When a company is open for hiring, it is a very rare occasion that you are the only one who is going to apply for the job. Often times, there will be hundreds of would-be employees that, like you, aim for the vacant position. And although your qualifications may over-the-top, there will still be other individuals who possess the same competence. This highlights the fact that you need to stand out. In this regard, it is a must that you know how to make a resume that will enable you to win over the crowd.

A resume is a document that presents an overview of your capabilities and skills as an individual thus it is important that you understand its purpose. Keep in mind that it is a way to advertise and promote yourself so be sure that you make it in such a way that it presents you as the best option the company have. Take note that this piece of paper is your vehicle to securing a job, and it can make or break your career.

When writing one, always bear in mind what the company will be looking for in an applicant. Do away with your high school or college achievements since academic achievements don’t really matter in the real world. What matters are the set of skills that will make you an asset to the company. Among these traits would be your listening and communication skills, ability to work under pressure, reliability, dedication, and initiative.

Also, be sure to make it easy to read. Forget about gimmicks and present your resume in a professional manner. Studies show that most of the time, companies don’t favor or trust resumes that are printed on colored paper, in 3D, or those which have unusual or too many fonts. Remember to keep it simple but at the same time interesting enough to grab attention.

Another thing you should do is to come up with a good style. Normally, resumes are written in third person but you can also explore other point of views. What is important in this, however, is you make sure you get the tenses and the grammar right. Remember that you are marketing yourself through this document so be sure that you come across as someone who is both intellectual and skilled.

And while on the process of writing, decide on how you will position the contents. In most cases, applicants tend to use a chronological order of their accomplishments to highlight their improvements throughout the years. But if you are a frequent job changer, using this positioning will make you appear unreliable and incognizant. Your best option will be to focus on your skills and list down your accomplishments in order of importance so that recruiters will be looking on what you can do than what you have done.

Lastly, be careful in what you are going to put in your resume. Avoid putting too much information especially those which are not required. Unless you have a considerable number of job experiences, it will be safe to limit your resume to not more than two pages. The assumption, however, that a resume should not go beyond one and a half pages is a mere theory so don’t be afraid if you have one that is more than two pages.

But more than the knowledge on how to make a resume, the real key to landing a job is honesty. It may be a simple trait but companies need employees that they can trust. So when applying for a job, be sure that you don’t inflate or exaggerate your achievements because this might burn your chance of getting your dream job.