What is a Resume?
A resume is a formal document necessary when applying for a job. It states facts and information about you concisely, efficiently, and professionally. It is suggested that your resume shouldn’t be too long, consisting of irrelevant information.
Usually, a resume is accompanied by a cover letter, but it depends on what kind of job you’re applying for. You must tailor and customize your resume per the job requirements you’re applying for.
What is Resume Writing?
Resume writing is the process of drafting a resume. It is now a very famous field of expertise for many writers. You need to know what elements make your resume stand out and what takes away its shine. Thus, learning the skill of resume writing can be highly beneficial for all of us!
Characteristics of Resume Writing
Effective resume writing involves vital characteristics that help enhance your resume for the recruiter. Some of those characteristics are as follows:
Clarity:
Making things as easy as possible is essential for resume writing. Every detail you mention must be clearly stated and explained. Using words that are overly complicated or fancy fonts is a turnoff and affects your resume’s readability.
Conciseness:
Be to the point when writing descriptions. Avoid stuffing your draft by adding long sentences. Instead, use divided information in bullets, making the reading process easy and less time-consuming.
Customization:
Your resume must be created for the job you’re applying for. The best way to do it is by tailoring your document according to the job you wish to use for. For example, if you are applying for the manager position, your resume must highlight management and leadership skills.
Relevance:
During resume writing, it is essential to make sure that any data that is not related or irrelevant is eliminated. Your resume should only contain relevant details about you. Mentioning your religion or how many children you have will not make the recruiter consider you over other candidates.
Step-by-Step Guide for Resume Writing
Here are all the steps involved in the process of resume writing:
Gather Information:
The first step is to gather all the information. This will help you start with a clear mind, and you won’t have to fetch every other detail during writing. Lay everything before you, such as your school certificates and diploma. Make rough notes of details such as your contact information and skills.
Choose a Template:
Choosing a simple yet elegant template is always the right decision. Pick a template that will cater to your resume needs without making things look stuffy or complicated.
Choose a Format:
Depending on what areas you want to highlight, choose a resume format. Common formats include chronological (listing work experience in reverse chronological order), functional (emphasizing skills and qualifications over work history), and combination (a mix of both chronological and functional).
Write an Objective:
This part serves as a short summary of your achievements and everything you are willing to offer to the employer. Avoid making it too long or fancy. Stick with basic words and sentence structure, and do not overstate anything.
Add Contact Details:
Your contact details should include your mobile and residence number, email address (make sure it is nothing stupid like mysteriousmike467@gmail.com), and link to your social profile, such as LinkedIn. If, for any reason, you have changed your number or email, always update it on your resume right away!
Add Academic Information:
List your academic details, such as the name of your degree/diploma, the name of the institution you attended, and the year you graduated. Avoid adding any false details. Remember, honesty is the best policy!
Work Experience:
This part will highlight your professional employment experience. It would be best if you never lied about working in a company you never worked for.
Highlight Skills:
Luckily, most people look for skills over experience. This part of your resume must shine bright. Don’t hesitate and portray each and every skill you have. Whether it is a basic skill or top-notch, don’t skip anything!
Additional Achievements:
In this part of resume writing, you can add your achievements, such as winning a contest or getting any certification.
Proofread and Edit:
Always proofread and look for areas that need improvement. Once you spot the errors, edit them right away.
In this era, most of us have become dependent on AI tools. Many people now prefer to copy-paste for the sake of ease and time-effectiveness. On the other hand, some companies offer writing services such as book writing services, resume writing services, etc. Professional writers are responsible for curating important documents like resumes and cover letters. This gives rise to the debatable question of which resumes are better. Is it human-generated or AI-generated?
Difference between Human-Generated Resume and AI-Generated Resume
Pros of AI-Generated Resume:
- It is cost-effective because most AI tools are free, such as Chat GPT 3.5.
- The tone and writing styles of AI-generated resumes are consistent, making them a reliable and easy option for beginners.
- Time is a luxury that cannot be bought. AI-generated resumes are curated within no time.
- There are no typos or grammatical errors.
Cons of AI-Generated Resume:
- They are very straightforward, which means they lack human creativity and can be easily detected as bot-generated.
- The AI-generated resume may contain outdated information.
- Most AI-generated resumes are identical, which may decrease your chance of getting the job.
Pros of Human-Generated Resume:
- Anyone can tell which resume is human-generated based on its style, creativity, and customization.
- They are perfectly tailored depending on what job you are applying for.
- Human writers can dig deeper and probe for the right questions to highlight your skills.
- Only a human understands the nuances of human language and can look after minor subtle details.
Cons of Human-Generated Resume:
- May contain typos and grammatical inconsistencies.
- Writing is demanding, and human-generated resumes require more time and attention to detail.
- It is costly to hire a professional resume writer.
As listed above, both AI-generated and human-generated resumes have some pros and cons. As a writer, I believe that no matter how advanced AI will get, it can never outdo human creativity. Humans can feel and observe, and that’s what makes them different. We may make errors in our writing, but we can also rectify them. Thus, human-generated resumes will always be better.
FAQs
What is the difference between a resume and a CV?
A resume consists of relevant information, usually no longer than two pages. In comparison, a CV is much lengthier and includes all details of your academic and professional experience.
What is the standard format of resume writing?
There are three standard resume formats:
- Chronological: List work experience in reverse order.
- Functional: Highlight skills and qualifications over work history.
- Combination: Blend chronological and functional elements.
How long should a resume be?
A resume should be no longer than two pages.
