5 Ways to Make Your Resume Stand Out
Over the past few months, many people who had solid, steady jobs have found themselves unemployed. As things start to open back up and people get back to work, many people are now looking for new jobs. Advastar is an oil and gas staffing company. We help connect companies with those who are seeking jobs. On our website, we have a list of current job openings that you can sort by category, location, and work type so that you can find exactly what you are looking for. The first step to applying for a job is creating a professional resume. There’s a good chance that your resume is outdated and could use a good cleanup! Read on to learn about 5 ways to make your resume stand out and look more professional.
Use Templates
First and foremost, when creating a resume, use a template. There is no reason why you should be starting from scratch, trying to create the perfect format for your resume. Websites like indeed.com and myperfectresume.com offer free templates for people to use. In addition, Microsoft Word offers some good resume templates well. Once you have your template, it is time to begin filling in everything from your address to your previous jobs! Don’t worry if you feel lost about what you should add to your resume; the pre-designed templates will help guide you when it comes to which information to share. Also, resumes should typically only be a page long. Resumes that are stapled or printed front and back are usually considered too long and don’t look as professional.
Use Standard Font – Size 10-12
Nothing screams unprofessional like using a crazy font in a color other than black. When it comes to unique fonts and colors, save that for your social media! Resumes should have a standard font that is easy to read. Arial and Times New Roman are two safe choices. The font should also always be black. In addition, the size should be between 10-12. You may find yourself wanting to go smaller than 10 in order to cram more words on the page, but this is not a good idea! Anything that is smaller than 10 is hard to read, and anything larger than 12 is just too big and unprofessional.
Divide into Sections
Another way to keep your resume organized and professional is by dividing it into sections. The template you choose will most likely guide you in creating these sections. This is a way to guide the viewer’s eyes as they look through your resume. Instead of having your work experience and awards all mashed together, these should each have their own section. Here are some ideas of sections that you can put on your resume:
- Education
- Skills
- Work Experience
- Objective
- Awards/Recognitions
- Certifications
- Contact Information
- Professional Summary
Of course, you don’t have to include all of these sections on your resume. Just include what makes sense for you and the oil and gas jobs that you are seeking. Having sections with clear headings and subheadings will make your resume a lot easier to read and will help it stand out to potential employers.
Include URLs to Provide More Information to Our Oil and Gas Staffing Company
Another way to make you resume look professional and stand out is to add URLs. The URLs can provide your future employer with ways to learn more about you outside of your one-page resume. Here are some links that you might want to include on your resume:
- Your professional website
- Your blog
- Any relevant social media platforms that you have (ex: LinkedIn, Twitter)
- Links to relevant career articles about you
- Your email address for communication purposes
- Online work portfolios
These are just a few examples of links that can be included on resumes. The general rule of thumb when it comes to links is to only link to things that are professional and will help increase your chances of getting the job you are applying for. If you decide to include these links on your resume, review the content on each link shared. Double check to make sure everything on those links shows you in a positive light and is professional.
Most Recent Jobs/Accomplishments First
Another tip for making your resume look professional is to include your most recent jobs and accomplishments first. Then display the rest of your jobs/accomplishments in reverse chronological order. As you get older it is appropriate to write where you received your education, but unnecessary to list out every award you got in college or every club you were in. When listing out past jobs, be sure to include the job title, a description of what you did, any noteworthy accomplishments, and the dates that you held the job. Often employers look to your past jobs to see if you have relevant experience that is related to the job you are applying to.
A professional resume is the most important thing to have when applying to jobs. This is the first thing employers lay their eyes on. They see this piece of paper before they meet you in person. Use the resume to show off your skills, experience, and professionalism. At Advastar, an oil and gas staffing company, we look through many resumes to help companies with staffing. We are always on the lookout for professional resumes that show us that a candidate is a good fit for one of our job openings. On our website, you can search for job openings and submit your resume. We have a lot of experience helping job seekers get the jobs of their dreams. Remember, it all starts with a professional resume. For more information about resumes and current job opportunities, contact Advastar today.