Thinking that our resume is read with dedication can be a mistake, because according to a recent statistic a recruiter spends an average of 7 seconds during the first review of a resume and to capture attention in such a short time it is essential to create an extremely effective resume.
In this post we will see how to write a CV without making mistakes, but also what to delete and what to insert when we want to change our professional trajectory.
What to consider when creating a resume
- Appropriate Design: at first sight it is important that the style of the CV is consistent with the position we want to obtain. Avoid forms to fill out, much better a simple design than something already seen a million times.
- Differentiation: It is crucial to clarify exactly what elements of our experience make the resume different from that of other candidates.
- Structure: to facilitate reading it is important to organize a good drafting of the professional profile and an explanation of the results achieved in each work experience. Chronological order and division into sections are key elements.
- Personalization: a single resume template is not valid for all job applications, it is important to have more than one and always adapt it to the profile of the company to which it is addressed.
- Content: must be precise and oriented to the role we aspire to. Perfect spelling and the use of keywords are essential.
What to remove from resume
The more concise your resume is, the easier it is for the recruiter to find something that catches his or her attention.
To get an advantage over the other candidates you will have to focus only on personal experiences and aspects that could potentially be of interest to the company.
In particular, a good CV eliminates all unnecessary data so that only with a visual scan it is possible to find something interesting about the candidate.
- Contact information: Never enter a phone number you don’t use. You may miss out on the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
- Unprofessional email: Obviously you need to provide a valid email address that we have access to, but if the only email you have is unprofessional (basically anything other than first/last name) we recommend creating one . Avoiding nick-names is mandatory.
- Not suitable photos: Avoid photos that are years old, and especially those that don’t represent us as a professional. Even if it seems boring, it is much better the photo in “ID” format than one from the holidays or cropped from the last family photo.
- Irrelevant hobbies or other interests: It is important to only enter hobbies or passions directly related to the job you are applying for.
- Work experience over 10 years ago: Unless you are just out of college or are an executive with decades of experience in the industry, you should add no more than 4-5 work experience that does not go beyond the last 10 years .
- Training not related to the role: you never stop learning, and training in every field is important. However, we try to avoid including courses that are not relevant for the recruiter in the CV; for example, if we are applying for a job in accounting, reporting that we have done an oriental cooking workshop is absolutely irrelevant.
Tips for creating a resume when you want to change your profession
It is not uncommon that there comes a time in life when one questions one’s profession and whether it is the right one for our future.
Often a change of trajectory can help you find a more interesting or stimulating job, which also allows you to obtain benefits in your personal life.
If you think about making the transition to the cannabis industry, start by updating your resume and cover letter with the experience and knowledge you have in the field, and review your current skillsets with a new approach that fits the industry you’re in. Do you want to login.
How to update your resume if you’re thinking about changing jobs
- Do a research on the new sector: it is important to carry out an accurate investigation to know all the aspects related to the new profession or the new sector. You need to thoroughly study what the position requires, what is essential to the company, and what they would like to see on a resume.
- Learn the “slang” of the sector: another aspect not to be underestimated is knowing and familiarizing yourself with the terms of the new profession we have chosen. Each industry has its own jargon: terminology, acronyms or initials that only make sense to those in that particular field. Your goal is to be able to translate your strengths and experiences into terms that are familiar to the new employer. To do this, it is important to read publications, follow the social networks of the new sector and participate in dedicated events.
- Identify your transferable skills: When trying to change careers it is common to have no prior experience. The resume therefore cannot be based on them, so you should improve information about your skills or specific training.
- Highlight your education: As you progress in your new professional career, education can lose importance on the resume. But if you’re looking to break into a new field, it may be worth highlighting it if it helps you demonstrate specific industry knowledge. If you have taken courses or workshops, specify it at the top of the CV and then leave room for skills and experience.
Now that you know the characteristics of an effective resume, take the time to create and customize it to best represent you.
A verification method can be to let friends or family read it before sending it to identify possible errors or to ask for an uninterested opinion.
Are you ready to create the perfect resume?
If you still have doubts or want to share some advice, leave a comment.