Your Resume is the first impression that any prospective employer has of you – so it is important to get it right. The information you provide must be accurate, realistic and positive, and be tailored to suit the particular role you are applying for. The following format provides a guide to information you should include.
Layout - Make sure your Resume is clearly laid out and presented using a consistent typeface throughout. In addition, do not be tempted to employ a fancy looking font – you will not win any brownie points with employers if they cannot read your Resume. Keep the Resume to a maximum of three pages. Many employers do not have the time or the inclination to dredge through pages and pages.
Personal Details - Always have your contact details at the top of the front page. This makes life a lot easier for your prospective employer when flicking through a pile of Resumes.
Interests - These will give employers a 'fuller' picture of you. Brief titles will suffice e.g. 'hill walking', ‘sailing’. These should be realistic and current as there is little to be gained from adding an interest that was a school or past activity.
Education Details - Should include secondary, higher and further education, including dates attended and qualifications gained.
Current Employment - Details including the name, location and dates employed with the company are important. If you have been promoted, changed roles or gained any particularly notable experience, make sure that this is highlighted at the beginning of the text. As much relevant detail as possible is important with regard to experience. Information regarding supervision, teamwork, training and development should also be outlined.
Past Employment - Brief details of any previous employment will again provide a fuller picture. Less detail is needed - company / dates, job title and a brief job description will suffice. List your previous employment / experience in reverse chronological order (beginning with the most recent post)
Experience - Always provide evidence of any claims you make. You do not necessarily have to draw on work experience; examples from any sphere of your life could work. For example – You are good at managing a budget as you have been the club treasurer of the netball club for two years.
Gaps - If there are any gaps i.e. time spent travelling, a year out etc, these too should be noted to ensure that no details are left uncovered. Make sure you also include your personal interests as this helps employers build up a broader picture of you as a person.
References - You do not need to include referees’ contact details but where possible make sure you say ‘references available on request’.
Seek professional help - Pass your Resume to a recruitment professional if you can, or at the very least to a friend who knows you, to make sure you are promoting yourself as well as you can.
Finally - Check, double check and check again for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. If you can, get a friend to check this as well.
Please feel free to contact us at Frontline Health with any recruitment requirements - we are here to help.