Time needed: 1 hour

Got shortlisted for a job posting? It’s now time to prepare for the interview. Find here a guide to help you when writing your resume.

1. Choose your resume format

   Select the relevant resume format that fits your skill or experience strengths.
   
   There are 3 resume formats:
   ✓ Chronological
   ✓ Functional
   ✓ Hybrid
   
   A chronological resume format focuses on your past job experiences. It is best for people with past work experiences without much gaps between employment. First time job seekers should avoid this format.
   
   A functional resume format puts more emphasis on the skills that you have. This is the best format for job seekers who have strong skill background with little or no past job experience.
   
   A hybrid resume format includes a balance between both the skills and past work experiences. This is the best resume format to use, especially if you have a strong skill background and enough past work experience.

2. Write Your Name And Contact Details

   At the top of your resume, start with giving your contact details. Include the following:
   
   ✓ Your Name
   ✓ Your Adress
   ✓ Your Phone Number
   ✓ Your email Adress
   ✓ Your LinkedIn Profile link
   ✓ Your location
   
   Make your profile as simple as possible to make it easy for recruiters to note.

3. Write Your Resume Title

   A resume title is the first thing recruiters see. Take advantage to make a stand-out first impression.
   
   Write a Resume title that is short and surmarizes who you are and the relationship to the job posting.
   
   Be sure to include main keywords in the job posting to make your resume title relevant.
   
   ✓ Make your title short, preferably under 10 words
   ✓ Make the first letter of each word in your resume title Capita. Bold your title bold to have it stand out from the main resume content.

4. Write your resume summary statement

   A resume summary statement is a short detailed overview of your experience and skills. A resume summary statement usually expounds on you resume title. When writing your resume summary statement, do the following;
   ✓ Highlight main points that make you the best fit for the job posting.
   ✓ Include your strong skills
   ✓ Include your relevant working experience
   ✓ Use details that are only relevant for the given job posting
   ✓ Ensure you include the main keywords of the job description to make your summary relevant

5. Write Your Work Experience Section

   The work experience section is very important in your resume. Work experiences especially those that match or relate to the posted job make recruiters consider you first.
   
   In this section, be sure to do the following;
   ✓ Write you past job positions and responsibilities
   ✓ Include your roles and value in the positions you’ve held
   ✓ Let your recruiters know the achievements you made in this positions and how you added to the organization you worked for.
   ✓ List each job in reverse-chronological order. Each job should have its own subheading that includes the following information: ✓ Company ✓Job location ✓Your job title ✓Start and end dates

   
   This is the section to go into detail on your past strengths and abilities that made you achieve in your past jobs. Recruiters are keen to note the companies you’ve worked for in the past, be precise and detailed to make this information easy to find, avoid too long paragraphs with filler words.

6. Write the skills section

   Now, its time to let your recruiters know the skills you have competence in. Recruiters look for skills that best match the job position they are looking to fill.
   
   Be specific with your skills, ensure you select the skills that best fit the job.
   
   To identify the most important skills that the recruiters are looking for, go through the job description. The skills that are mentioned multiple times throughout the description are the ones to go for.
   
   

7. Write the education and certification section

   The education and certification section is not very important in a resume. The important goal of a resume is to present your skills and work experience.
   
   However, some jobs might require this section, especially if they noted a degree or any other educational qualification. Also, for candidates fresh out of college, the education section shall come above the work experience section. Include the following:
   ✓ Name of Institution
   ✓ Degree
   ✓ School
   ✓ Location
   ✓ Years Attended

8. Polish up your resume

   At this point, your resume is ready. Go through the whole document checking for errors, commissions and other mistakes.
   
   Find important additions and omissions for the resume. Check that you have included relevant keywords from the job description. Research to know what past experiences and skills have won such jobs to find inspiration.