Polish Your Resume: 5 Tips for Job Search Success

-


Having a resume that stands out is essential in today’s competitive job market. A well-crafted resume goes beyond listing qualifications; it’s a personal marketing tool that showcases your strengths, achievements, and readiness to take on new challenges. From layout and language to highlighting achievements, the smallest details can make the biggest difference. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to polish your resume, these important tips can help you build a resume that will stand out to employers.

  1. 1. Maintain Consistency and Clean Formatting 

 

A well-organized resume should be easy to read and visually appealing. First, start with ensuring that each section of your resume is easily distinguishable using bottom borders (not drawings or objects) to underline each heading or section of your resume.


Next, maintain consistent spacing and balanced use of white space between each section and in each section when listing school, job, project, etc., to ensure a clean layout. Avoid using shading, columns, pictures, tables, text boxes, or headers on your resume.  


Tip: Use the Zicklin Graduate Resume Template for reference, which can be found in Handshake resources. 

 

Ensure consistency in abbreviations. For example, if you list “MS in Finance” use “BA” instead of “Bachelors of Arts” to maintain uniform formatting.


  1. 2. Present Your Experience Effectively 

 

When writing bullets under each experience on your resume use verb tense or action-oriented language. Avoid using first person pronouns such as “I”, “My”, “We”, etc. Also, avoid using unnecessary articles such as “a”, “the”, “and”, etc. 

 

When describing current experiences, use present tense and when describing previous experiences, use past tense. Organize all experiences on your resume from present to past, with most recent experiences at the top of each section. All date ranges on your resume should be aligned to the right margin and use the en dash for all date ranges, (–) instead of (-).


  2. 3. Understand Certificates vs. Certifications 

 

When including achievements on your resume, it is important to know the differences between Certifications and Certificates. Both can enhance your resumes by attesting to your credibility and industry knowledge. However, certifications such as a CFA carry more weight than certificates from online courses because they are often earned by passing a rigorous exam and demonstrate mastery. Certificates show that you have completed a course or program gaining basic knowledge of a specific subject. 

 

When listing either on your resume ensure to list them correctly and in the right section. For example, you may want to consider creating a separate section on your resume titled “Certifications & Professional Training” to list both certifications and certificates. You can also list your certificates or certifications in your “Education” section underneath your educational experiences. 


  2. 4. Tailor Your Resume to Stand Out 

 

Ensuring that your resume is aligned to the job you are applying for is a great way to stand out as an applicant. By tailoring your resume, you will demonstrate that you have carefully considered the role and how your skills align to the employer’s needs. This also ensures the relevance of the skills and qualifications highlighted in your resume.  

 

Start by analyzing the job description to identify key skills, qualifications, and responsibilities outlined by the employer. If you see an alignment with your skills, use your resume as an opportunity to demonstrate this compatibility.  

 

Use keywords from the job description in your resume and use your achievements, responsibilities, and experiences to emphasize transferable skills from previous experiences. This will ensure that your resume resonates with hiring managers and applicant tracking systems. In addition, this will help to establish you as a strong candidate.  


  1. 5. Proofread For Perfection 

 

Always make sure to proofread your resume to ensure there are no spelling, grammar, or formatting mistakes. Small errors on your resume can say a lot to employers about your attention to detail. Double check for small errors such as mismatched fonts, uneven spacing, and incorrect punctuation to maintain a polished resume.


Next, ask for a fresh perspective. New eyes can often catch details you may have missed. Having someone else review your resume can ensure it is flawless before submitting.  


Overall, maintaining a polished resume is very crucial to your job search and career readiness. Thus, it is important to have a well-organized and thoughtfully written resume that will showcase your career journey while highlighting your potential. A well-organized resume reflects your professionalism, attention to detail, and preparedness for the role you are applying to. Apply these tips to ensure your resume will make a great impression.


