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How to create a winning resume, even if your experience is not required



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You should not focus on your experience if you don't have it. Instead, highlight your skills and related side projects and include a strong cover letter with your resume. You should keep your resume as brief as possible with no more that five bullets per part. A lengthy document is unlikely to be read by recruiters so keep it short and to the point.

Format

It is important to format your resume correctly when creating it. Here are some formatting guidelines to help you make a winning CV. First of all, make sure that your headings are at level 1. If you are using Microsoft Word, you can add headings automatically by pressing alt + control + 1.


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Layout

The layout of a resume should highlight work experience and skills. It should follow the same order as a functional resume but the experience section should be more detailed. Contact information should include your name, address and email. Include your website. Your resume objective should include your career goals and skills. The skills section should include a list of skills and a one or two-sentence description of each.

Soft and hard skills should be combined

Hard skills are essential abilities that are needed to perform a job. These skills are acquired through training, certification or experience. Soft skills, however, are subjective and harder to measure. An example of a software developer would be expected to master Microsoft Excel and Photoshop. Music teachers might also need to know how to play the piano, and what teaching methods to use.


Avoid cliches

Resume cliches refer to overused phrases on resumes that do little to add value. Some examples of these phrases are "team player", "hardworking" and others. Avoiding too many clichés could make you seem generic and desperate. Rather than focusing on your achievements, describe them in terms of how they contribute to the team and the organization.

Include high school diploma

When creating a resume, include a high school diploma if you have one. Employers will often verify education information on resumes, so it's best to keep it true. If you don't have a high school diploma, make sure to include your GPA. You can also add honors and awards from high school.


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Avoid long employment gaps

It's natural to worry about the impact of long employment gaps on your resume, but you can manage this concern by developing your skills and staying actively engaged in your work. Consider taking classes, attending workshops, and obtaining new certifications. Even volunteering can prove useful. It will show potential employers that you care about the community and are relevant for the position you're applying for.


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How to create a winning resume, even if your experience is not required