by Philip Lop

Created on: November 17, 2011   Last Updated: February 16, 2012

A good resume is one of the strongest tools in your job-hunting portfolio. What could otherwise be seen as a simple piece of paper is in actual fact a critical marketing tool, which promotes your capabilities and achievements to a prospective employer.

The ability to develop a great resume is a skill like any other, which improves over time. There are a number of areas to consider, however, which can greatly increase the likelihood that your resume will shine.

Getting the basics right

While there are lots of different ways to produce a great resume, some basic principles exist. Brevity is vital. Aim for no more than two pages in length. Remember that every word counts, so you will need to learn to write concisely, using strong keywords. Use a simple, professional font and eliminate typos and grammar errors. Proof reading is vital. Ask for help from others if necessary.

Structure and layout

Ensure that your resume follows a clear structure. Use bold font for headings and track your experience and achievements in reverse chronological order. Most employers will be interested in your most recent experience, so the amount of detail required decreases according to the time since you worked in a particular role.

Great headline summary

Your headline summary should form one paragraph that explains what you have done, what you are capable of and what you are looking to do next. This is often the most attention-grabbing part of the document, so ensure that this reflects the key words that are relevant to the sort of roles that you intend to apply for.

Focus on achievement and impact

Every element of your career experience must reflect on what you achieved and what the impact of this was. Achievement should be demonstrated through strong actions, so, for example, talk about things you designed, controlled, delivered and improved. Impact is best expressed in financial terms. How much did you save the business or how much income did you generate?

Transferable skills

Your resume should be adaptable to as many roles as possible and should include a balance of role-specific skills, alongside skills that can be transferred to any business. Organizational skills, time management and leadership experience can be applied to nearly any role. Do not represent your career history in a way that appears too specialized.

Avoiding buzzwords

Avoid the perils of stuffing your resume full of tired business buzzwords and clichés. Everybody will say that they are a ‘team player’.

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