How to Make a Resume - A Comprehensive Guide in 2024 By - Himanshu Shakya (BISJHINTUS CONTENT WRITER)

Crafting a resume that stands out is more critical than ever, especially in today's competitive job market. Whether you're a fresh graduate or a seasoned professional looking to switch careers, knowing how to create a resume that grabs the attention of hiring managers is essential. In this guide, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of making a resume that not only showcases your qualifications but also ranks high in applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Step 1: Choosing the Right Resume Format

Step 2: Writing a Powerful Resume Summary or Objective

Step 3: Detailing Your Work Experience

Step 4: Highlighting Your Education

Step 5: Showcasing Your Skills

Step 6: Tailoring Your Resume for Remote Job Applications

Step 7: Optimizing Your Resume for ATS

Step 8: Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Step 9: Finalizing Your Resume

Conclusion

 

Introduction:

In 2024, your resume is your first impression in the job market. A well-crafted resume not only highlights your qualifications but also aligns with what recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS) are looking for. This guide is designed to help you create a resume that effectively markets your skills and experience, whether you're applying for your first job or seeking a new opportunity in a different field.

Step 1: Select the Right Resume Format:

The format of your resume sets the stage for how your information is perceived. The most common resume formats are:

Chronological Resume: This format lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. It's ideal for individuals with a solid work history in a particular field.

Functional Resume: This format focuses on skills and experience rather than chronological work history. It's best for those with gaps in their employment or those making a career change.

Combination Resume: A mix of both chronological and functional formats.

How to Choose the Best Format: Your choice should depend on your individual circumstances. For instance, a chronological resume is ideal if you have a steady work history, while a functional resume might be better if you're switching careers.

Step 2: Writing a Powerful Resume Summary or Objective:

The resume summary or objective is your first opportunity to catch a recruiter’s eye.

Resume Summary: A brief statement that summarizes your professional background and key achievements. This is best suited for individuals with some experience in the field.

Resume Objective: A concise declaration of your career goals and what you aim to achieve in the role you're applying for. This is often used by those new to the workforce or changing careers.

Examples of Strong Resume Summaries:

“Creative Graphic Designer with 6 years of experience in branding and multimedia marketing campaigns. Adept at designing visual concepts that enhance corporate identity and drive brand engagement. Increased social media engagement by 50% through strategic visual storytelling.”

Step 3: Detailing Your Work Experience:

Your work experience section is the core of your resume. It should provide a clear and concise overview of your professional history.

How to List Jobs and Internships: Start with your most recent job and work backward. For each position, include your job title, the company’s name, and the dates of employment. Follow this with bullet points that highlight your key responsibilities and achievements.

Using Action Verbs and Achievements: Use strong action verbs such as "managed," "developed," "designed," and "led" to describe your duties. Quantify your achievements whenever possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 20%").

Handling Employment Gaps: If you have gaps in your employment history, be prepared to explain them briefly in your cover letter or during an interview.

Step 4: Highlighting Your Education:

Your educational background is particularly important if you are a recent graduate or if your education is closely related to the job you're applying for.

How to Present Educational Background: List your highest degree first, followed by the name of the institution, and your graduation date. If you have a high GPA or relevant coursework, include that as well.

Relevant Coursework and Honors: If applicable, mention coursework that is relevant to the job, along with any honors or awards you received.

Including Certifications and Licenses: If you hold any certifications or licenses relevant to the job, be sure to list them in this section.

Step 5: Showcasing Your Skills:

In today's job market, skills can be just as important as experience. This section should highlight both your hard and soft skills.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities (e.g., programming, data analysis), while soft skills are more about personality traits and interpersonal abilities (e.g., communication, teamwork).

Tailoring Skills to the Job Description: Customize your skills section to reflect the requirements listed in the job description. This helps you stand out as a good fit for the role.

Step 6: Tailoring Your Resume for Remote Job Applications:

With the rise of remote work, it's important to tailor your resume to reflect the skills and experiences relevant to remote positions.

What to Emphasize for Remote Roles: Highlight your ability to work independently, manage your time effectively, and use remote work tools like Zoom, Slack, or Trello.

Examples of Remote Work Skills and Experience: If you’ve worked remotely before, include this in your job descriptions. If not, emphasize any experience with virtual communication or online project management.

Structuring Your Resume for a Remote Job: Consider adding a section that specifically addresses your remote work readiness, including your home office setup and any relevant technical skills.

                                                        (Download Resume template for free)

Step 7: Optimizing Your Resume for ATS:

Most large companies use ATS to screen resumes before they ever reach a human recruiter. Therefore, it’s crucial to optimize your resume for these systems.

Understanding How ATS Works: ATS scans resumes for keywords that match the job description. If your resume doesn’t include these keywords, it may be automatically rejected.

Keyword Optimization Strategies: Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description throughout your resume, particularly in the skills and work experience sections.

Formatting Tips for ATS Compatibility: Use standard fonts, avoid images or complex formatting, and save your resume as a .docx or PDF file to ensure it is easily readable by ATS.

Additional Tips: Explain the importance of avoiding headers and footers, as they may not be read correctly by ATS. Mention specific ATS-friendly fonts like Arial and Times New Roman, and advise saving resumes in .docx or PDF formats.

Step 8: Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid:

Even a small mistake on your resume can cost you a job opportunity. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:

Overused Phrases and Clichés: Avoid phrases like "team player," "hard worker," and "results-oriented." Instead, focus on specific achievements and skills.

Typos and Grammatical Errors: Always proofread your resume multiple times. Consider using tools like Grammarly or Hemingway to catch errors you might miss.

Step 9: Finalizing Your Resume:

Once you've completed your resume, it's important to review it thoroughly before sending it out.

Proofreading and Editing Tips: Read your resume aloud, have someone else review it, and use editing tools to polish your content.

Seeking Feedback from Peers or Professionals: Get a second opinion from a mentor, career counselor, or professional resume writer to ensure your resume is the best it can be.

How to Use Resume Builders and Templates: If you're struggling with formatting, consider using a resume builder or template. Many online tools offer free, customizable templates that can make your resume stand out.

Conclusion:

Creating a resume that stands out in 2024 isn't just about listing your qualifications; it's about strategically showcasing your skills in a way that resonates with both human recruiters and ATS. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll be well-equipped to craft a resume that opens doors to new opportunities. Start working on your resume today, and position yourself for success in the competitive job market.

(Get a free Resume template)

FAQ:

1. Can I use a resume template?
2. Yes. You could use a template to help you structure your resume, thus assuring you that the resume is inclusive of all the necessary segments. It's important, though, to alter the template to have its real representation of your skills and experience.

2. 
   
3. How long should my resume be?
4. 
   
5. Ideally, your resume should be one page if you have less than 10 years of experience. A two-page resume is acceptable only if you have a lot of experience or are applying for a senior position.

3. 
   
4. Which is the best resume format for someone with gaps in employment?
5. 
   
6. A functional resume format is often best for someone with gaps in their employment history as it focuses more on skills and experience rather than chronological work history.

4. 
   
5. How do I tailor my resume for a specific job?
6. 
   
7. Personalize your resume: With a clear understanding of the job description, focus on weaving in related keywords and skills into your summary, skills, and work experience sections. An employer would believe you have the qualifications they desire in a candidate.

5. 
   
6. Should I include references on my resume?
7. 
   
8. In general, you should not include references on your resume. You can instead prepare a separate document with your references available in case the employer requires them.