The success of your job depends on the correctness of your resume. Secrets, tips, nuances - read on and conquer career heights!

How to write a resume in English

A good resume is a must for the job search, especially when there are many applicants for the same position. What should it say?

There is no perfect resume template, and different situations may require you to emphasize different aspects of your resume, whether it is education or work experience. If you are writing a resume for a specific job, it should be written specifically for that position.

Read five or six similar ads and compare the requirements in them, or try to compose one with a resume writing service. Do some research to see what employers need.

If you are just looking for a job and send your resume to employment agencies, then it should be as detailed as possible.

Anyway, there are some general rules and principles of how the resume should be written and what information it should include.

First of all, it should be short - no more than two A4 pages, preferably numbered.

It should clearly and objectively describe your achievements and strengths and create a positive impression of you.

So, let's take a look at what a resume should include:

Title

It should be noted that in Britain the CV is called the curriculum vitae (CV), Latin for "course of life. In the U.S. and Canada, the CV is more commonly used in academia and is a truly detailed and comprehensive description of the candidate's professional life. The term résumé is used for a regular CV.

Personal details

Be sure to include your name, address and contact information - phone, email.

It is up to you to specify your gender, age, marital status, and nationality. The employer should assess your skills and abilities without this information.

Objective

Indicate which position you are applying for, with a code (if available), for example: Software Tester (ST15/4).  

Profile / Summary

Describe your strengths - skills, personal qualities, achievements, work experience (briefly). Here you can also specify your career goals (in the U.S. they pay a lot of attention to this point).

The reference should not take more than a few lines and be immediately eye-catching. For example, if the position requires constant work with people, you can indicate that you know how to work in a team and have good communication skills. Be succinct - you can give examples in the sections that follow.

Employment history / Work experience

If you have a lot of experience, start with this section. If you don't have enough experience yet, write about your education first.

It is recommended that you start with your most recent job and work backwards. Include the name of the organization, the period of employment, your position, and your main responsibilities. Describe in detail the work that is relevant to your current position, give examples of how your skills have been applied, and mention accomplishments. Use bulleted lists for easy reading.

Try to emphasize the relevance of your skills and experience to the job opening. Also mention any temporary or volunteer work, if relevant.
Avoid unexplained gaps in your employment history. If you have been traveling for a long time, were on a job search, or took care of a relative, indicate this.

Education

Similarly, start with the last one and work backwards. List the schools, colleges, and universities you attended, the dates you received your degrees and/or diplomas. Mention any work-related seminars, training, or continuing education courses. Use a bulleted list or a table for layout.

You can also describe your work-related hobbies, interests, and accomplishments here, but this is optional.

Interests and achievements

For example, if you are a member of a club or society, it might show that you like meeting new people. Don't write that you like cooking or reading books - these are too general hobbies that are of no interest to the employer. Only write specific and important things.

Additional information

You can include this section in your resume if you need to add something else, such as explaining a big break in employment due to travel or family reasons. You can also include other skills that might be useful, such as being able to drive a car or speak a foreign language.

References

Identify people who can give you a reference. It is desirable that at least one of them be related to your previous job. If you have not worked anywhere else, list a teacher or someone who has supervised you through an internship.

If you don't want to give out other people's contact information right away, you can just say: References: available upon request.

Formalizing your resume

The layout of your resume plays a huge role. It should be simple, clean, and from the first second, make you look like a professional. Use a standard, easy-to-read font and a clear breakdown into sections. The style should be consistent throughout.

Check and double-check that the text you have written is correct. Spelling and grammatical errors are the quickest way to get rejected.

In addition to your resume, it is recommended to write a cover letter to help you attract the employer's attention. In this letter, state why you are interested in this particular vacancy, give brief information about yourself, and describe your advantages as a candidate. The letter should not exceed half a page.

Good luck!