"Well begun is half done" - Aristotle
The key word is ’concise’. Résumé should not be more then couple of pages long. If its only one page, great! A typical HR guy receives hundreds of applications every week.
But how to make that five pages long résumé short? Everything looks so important. Keeping the following guidelines in mind while writing the résumé can significantly reduce the size without leaving anything important out:
- Select a format and stick to it: selecting a format that suits your requirement is the most important part of making your résumé. Three main formats you can use are:
- Chronological format: This format is suitable for an experienced person who is interested in changing his job. The résumé contains a date by date narration of previous jobs.
- Functional format: This is suitable for a fresh graduate or if someone is changing his field. You get to show your transferable skills and all sorts of achievements not necessarily part of your job.
- Chronological-combination format: Though both the formats have pros and cons, like one might have guessed, the best option is to combine both the formats. This type of résumé contains a narration of past job experiences and also describes the skills. This format is equally suitable for fresh grads as well as experienced applicants.
- Put only the graduation and higher academic details unless specifically asked. Hardly anyone is interested in your secondary school details. Though don’t forget to include any awards/achievements you might have got.
- Projects/job description should be to the point and not lengthy paragraphs describing every minute detail. That way you leave something to be discussed during interview.
- If you don’t remember details of any project then don’t include it in your résumé. Remember, you are in big trouble if you can’t answer questions related to your résumé.
- Don’t include projects that are not relevant to the job offered.
