Improve Your Resume to Boost Your Job Prospects

Hoping to land the job of your dreams? Maybe you’re at the start of your career, or perhaps you’re looking to make a career change later on. Either way, you’ll need a CV to start with. What makes a good resume is that it helps you stand out from the recruitment crowd. To that end, you can always have a look at a service like https://www.arcresumes.com/local/illinois/ to help you write an excellent resume and push you in the right direction.
 
Though that said, you could write or edit a very strategic and successful resume on your own. It’s all about understanding what recruiters are looking for. Here are several elements to resume writing that could improve yours and make it the best it can be.

Recent education 

There’s a reason this is listed as ‘recent education’ and not just ‘education.’ Of course, any qualifications you can gain are fantastic, but a degree in a subject you’ve not returned to for over a decade will obviously hold less weight than something you’ve done in the past couple of years. Use this as a way to improve your skills, you don’t necessarily have to go back to university when it comes to continuing education. Sign up to an online college and take a couple of courses in subjects that are useful to what you want to do, even free courses will show an employer that you’re serious about improving your knowledge and education. This could be all you need to stand out compared to other, similar candidates. 

A driving license

Even if the job you want to do isn’t based around driving, having a license is still beneficial. Many jobs will require you to get around, or they might involve working hours or locations outside of public transport. Without a driving license, some employers might be skeptical of offering you the job, so if you don’t drive then make the effort to get that done. Having a license will benefit you in your everyday life as well as in your career search too, so it’s definitely worth doing. 

Hobbies that showcase your skills

It might seem strange when employers ask what your hobbies are, or to list hobbies on your CV, but there are good reasons for doing so. They help to showcase your skills in a different way. Don’t include every hobby and interest you have, but think about what will be relevant to the job you’re applying for and what that particular employer will be looking for. For example, if the job you’re applying for requires creativity then it’s worth mentioning that you enjoy art and writing. If the job requires logic and focus, you could mention your love of puzzles and chess. Don’t simply makeup hobbies that you don’t have, but think about the ones you do and others that interest you that you could startup. 

Voluntary work

Whether you’re aiming for a promotion or a total change of career, volunteering can help you to gain the skills that you need before an employer will accept you for a paid position. Getting a job can often feel like a catch 22 situation as in order to be considered for a role you need experience, but you can’t gain experience without being accepted. So voluntary work allows you to get around this. Other types of volunteering you could consider are working for a charitable cause, this shows a compassionate side to your personality and again is something that could help you to stand out from other candidates.

Hopefully these tips will help you write a very strategic and successful resume. 

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• Should We Go Back to Education Later in Life?
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