Resume tips I have learned as a Recruiter at one of the Big 5 IT companies (targeted towards fresh graduates and young professionals).
A thread:
1. Your resume should be saved in PDF FORMAT. If you submit in word format, it WILL get messed up and be hard to read. Save it as a PDF or don't waste your time formatting.
2. You should tailor your resume to the job you are applying to, and change key words to match those you see in the job description to assist AI in searching. Jobs get over a thousand applications most of the time, and AI is used to pare down.
3. You resume should always be under a page unless you have at LEAST 7+ years of experience. A resume is to get an INTERVIEW, not a job. Think about what info you need to include to get recruiters interested enough to give you a call.
4. Unless you have a unique objective statement, don't include one. We know your objective is to get an internship/job. That's why you're applying.
5. Unless you have a first class, don't include it. The only thing it does is discount you and lower your chances of being selected over higher GPA candidates.
6. Don't put your job responsibilities, focus on what you have accomplished, and things you can quantify. If you worked in retail, don't put "assisted customers," instead say something like "assisted 60+ customers per day, praised by management for excellent service"
7. For the love of GOD include your graduation date. If recruiters have to guess when you graduate, you won't get hired. Don't put 2016-present. We don't know how long you are going to take please please please put your graduation date.
8. Save your resume as your Surname and first name, not resume. When its saved on your computer, its the only resume. When it is saved on mine, it is Resume (83) and I will never be able to find it.
9. Don’t spend too much time worrying about “the right” CV template. As long as you use one that has clear headings & a structure that’s easy to follow. Focus on content because that's what you’ll be evaluated on. Avoid too much colors and creativity on it.
10. Remove your picture, date of birth, religion, gender, state of origin, and nationality. Nobody needs that information.
Bonus tip: Don't waste your time on a cover letter unless you have the name and email of the hiring manager/recruiter, and can send it to them directly. Cover letters should be unique to each position, so don't waste your time unless you are CERTAIN someone will read it.
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