How to write a professional resume? Complete guide + tips

Writing a professional resume is very important as your first introduction to employers. A professional and complete resume should demonstrate your abilities and experience to convince the employer that you are the best fit for their position. In this article, we have given all the steps and key points for writing a professional resume.

How to write a resume?

1. Keep your resume concise and useful.

The resume should be short and concise so that the employer can review all the important information in a short time. Ideally, your resume should be a one-page summary, but if more information is needed, you can make it two pages.
The purpose of writing a resume is to convince the employer in a short period of time that you are the best option for the desired job position.

2. Choosing the right format for the resume

One of the most important factors in the success of a resume is choosing the right format. The most common formats include chronological, skill, and composite resumes. Choosing a template should be done according to your work experience and skills. For people with a long work experience, a time format arranged from the most recent experience to the oldest is most suitable.

3. Selecting relevant experiences and prioritizing information

All the information you write in your resume should be relevant to the job you are looking for. It is not necessary to mention all the past experiences, but you should focus on the experiences and skills that are most related to the job position. Also, prioritize more important information such as skills, educational background, and relevant experience.

4. Emphasize important achievements

Instead of listing job descriptions, describe your accomplishments in detail. If possible, put your successes in numbers to show the impact you have on projects or tasks.

How should the resume look and format?

After you have entered all the necessary information in your resume, it is important to pay attention to the appearance and format of the resume. Make sure the resume is visually appealing and organized, and make any necessary adjustments to improve its appearance.

1.    Keep the resume as simple as possible

Successful resume examples are often known for their simplicity and clarity. Simple writing makes the resume easy to read and employers review it faster. Simple writing means using clear language as well as professional and readable fonts.

2. Choosing the right font

To make your resume more readable, use standard and understandable fonts. The suggested font size is between 10 and 12. Choosing simple fonts will make your resume look more professional. Also, avoid creating too much white space in your resume, as this can distract the reader. In English resumes, fonts like Arial and Times New Roman are common, and for Persian resumes, fonts like Nazanin or Mitra are used.

3. Set the margins of the resume file

In the resume, a margin of one inch is usually placed on each side of the page. Line spacing should also be appropriate so that the resume looks readable and attractive. Margins should not be more than 2 inches to leave enough space for text.

4.    Complete Contact Information

You don't need to include your exact address in your resume, but be sure to include your contact number, email address, and link to your LinkedIn profile so that the employer can contact you better.

How to write the work record section?

The work history section is one of the most important sections of the resume that attracts the attention of employers. In this section, you need to know what information to include, what information to avoid, and what to do if you don't have relevant work experience.

1. Write relevant and new records

It is better to write only work experiences of the last 10 to 15 years and avoid writing older experiences. Also, only the experiences that are related to the desired job should be written in the resume. Mentioning unrelated jobs does not add coherence to your resume.

2. What if you don't have relevant work experience?

If you have no relevant work experience or are a recent graduate, focus on the skills and abilities section related to the job you are applying for. Highlight your skills rather than your work history so that the employer can get a better understanding of your capabilities.

3. Using bullet points for better categorization

One of the most important principles in writing a resume is the proper use of bullet points. This makes the contents well categorized and the employer's eyes can read them more easily. However, do not use more than 4-5 bullet points for each section of the resume so that your resume is not crowded.

4. Demonstration of skills in practical form

It is not enough to list skills; You have to display them in such a way that your capabilities are clearly defined in practice. For example, in the bullet points section, you can subtly convey your management or leadership skills in the form of career achievements, without mentioning them directly.

5. Use keywords for the desired job

To improve your chances in the hiring process, read the desired job description carefully and use the main keywords of that job in your resume. This shows the employer that 

you are in tune with their job needs and requirements and that your skills match their expectations.

How to write educational records in resume?

The education section of your resume plays an important role in providing a complete picture of your abilities and experiences. In this section, you should consider the following key points:

1. Experience first, qualifications second

Presenting your educational experiences, such as projects and research you have done, is more important than mentioning the name of the university or place of study. If you are a recent graduate, you can focus more on your qualifications, but for people with work experience, practical experience is more important.

2. Avoidance of dates

Employers are usually more interested in your qualifications than your exact graduation date. So there is no need to mention dates unless you have just graduated.

3. Emphasis on academic achievements

Any educational achievements that are relevant to the job you are applying for should be prominently mentioned in your resume. Your scientific and research achievements can play an important role in attracting the attention of the employer.

4. Mention job-related skills

Make sure you only list skills that are directly related to the job you are applying for. Avoid writing generic skills that all applicants are expected to have.

5. Current status of education

If you are still studying, whether in person or online, mention this on your resume. Add all the courses and online training you have completed in this section.

Things you should not include in your resume

1. Short-term jobs

If you have worked in temporary or short-term jobs, it is better to skip including them on your resume. Instead, focus on relevant, long-lasting experiences.

2. Frequent job changes

If you have had frequent changes in your workplace and jobs, provide a logical and convincing reason for each one. For example, you can mention the change of residence or the closing of the company where you worked. This will help to reduce uncertainties in the employer's mind and increase your credibility.

3. Career Breaks

If you have had interruptions in your career and have been out of work for a few months, you do not need to list the exact start and end dates of each job on your resume. Instead of writing dates, it is better to settle for years of activity to avoid clutter and ambiguity in the resume.

The last step: proofreading and final submission of the resume

1. Proofreading, editing and typos

Before you send the final version of the resume to companies and organizations, check it carefully several times. Make sure that it includes all the essentials related to the job you are applying for and that the text is written in a short, concise and useful manner. Also, writing and phrasing should be fluent and clear and not have any spelling mistakes.

2. Save resume in PDF format

Before emailing or sending your resume, be sure to convert it to PDF format. This will make your file reach the employer completely correct and unchanged.

3. Correct naming of the resume file

Be sure to use your own name in the file name. For example, instead of "resume", use "Sima Mohammadi's resume" so that the employer can easily identify your file.

4. Periodical update of resume

Review your resume regularly and add new experiences and skills you've acquired. This will make your resume always up-to-date and relevant to the current situation, and if needed, make the necessary changes.

Summary

Writing a professional resume may seem daunting, but the process can be an important first step in landing your ideal job. A good resume should be able to attract the employer's attention in the shortest possible time and encourage him to contact you.

If you find writing a resume a difficult task, you should know that there are several online tools that can help you. Many job search websites have provided facilities that you can use to create a professional resume easily and for free.
These tools provide you with pre-designed templates and necessary forms, which you can easily write a high-quality resume by entering your information.

If you decide to create a resume, you can create a professional and appropriate resume in a few minutes using the Karkojo resume builder tool. This tool allows you to easily enter your information and have an attractive and efficient resume.

If you have experiences or important tips in writing a resume that you think will help us, we will be happy to share your thoughts and experiences with us. Your contribution can help others in this way.