A résumé that stands out from the pile allows you to work in companies you dreamt of being a part of. So, what defines a shining résumé? Is it one that has all the information about you in one place? Or is it the most creative one? Well, what matters the most is grabbing the attention of the reader until the very end. Herein, we’ll discuss the elements to include and the mistakes to avoid.

Main elements
This word has French origins and translates to “a summary.” Such a document summarizes all your professional qualifications, including your education, relevant experience, and skills. Usually, a résumé is divided into five parts:

Basic details
The first part should include your first and last name, email address, and phone number so that the reader gets all the basic information at a glance. This section is written in a slightly bigger font.

Introduction
Gone are the days when you had to write down a statement or purpose in a separate document. Your résumé needs a concisely written professional summary to specify what you bring to the table.

Educational background
This section should be brief and crisp but shouldn’t lack vital details. It should contain your educational qualification and alma mater. Mention any special courses that you’ve got certification for.

Work experience
In this section, you should briefly list your relevant work experience. The work experience should encompass the previous places of employment, the years you worked in these places, your achievements, and key responsibilities.

Skill set
Here, you add all the relevant skills you possess for the job designation. The right blend of soft and hard skills is sure to set you apart from other candidates!

Biggest mistakes to avoid
A résumé might only be a piece of paper, but it holds incredible value. The job market is extremely competitive, and to get yourself ahead, you’ll need to steer away from making these mistakes:

Spelling and grammatical errors
Attention to detail and clear communication are the most basic skill sets essential for any job. If your résumé has even the fewest spelling and grammatical errors, you may find yourself in the rejected pile.

Not using keywords
Every résumé sent to an employer is scanned by a database that searches for the right keywords. When the software finds hits, your document immediately stands out. So always look for the keywords and use them as much as possible.

Lacking engagement
When any résumé is glanced at, the first element that comes to notice is the formatting. If the document is not properly formatted, it will automatically get rejected for not being easy on the eyes and lacking attention to detail.

Making a generic résumé
This mistake can be spotted from afar and is one of the biggest causes of rejection! The worst mistake you can make when applying for a job is sending out a résumé that is not connected to the job!

Avoid these mistakes at all costs. Now it is your turn to stand out and go after your desired job! Good luck!