received any significant awards? Don't worry. It's not a big deal. Just skip this section.

STEP 7. Tell about yourself and list your personal interests

  • Describe your interests in such a way as to show that you are a versatile person that people would like to meet and work with.
  • Don't lie about your interests! Employers love to use this section at the start of an interview - as the icebreaker. If it then turns out that you don't know anything about your "interests," you won't get a job. Nobody wants to hire liars.
  • Don't mention the trivialities you like to do. Activities such as sleeping, watching TV, or playing computer games are better not included in your resume. Instead, write about your developing hobbies that you are passionate about.
  • Many people skip this stage of their CV. It's a mistake! After all, it's a straightforward way to stand out from other candidates and present yourself as an interesting person. However, if your résumé is already too long, you can skip it.

Submitting your CV

There are several ways to send your resume to the recruiter. However, each of them has a slightly different practice. See how they differ so as not to make mistakes and increase your chance of work.

Creation of a CV as a website

By far the best way to create a résumé , hence we list it first. If you want to be sure that your résumé will be noticed by recruiters - which will significantly increase your chance of getting a job - be sure to create your resume website!

Saving your Resume as a PDF

Most employers prefer to receive résumés saved as PDF. Look for the "Save as PDF" or "Print to PDF" option in your word processor to create a resume in PDF. Then go through the file very carefully and make sure that the formatting has not changed.

Emailing a Resume

Do you send your CV by email? Then you have to attach them as an attachment. Please review the recruitment ad carefully. It will say in what format and to which address you should send your résumé. If you send them in a different form, you will show that you have not read the ad carefully. And that will testify badly about you.

Posting a Resume

Before submitting your résumé to the HR service, carefully read the instructions for submitting the document. (PDF is the most popular format)
Another significant issue when submitting a resume online is the use of keywords related to the job offer.

Why is it so important?

Employers often filter resume databases with unique keywords or requirements. By including attractive words in your CV, you increase your chances of being found by the recruiter. Keywords tend to be nouns that are industry-specific qualifications, skills, or terms. Some keyword examples include degrees or certifications, job titles, computer lingo, industry jargon, product names, company names, and professional organizations.

Finally, if you are posting your resume or portfolio on a job site, be sure to hide your contact details! How to do it? Activate your privacy settings (most job sites offer them - avoid those that don't). Publishing sensitive personal information on the Internet can attract unwanted attention.

Printing your CV

It's a great idea to have printed copies of your resume on hand when you go to a job interview. This way, you will show that you are prepared and take the matter seriously, like a professional.

Make sure your PDF document is well-formatted. Print it on your printer. Use good quality paper. If you do not have a printer or have a problem with it, go to a nearby printer. You will pay a pittance for a few copies of your resume, and it will significantly increase your chances of employment.

Don't wait! Create your CV now!

a website about skills

If you want to increase your chances of employment, use BOWWE templates!
Choose a template according to your profession, insert your photo and personal data and put your resume online! No recruiter will pass by indifferently!