How to write a resume

1. How to write an effective
résume?
Shikha Sota

2. It’s important!
• A simple Google search gives 51,900,000 results for “How
to write an effective resume?”
• Like millions of products available in the marketplace,
millions and even more candidates are also available in the
“marketplace”
Shikha Sota

3. It’s important!
• It’s the first meeting between YOU & the employer
• Goal of a resume is to gain you an interview!
• Acts as a reminder when interviewer is done interviewing
Shikha Sota

4. The layout
• Layout is very important as its similar to
garnishing the food!
• Looks/aesthetics matter
• No ugly resume
• One page, at the most two pages
Shikha Sota

5. Are there any rules?
• Yes! Yes! Yes!
• KISS
Keep it short & simple
• Only include relevant information
• No typing errors
• Do not include any negative information
Shikha Sota

6. Some don’ts
• Avoid acronyms
• Never use pronouns such as: “I”, “me”, “my”,
“our”
• No fancy fonts, pictures, e-mail IDs, layouts
• Avoid graphics
• Don’t use capital letters
Shikha Sota

7. Some don’ts
• Don’t use colored/fancy backgrounds
• Avoid using bold excessively
• Don’t use italics, underline
• Do not lie and exaggerate
• Don’t use difficult words
• Don’t write religion, political affiliations
Shikha Sota

8. Contents
Shikha Sota

9. Contact information
• Includes name, Address, e-mail Id and contact
number
• Right at the top or extreme bottom as footnote
• Be crisp and clear
Shikha Sota

10. Career objective
• Ctrl C + Ctrl V = Big NO
• No melodramatic & fairy tale line
• First know what your long term career objective is
and then pen it down
• Focus on “What you can do for the company”
rather than “What company can do for you.”
Shikha Sota

11. Career experience/history
Includes
•Organizations you have worked with
•Job profile
•Responsibilities
•Achievements
•Time frame
Shikha Sota

12. Career experience/history
• Avoid writing at length
• The order is recent to oldest
Shikha Sota

13. Qualification
• Degree
• College/University
• Percentage/ CGPA
• Other qualifications
• Recent to oldest
Shikha Sota

14. Hobbies/interest
• Be 100% sure
• Be specific
Shikha Sota

15. Words matter!
• Be very careful with words/language
• Be formal
• No slangs
Shikha Sota

16. It takes time
• Rome was not built in a day
• You need to re-draft
Shikha Sota