Create a relevant Resume

The resume has been around for a long time and will continue to be one of the main sources of informational history a potential employer will ask you for, so let's ensure that it is full of information that is both relevant to work and helpful in securing you the right position.

A resume doesnt need to be more than an A4 page. A singular sheet is more than enough space for the information your potential employer would like to see. Less really is more when it comes to a resume, as the body of words that usually occupy a resume are often without enough context for the reader to make any use of them - so, say goodbye to lengthy resumes and lets get into what actually matters.

What to add

Contact Details

At the top of your resume you should put all of your contact details, and your ideal contact times. You probably already have a job and a call during your working hours would be stressful, not to mention that it's a little unprofessional.

Make it as easy as possible for your potential employer to notify you of an interview time, your successful application or simply to ask you further questions.

Your full name, your email address, phone number with +XX area code, address and ideal contacting times should be at the top of your resume.

Languages Spoken

In this day and age most places are largely international, and often even multi-cultural, so having an understanding of a second, third or even fourth language is an asset. Write down what level you speak honestly. The truth always comes out.

Working History

This section is often vague, lacking information and lacking context. This is also the most important section of your resume for a postion that is being hired for based on experience. Like we just mentioned, the truth always comes out, so be honest with your working history.

The essential elements for this section are:

1. Name and location of workplace
2. Duration of time worked
3. Contact details for reference
4. Level of accountability, responsibility or authority
5. Reason for leaving this workplace

An employer is going to read your resume and try to create a picture of who you are. So, who are you? You are a product of your past, that's what you are. The future and your aspirations for it can be written in your cover letter (different to a resume) so try to put only past and factual information in your resume.

It is important to add references for each previous employer. If you do not, it looks like you are chosing to only add places that you feel confident will talk highly of you, which is completely understandable but dishonest. If you want an honest employer, you should be an honest employee.

Availability

If you are only looking for a part time job because you want to study another language, or are still in school, write it down. If you are looking for full time work, 5 days per week and are ready to start immediately, write it down. If you are looking for 1 day per week to suppliment your current income, you guessed it.

Going that extra mile

Personality Type

A lot of employers are now getting into the psychology side of hiring as they are learning that bias plays too big of a role in hiring usually, and that experience is not everything. If you have a spare 20 minute, do a free Myer Briggs test online and get your results. Read them, assess the results and note down your traits - both positive and negative. Remember, the truth always comes out.

What not to add

Picture of yourself - Do not add this. It creates bias and you should not be getting employed on your looks.

Hobbies - Unless you do something out of the ordinary you can leave this out, as everyone writes the same thing.

Skills that are completely irrelevant - This should be an obvious one. If it has nothing to do with the place you're applying to work at it's a red flag that you're already not making any effort.