Need help? Click here to check out the GCMC's resume review services using Handshake:  

Baruch Handshake 

 

About the Author:


Chelsea Oppong is an undergraduate senior studying Industrial and Organizational Psychology in the Zicklin School of Business. She is also an assistant at the Zicklin Graduate Career Management Center. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Zicklin Graduate Student Shares Her Thoughts on ESG After Winning CohnReznick’s 2023 Gamechanger in ESG Awards

-
Image
Komal Khandelwal recently graduated from the Zicklin School of Business with a master's in finance . She was also an intern for Asp en Power, a solar energy company.   In early 2023, Komal Khandelwal received an email from the school about a program called CohnReznick’s Gamechanger in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Awards which, as stated on the program’s website, “recognizes U.S.-based organizations that are embracing environmental, social, and governance principles to drive value for their stakeholders and improve business resiliency.” The winners of the 2023 awards incl ude for-profit companies like Anterix and EDP Renewables North America, as well as non-profit companies like Eden Housing and Rethink Food.    The program also grants the NextGen Award to only one student who demonstrates a zeal for ESG and who plans to pursue a career in the field. The 2023 winner of this award was none other than our very own Zicklin Graduate student, Komal . In addi...
Read more

Student Perspectives: Crossing the Bridge That May Land You a Job

-
Image
  MS Finance ‘24 student, Taweepan Panyasantisuk, shared with the GCMC how being enthusiastic, networking, and making self-improvements led to and enhanced his internship experience. What has been one of the most important things you’ve learned at your internship? One of the most important things I have learned at my internship is to be enthusiastic. It is invaluable, especially when you are an intern. I discovered that I could learn fast and enjoy learning when I am enthusiastic and open to learning new skills, ask for more work, and ask questions. This attitude shows that you enjoy being part of the team and that you are keen to help. Having curiosity and enthusiasm also means that you get a lot out of what you are doing, which opens a lot of opportunities. How have you approached networking at your internship? Share any one specific example that has been impactful for you. Since my undergraduate years at Baruch, I learned the importance of networking. Attending many networking ...
Read more

Student Perspectives: Making the Most of a Summer Internship

-
MS Finance, Economics, and Financial Statement Analysis ‘24 student, Mrudula Satish Wagle, shared with the GCMC how she made the most of her summer internship, leading to a full time offer and a decision to pursue further education in finance. Agility is one of the most important things I have learned at my job. Adapting quickly and effectively to changing circumstances has been crucial in meeting the demands of a fast-paced work environment. This skill has allowed me to remain flexible and proactive in finding solutions, ultimately enhancing productivity and achieving optimal outcomes. Additionally, agility has enabled me to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and successfully navigate through various assignments. Networking at work is crucial for individual growth and career advancement. As a Summer Intern, I had the opportunity to build relationships with my colleagues, who were friendly and supportive. Constant interactions with them allowed me to understand various roles an...
Read more

Best Practices: Writing a Resume

-
Image
Your Resume: A Quick 2 min. Guide Our GCMC advisor Annie Himmelsbach walks you through how to write a well-crafted resume by discussing how to divide your sections, how to self-evaluate your goals and what to include (and exclude!) in each section. Note: Both active Zicklin Graduate students, and Zicklin Alumni are always welcome (lifetime courtesy!) to schedule an appointment at GCMC when they need assistance in writing, or to review and discuss further improvement on their resume (or career development). Call us at +1 646 312 1330 For more information on the GCMC visit: http://zicklin.baruch.cuny.edu/careers/
Read more

Student Perspectives: Being a Power Business Intelligence Engineer

-
MS Information Systems, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance '23 student Palak Wadel shared with the GCMC about her work as a Power BI Engineer at Wolfspeed, a semiconductor manufacturing company. What has been one of the most important things you've learned at your internship? One of the key lessons from my Wolfspeed internship is the vital importance of seamless data integration, particularly between SAP and Snowflake, and staying at the forefront of cybersecurity. My role in developing reports emphasized the practicality of integrating data sources for real-time decision- making. Additionally, engagement with the daily threat intelligence team exposed me to state-of-the-art cybersecurity tools like Sentinel and Defender, underscoring the significance of merging theoretical knowledge with practical cybersecurity applications. This experience has reinforced the need for a holistic approach to business intelligence and data security in today's digital landscape. How hav...
Read more