Your resume is you on a piece of paper. There are a lot of resume builders out there to help you with layout and content. Acadium even has a template!
Here are general tips to build a good resume:
1. Give your basic details; photo not required
At the top of your resume, provide your basic details such as your full name, current location, mobile number, and email address. You may also add sites you feel are relevant, such as your LinkedIn, the link to your portfolio, or your other professional social media accounts.
You don’t need to add your picture, unless the job posting requires your photo.
2. Create a powerful introduction
This part is your way of showing off your current title, and your experiences. Try to follow a formula, such as this one from our blog:
Example: Experience level + Technology + Proof + Position
Senior (exp. level) SEO Content Specialist (position) – HubSpot (technology) Certified (proof)
If you prefer writing a short paragraph, try to skip information that can be found in your CV, such as your position—which can already be found in your header—years of experience in a field, and skills. You ideally only need three to four sentences here, so you can dedicate more space to other sections.
3. Use at least these four sections
Recruiters typically look for four things: your work experience, skills (e.g. content marketing, search engine optimization, etc.), educational background, and certifications.
Write these sections as concisely as you can. For skills, we advise listing them; and for your certifications and educational background, list what they’re for, how long it’s valid for, and what institution granted these titles. Put your most recent job and certifications at the top of each section as well.
5. Use action words when listing your responsibilities, and do not include generic skills
When you write about your work experience, use assertive language!
Example:
Instead of: Was responsible for creating and implementing the content map
Write: Created and delivered a 100-article content map
For your skills, only list skills that are relevant to your field. If you’re applying for a job in digital marketing, try to stick to skills such as:
Content Management System (CMS)
Content marketing
Social media skills
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
Lead generation & nurturing
Email marketing
Content marketing tools (SEO, SMM, graphic design, etc.)
Paid social media advertising
Copywriting
Communication (written and spoken)
Content creation
Content strategy development
6. Make sure your resumé is scannable
Most companies use software to scan resumés and streamline the candidate screening process. The software will look for certain words that make you a good fit for the company. If the software cannot scan your resumé, then you are automatically removed from the candidate list.
7. Make sure it looks neat
Even if your resume has designs and color, if it looks messy, then recruiters will not look at it. Make sure you use a readable font and a clean template.
8. Try to limit your resume to one page
Most HR personnel go through hundreds of resumés in a day. If your resume is more than one page, that second page isn't getting read.
Remember to add your Acadium certification/s and specific apprenticeship experiences to your resume to make it even more appealing to potential employers.