Writing a resume or cv package can be hard. When the job market is full of opportunity, as in Guyana, recruiters receive loads of submissions from would-be candidates. While many clamour for the coveted position, there are a couple things you should be aware of when crafting your resume.
If you want to be shortlisted do this:
• Keep your resume fresh with a cool yet minimalist style template. Take advantage of visual indicators such as graphs, icons, and charts to map your experience and skills.
• Keep it down to one page. You may be tempted to add every detail of your professional career or education but employers are not looking for that, necessarily. Show them relevance. Only highlight job history that is most relevant to the post to which you are applying.
• Details! Details! Details! Pay attention to the details such as typos, contact information, and spelling of your employer’s business name. In cover letters and resumes, errors tend to stand out as if they were written in red! Have a friend look over your documents before you submit.
• Consider updating your LinkedIn profile to match the content in your resume and cv. You can also launch a landing page with a custom web link identifying your personal brand.
To be seriously considered for the job, don’t do this:
• Don’t include language that can alienate your interviewer. Avoid cliches and jargon. Reduce the use of opinion led thoughts too – keep your views impartial in resumes and cover letters and only present facts/ data.
• Don’t spend too much time on the design. You don’t want to distract from the information you are presenting. Visuals are good but stay away from photos, multiple and electric colours, and excess flourish in your design (unless you are a graphic designer, this is not acceptable).
• Don’t forget to include a proper note in your email! If you are submitting your resume and cv via email, be sure to include a short and introductory note. Be pleasant and to the point. Highlight the job position you are applying for in the subject line. Don’t repeat the content of your cover letter here either because you don’t want to be repetitive.
• Don’t send a word doc. Always PDF or format your documents in a non-editable format before sending. You should always assume that your user does not have the same editing software or operating system as you. If their computer differs from yours it can interfere with the formatting that you’ve worked so hard on.
Guyanese and Trinidadian employers are looking for the extra edge in candidates. Interviewees need not feel uneasy about the tasks associated with the recruitment process but rather empowered. Once you know the do’s and don’ts, you can expect stellar results in the long term.
