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What are the most important aspects of a resume?

I have started a resume with a template but haven't filled everything out yet.

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Subject: Career question for you

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James Constantine’s Answer

Dear Joyce,

Essential Elements of a Successful Resume

A well-crafted resume is a vital tool for job seekers, as it forms the initial impression for prospective employers. Here are the key elements to focus on when building your resume:

1. Contact Information Start your resume with your contact details, comprising:

Full name
Telephone number
Email address
LinkedIn profile (optional, yet advisable)
Location (city and state)

Ensure these details are current and professional. Preferably, your email address should incorporate your name.

2. Professional Summary or Objective This segment gives a concise summary of your qualifications and career aspirations. A professional summary showcases your skills and experience pertinent to the job you're seeking, while an objective statement reflects your career goals. Customize this section to match the job description.

3. Work Experience The work experience section is typically the most significant part of a resume. It should encompass:

Job title
Employer's name
Location (city and state)
Employment dates (month and year)
Bullet points outlining your duties and accomplishments

Use dynamic verbs to depict your achievements and, where feasible, quantify outcomes (e.g., "boosted sales by 20%").

4. Education Detail your educational history, including:

Degrees earned
Major(s) or field(s) of study
Names of institutions
Graduation dates

If you have pertinent coursework or honors, consider including them, particularly if you're early in your career.

5. Skills Incorporate a skills section that enumerates both hard and soft skills relevant to the job you're seeking. Hard skills could involve technical abilities or certifications, while soft skills might include communication, teamwork, or problem-solving skills.

6. Additional Sections Depending on your background and the job prerequisites, you might want to include extra sections such as:

Certifications: Relevant certifications can bolster your qualifications.
Volunteer Experience: This can illustrate dedication and additional skills.
Projects: Emphasize significant projects that exhibit relevant experience.

7. Formatting and Design A well-structured layout improves readability:

Employ clear headings for each section.
Maintain consistent font sizes (usually 10–12 points).
Use bullet points for easy scanning.

Steer clear of excessive graphics or colors unless you're in a creative field where such elements might be suitable.

8. Tailoring Your Resume Lastly, customize your resume for each job application by integrating keywords from the job description into your resume. This not only aids in passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) but also shows that you've taken the time to comprehend the role.

By concentrating on these key elements, you can construct a persuasive resume that effectively highlights your qualifications and enhances your prospects of securing an interview.

Top 3 Credible Sources Used in Answering this Question

1. The Balance Careers This source offers extensive guidance on resume writing best practices, including in-depth explanations of each section's function and tips for effectively customizing resumes.

2. Harvard Business Review HBR provides insights into contemporary hiring practices and underscores the significance of personal branding through resumes, along with strategies for making resumes stand out in competitive job markets.

3. Indeed Career Guide Indeed's guide outlines the crucial components of resumes with practical examples and advice tailored to various industries, assisting candidates in effectively presenting their experiences.

Probability the answer is correct: 95%

Best Wishes,
JC.
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Dwight’s Answer

Resumes need to express everything you accomplished in life. Explain the good and the bad. Try to be as accurate about schools, jobs, training, certificates and more. A time line of success.

Dwight recommends the following next steps:

tell about yourself
what you like to do your accomplishments.
high school and college or just high for a job.
elementary all the way to 12th grade is basically a overall resume but called a transcript.
all you will need in todays life and future trust me.
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