Get a Job: Tips for Proofreading Your Resume
Most of us apply for jobs online and this means our resumes are often sent by email. We never see the person at the other end of the computer and they have no idea who we are either. That is why your job search resume plays a vital role in your ability to score a job interview and find a job. That is likely why you are searching the internet looking for free resume tips to help your job search. Here are some free resume tips for you that focus on proofreading to catchy any errors or mistakes.
Free Resume Tips: Print Your Resume
A job seeker like you should always have printed copies of their resume handy (you never know when you'll come across a good chance to apply for jobs in person). But, right now your goal is to focus on proofreading and reviewing a printed copy of your resume. For most people, it is a lot easier to find errors on a job search resume when seen on a printed document as opposed to a computer screen. Also, you can write notes in the sideline too to help improve your resume.
Free Resume Tips: Past Employment Dates
Dates are important and you want to double check all of them. Do not let a simple error make a hiring manger think that you outright lied just because your dates did not match up. Then focus on gaps in unemployment if you have any; find ways to fill in these gaps. Your job search goal is to not lie, but show that you weren’t sitting in jail or at home watching talk shows all day long. Include any freelance work or side projects you did even if you collected just a little bit of money on the side. Also, later include any volunteer positions you held during this time.
Free Resume Tips: Job Duties and Skills
If you were to describe every single little task that you performed you would need an entire page and that is just for one job! Don’t cut out important job skills or training to make your resume fit onto one page only. It if is one page, great. If it is longer, so be it. The key though is to not forget anything of great importance. Why don’t you grab a sheet of paper and write down each task that comes to mind? Now, compare that list to your current job search resume. Was everything important included? If not, add it now!
Free Resume Tips: Rid Your Resume of Fluff
We all view fluff differently. As mentioned previously, volunteer work can be used to explain a gap in employment on your resume. Relevant training classes, such as a typing class, should be included as well. You want to refrain from going too far back in time though. Lets say you are 40 years old. Being a member of your high school’s computer club is great, but that was almost 25 years ago! The only information you should include from this far back is high school and college.
Free Resume Tips: Look for Errors
By implementing the steps above, you should now have a job resume that is detailed (everything important was included). Now, it is time to focus on grammar and spelling. Use extra caution if you obtained a free resume template online. On some rare occasions, these templates disable spell check when pasted into Word. So rely on your best judgment and not just those little red lines that alert you to a misspelled word. Now is also a great time to ask a friend or family member to proofread your resume.
By implementing these tips, you now have a resume that showcases your professionalism, your job skills, and it highlights you as the perfect job candidate. If you haven’t already started, now is the time to start your job search. Good luck!
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