Creating a truly professional and unbeatable resume is certainly a very challenging task, but you can make it easier if you pay attention to several golden rules. For instance, the ideal CV should not be longer than two pages – statistically speaking, recruiters spend between six and ten seconds for screening the applicant’s resume, this is why it is crucial to stick to the essential information only.

Besides the obvious tips, such as using a formal language, adding references and mentioning your previous experience, there are several other aspects that you must take into account, if you want your resume to stand out from the crowd. Having said that, here are seven useful tips on how to make a resume:

1. Make Sure To Use Reverse Chronological Order
The first thing you need to remember when writing your resume is that the recruiter will read it from top to bottom – this is why it is paramount to list your most recent job first, and then work your way backwards. Same applies to your training and education: list your latest degrees and achievements first, and work your way back to lower elementary school.

2. Company Descriptions Are A Big Plus
This is by far one of the best pieces of advice that you can get for writing an unbeatable, impeccable resume. Make sure to include a brief (three to four phrases, at most) description for each company you have previously worked for, as this will look very good on the resume and will make the recruiter give you extra points for it.
Everybody loves people who do their homework and who show genuine interest in organizational culture. Besides this, you do not need to write an in-depth, comprehensive description of the company you used to work for – you can even rewrite a couple of lines from the company’s website.
Remember that in the end, it is all about sending a message: the right one. You will never get a second chance to make a good first impression, and recruiters receive tens of applications on a daily basis. At the same time, make sure to tailor and adjust the description of the previous companies based on your own professional goals.

3. Don’t Get Lost In Translation
One of the most common mistakes people make when building their resume is that they get lost in translation: they focus too much on percentages, statistics and numbers, when they should focus more on telling (short) stories and compiling the information in such a manner that it appeals to the reader, in this case the recruiter. Numbers are dull, phrases are catchy!

4. Quantify Your Most Notable Achievements
Your previous professional achievements can make or break your entire resume, this is why it is important to focus only on the most notable ones and to wrap them up beautifully. Also, don’t forget to quantify your contributions as well – do not focus too much on the final result, but make sure to detail how you achieved it, and remember to format all your accomplishments in a result-cause fashion.

5. Stick To The Classic Layout
Less is the new more, and this golden rule certainly applies to resumes as well: try to stick to the traditional layout and font. Remember to use 12-point size Times New Roman. Try to avoid using italics and underlining too much, as this will only make your resume harder to read, and your main goal is to make it as appealing as possible, not otherwise.

6. Link The Resume To Your Online Profile – And Manage Your Online Presence
One of the most overlooked aspects when it comes to building your resume is managing your online presence. As you may know already, four out of five recruiters will Google their applicants on the Internet before denying or accepting their request, and the last thing you want is to have your application rejected because of your unprofessional Facebook profile. Nonetheless, having a professional LinkedIn profile is paramount these days, therefore make sure to include the URL to your profile alongside your contact information.

7. Become Familiar With The Terminology
Last, but not least, if you are pursuing a certain career then make sure to become familiar with the terminology and the most commonly used key phrases in that industry. You will come off as knowledgeable and seriously interested in that position, which means you will be given even more credit during the (brief, yet intense) screening and recruiting process!