It is true that content is the most important part of every resume. Depending on what you kind of information you will choose to include onto your resume employers will be either more interested in your candidacy or will discard your CV in no time. However, it is not only the content that matters. It is as equally important to be able to present that content in a way that would be convenient for those reviewing your resume. Before you eat a chocolate bar you see an attractive wrapping and if that chocolate bar would be wrapped in just a piece of paper with no picture or sign on it you will unlikely buy it. The same thing with resumes: if you can't organize your content in a way that would be attractive for employers, your CV might never be read by hiring managers.

Resume Structure: Essential Components

resume-570x380Many job seekers underestimate the importance of a good structure. The matter of the fact is that hiring authorities never spend more than half a minute to scan a resume. More than that, on average it takes 10-15 seconds to review one resume. So those decisions have really no time to carefully search out vital information on your CV. It is about whether they can see in 10 seconds what you have to offer or they don't. That's why you need to optimize the structure of your resume in order to get past the initial screening process. There are so many professionals who by failing to properly organize and structure the content were disqualified...

Throughout the years of experience in career assistance and resume writing we have come to the conclusion that the following arrangement of sections is the most effective: name, contact details, summary, accomplishments, professional experience, and education. Obviously, every resume should start with a first and last name along with the contact details. By contact details, we mean the physical address, phone number, and email address. You don't need to include a picture of you, any other personal information like your religious views, marriage status, etc. The next section is a summary of qualifications. It is best if you list your relevant qualifications in several bullet points. It will give a glimpse of who you are to prospective employers. If you are able to offer in these bullet points the skills and qualifications that are required for the job you will significantly increase your chances.

The first section after such an introduction should be your major accomplishments. This section s is the most convincing one if you can show that you are able to achieve success (especially if that success could be related to the job). Employers need to know that you are capable of achieving results for them. And if you've got something to show off, do it at the beginning of your resume. Then you could go to your professional experience - list your jobs in reverse chronological order. It is better if you don't copy-paste generic job descriptions from the internet but work on each employment to list relevant responsibilities. Lastly, you should list your educational credentials in a separate section (in reverse chronological order too).