Maximize Your Impact: What to include and what to skip on your resume

n today's competitive job market, a well-designed CV can make the difference between getting a job opportunity and being left out of the selection process. At Hays, we understand that crafting a resume strategically is essential not only for candidates, but also for business leaders looking to quickly identify top talent.

An effective resume should be clear, concise, and relevant, highlighting the candidate's most important qualifications and experience and omitting unnecessary or irrelevant information. In this article, we'll explore how to maximize the impact of your CV, including practical tips on what to include and what to omit, and the importance of customising your CV for each job application.

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Strategic vision: What to include and what to skip

Creating a resume should be seen as a personal marketing strategy, where every detail is carefully planned to highlight your main skills and accomplishments. The key is to understand that the CV should be tailored to reflect the requirements of the specific position you are targeting. This means that for each application, you should modify and refine the content of your CV to ensure that it is relevant and attractive to recruiters.

What to include in your resume

Knowing what to include on your resume can be the key to highlighting your skills and experience in a way that quickly captures the attention of recruiters. A well-crafted resume not only presents your qualifications but also demonstrates your alignment with your desired position.

• Contact information: Make sure your contact information is up-to-date and easy to find. Include your full name, phone number, work email, and, if relevant, links to professional profiles such as LinkedIn.
• Professional summary: A brief summary of your most relevant qualifications and experience can quickly capture a recruiter's attention. Focus on your key skills and experiences that align with your desired position.
• Professional experience: Detail your most recent and relevant work experiences. Include the name of the company, your position, period of operation, and a description of your responsibilities and accomplishments. Use action verbs and quantify your accomplishments whenever possible.
• Education: Indicate your academic qualifications, starting with the most recent. Include the name of the institution, course, and period of study. If applicable, include academic honors and awards.
• Skills: Highlight skills that are relevant to the position. This can include technical, software, project management skills, among others. Make sure these skills are verifiable and relevant to the position.
• Certifications and training: Includes professional certifications and training that are relevant to the position. This demonstrates your commitment to continuous development and your qualifications for the position.

Not sure where to start? Download our free resume template.

What to omit from your resume

Including unnecessary or irrelevant information can clutter up your resume and distract recruiters from what really matters. Knowing what to skip is just as crucial as knowing what to include. Below you'll find what is not necessary to include in your resume:

• Irrelevant information: Avoid including work experience or skills that are not relevant to the intended position. This can divert the recruiter's attention from your most important qualifications.
• Excessive personal details: You should not include information such as marital status, number of children, or irrelevant hobbies. Stay focused on professional information that adds value to your application.
• Jargon and abbreviations: Avoid overusing technical jargon or abbreviations that are not widely recognized. This can make it difficult for recruiters to understand your resume.
• Salary expectation: Unless specifically requested, do not include your salary expectation on your resume. This is a topic that will be discussed during the interview.
• References: You don't need to include references or the phrase "references available upon request." Recruiters already understand this, and it can take up valuable space on your resume.

A well-designed resume is a powerful tool for highlighting your qualifications and grabbing the attention of recruiters. By taking a strategic approach, including only relevant information and omitting unnecessary details, you can maximize the impact of your resume and increase your chances of success.

Remember that every position is unique and requires careful customization of your resume. With the practical advice provided, you'll be better prepared to create a resume that truly reflects your skills and experience, aligning with employers' needs and making you stand out in the competitive job market.