Chamara Perera: How to Write a Resume in Six Steps

Chamara Perera: Tips for Writing a Great Resume

According to Chamara Perera, employers use resumes throughout the hiring process to learn about candidates and determine whether they are a good fit for the job. An effective resume is easy to read, summarizes your skills and accomplishments, and highlights your relevant experience. Learning how to show your credentials on your resume can help impress potential employers.

Chamara Perera offers 10 tips to help you write a great resume.

Look for keywords in the job posting.

The best place to start when writing your resume is to carefully read the job postings that you find interesting. As you read each job description, look for keywords that show what the employer is looking for in a candidate. Include relevant keywords in your resume.

Review resume examples for your industry.

When creating your resume, study examples of resumes from your industry for best practices and inspiration. There are many useful examples of high-quality resumes online.

Include only relevant information.

While you might have considerable work or educational experience, it's vital to keep your resume as brief as possible without omitting key information. If your resume includes irrelevant or old information, such as jobs held more than 10 years ago or minor achievements, it may distract from key information. An example of information to leave off would be a certification in an unrelated field. 

Use active language.

Write your resume using active language. It means using powerful words, such as "earned," "achieved," "completed," or "accomplished." If your resume is too long or hard to read, you might consider making your sentences shorter or ideas more concise, explains Chamara Perera. 

Call attention to important achievements.

Instead of listing your job duties, select your top three most important achievements in each role you've held, says Chamara Perera. Try to include numbers that measure your success for that particular achievement.

Proofread

Before sending your resume, you need several rounds of proofreading to ensure there are no grammar or spelling errors. While you can use several proofreading tools, it's also helpful to ask friends or colleagues to review your resume. 

Follow this Chamara Perera page for more insights on career counseling, career development, and job placement.