30 seconds! That is the amount of time your resume will get to make an impression. The reason is simple: the recruiter usually has a lot of applications to screen through within a short period of time. So, how do you get the attention of the recruiter that he or she will immediately single out your resume for further consideration? How do you come out with a good resume?

Two factors: content and layout.

Unfortunately, not many job seekers give serious thought to the exercise of developing a good resume. Spelling and grammar mistakes are too often spotted.

Work experiences were not listed in orderly fashion but crammed in long paragraphs. Job objectives were not clearly stated. These are just but few instances of a poor resume.

Content - Job objective

Brief. Clear. Stated at the beginning.

Employers are only interested when they know you have a career vision or goals. The objective will indicate right away whether or not there is a match with the position applied. Thus, a job objective may need some adjustment if you are applying for different jobs at the same time. A targeted resume is MUCH, much stronger than a generic resume.

However, if you wished to maintain a generic resume, then a cover letter is necessary for you to state your job objective clearly.

Content - Work history in chronological order

There are two formats in presenting your experiences – according to employment in chronological format or according to skills in functional format. The former format is preferred as it is easier to follow - and preferably, begin with the most recent employment. However, if there is a change of job specialization, a functional format is fine but a clear chronological work history should still be included.

Content - Include accomplishments or contributions

A good resume predicts how you might perform in the future job. It is to convince the prospective employer that you have what it takes to do the job. Thus, your past experiences speak volumes only if you had contributed in your office. No point listing down all the responsibilities of each position as most recruiter would view that as the generic JD. Do not be vague but be specific in what you had achieved or contributed. A simple task such as improving your office filing system could be listed in your achievements - “Improved company’s filing system by developing a simple filing index. As a result, time is saved in keeping and retrieving documents.”

Content - Leave out hobbies and interests

Unless necessary or relevant to the job that you are applying, you do not have to include your hobbies or interests. However, such questions may be raised during the interview.

Content – The basic elements

Though work experience is always the prime focus of recruiters, you should not leave out other basic information such as personal information (don’t forget to include your contact number or email address) and educational background as well as professional memberships.

Layout - Choose fonts wisely

The type, size and color of your fonts are more important than you think. Choose font size and color that are easy to read. The font type should be professional such as Arial or Times New Romans. Don’t try to stand out by using cursive fonts that are difficult to decipher.

Layout – Ideally, two to three pages

Some may have longer work history to cover. In any case, it should not exceed five.

Layout – Bullet format

Paragraph format makes reading difficult. Bullet formatting is preferred.

Layout - Is colored paper better than plain white?

It is better to be conservative than creative in this instance. Most employers would want to see plain white or ivory color unless you are an artist or designer. In any case, bright color such as green or yellow is a big NO.