Top tips for an outstanding resume structure

Writing a resume is not an easy task and is definitely not something to be underestimated. According to a study released by The Ladders, employers look at resumes for only six to seven seconds. This, together with the fact that reading your CV will form your future boss’ first impression of you are only two of the reasons why you should put in the work and develop a piece that stands out from the crowd. So, where do you start?

Here at Vivo Talent, we work with hundreds of CVs every day and we can definitely tell you that the structure of your resume can be the deciding factor that will make an employer stop and evaluate your experience further. That is why we have developed a list with top tips that you can use to your advantage.

1. Tailor your “Personal Statement” to the job that you are applying for

The personal statement is the place where you can emphasise your most notable achievements and convince the employer that you are the right candidate for the job. Begin by answering the question “Who am I?”, highlighting your personal and professional strengths and stating your current role. You can then add your main fields of experience and point out some of your greatest professional accomplishments, finishing up with your career goals that align with the opportunity you are applying for.

Keep in mind: Remember to include numbers and precise results, that will clearly illustrate your capabilities and skillset.

2. Maintain one framework for your “Employment History”

Creating a clear structure for your experience and sticking to it is another important factor that you should take into account. It will not only help the employer follow your history more easily, but will also create the impression that you are a well-organised and detail-oriented person (which is an important asset to any job).

You should organise this section in reverse-chronological order (starting with your most recent job) and include positions that are most relevant to the opportunity that you are applying for (that is if you have a lot of experience in different unrelated fields, for example). What we have found to be one of the working frameworks here is starting with your position, company, location and dates first, followed by your responsibilities and achievements.

3. Include certificates and qualifications in your “Education” section

Apart from stating your school, college and university degrees (again starting with the most recent ones), you can utilise this section fully by putting some relevant certificates and other notable qualifications that you have obtained throughout the years. This will show the employer that you are a person who values their personal and professional development and it could definitely win you some points in the evaluation process.

Keep in mind: You can also add certificates and courses that you are currently undergoing, (especially if they are well-known and related to the job opportunity) as long as you state that in the resume.

4. Use the “Hobbies and Interests” section to your advantage

Although this section is not a must in your resume, it can help you solidify the skills which you have noted in your resume and make your personality shine through. If you want to achieve that a good starting point would be to put interests of yours that are developing you either personally or professionally in the area that you want to advance in. Here you could also add any volunteering work or personal projects that you have taken up and boost them with achievements and goals that you have obtained.

It might take some time for you to structure your resume, but following those top tips will definitely up your game and bring you one step closer to getting the job that you want.

Contact us if you have any questions and keep an eye out for our next blog that will give you some more insight into developing an outstanding resume.