Hello,

I wanted to list a few tips on how to write a winning resume in English

(also known as a CV. I will refer to it as a resume in this article):

1. Try to make the resume fit into one page, especially if you’re under 35.

2. Try to avoid “holes” in employment periods on the resume or short employment assignments. Make an attempt to convey the message that you can stay in one organization for a few years.

3. Write your ‘assets’ on the top. For example, if you have more education under your belt than work experience, you should list that first. On the other hand, if you have more years of work experience than education, list that first.

4. If you’ve worked for well-known and respected companies, make sure it’s emphasized in the resume (make the font of the company larger and perhaps even in bold).

5. Don’t overload the resume with information. A resume has to look neat and organized. It’s better to have a neat resume with a little less information, than a resume overloaded because you decided to list everything you’ve ever done.

6. Be consistent throughout the resume. For example, if you used bullets under the education section, you should also use bullets for the other sections. Stay consistent with font types, sizes, alignment, etcetera.

7. Try to avoid listing information that is not so relevant for the position you’re applying for. For example, don’t add “Diving License” if the position does not require one.

8. When writing for American eyes, avoid listing personal information, such as age, sex, or family status.

One final tip is to try the “five-minute rule” with a friend:

1. Enlist a friend to help you, and ask them to come over.

2. Tell them you’re going to show them your resume for a few seconds and ask them what they remember from the resume.

3. Show the resume to your friend for only five seconds, and then take it away from them.

4. Ask them what they remember from the resume.

If the friend remembers the things that you wish the recruiter to remember about you when reviewing your resume, you’ve succeeded. If the friend doesn’t remember the important points, then perhaps you should make a few changes in the resume. What’s the point of this exercise? The point is that recruiters have very little time for reviewing the resumes of potential candidates. It is, therefore, crucial to catch their attention within a few seconds in order to make them want to read more.

A resume is a marketing document and should be seen as such. One should write a resume that is clean, concise, and emphasizes the points that are most important for you to convey to a potential recruiter.

I would love to hear about interesting or weird resume stories you’ve had.

Good luck.

 

Mr. Miron Abramson

Add-Vantage

Miron Abramson is the founder and senior consultant of Add-Vantage, a company that supports people and organizations with their business interactions with international partners overseas. You can visit them on the web at http://addvantage.co.il, or contact Mr. Abramson at miron@addvantage.co.il.