Back to the Resume Basics – Research, Research, Research!

Whether you’re fresh out of school and getting ready to tackle the job market, or you’re back in the market after being employed, it is never a bad time to focus on the basics of putting your resume together. All too often, job candidates get caught up in the search and fail to spend enough time putting their resume together.

Your resume is one of the most important documents you’ll ever write and it is vital to ensure that you’re putting everything you need into it, and that you’re taking the time to make sure you have researched everything completely.

Here are some tips to get you started!

1. Research Your Own Skill Set. You may feel as though you know your own skill sets like the back of your hand, but you may not be including crucial information that future employers need to know. Go through and list all of the different skills you have, no matter how trivial they may be. It’s also important to go through and list all of the different achievements you have made so far in your career or schooling to date. These are the items that employers look for in determining whether or not a candidate is right for the position. This is even more vital if you do not have a lot of experience in general, or experience in the position you want to apply for.

2. Research the Companies You Want to Work For. Before you send a company your resume, you need to know everything there is to know about them. Do an internet search and look for their website, as well as their corporate news. You’ll be able to learn a lot about the company, where they stand and whether or not they’ve been hiring for numerous positions lately. This tells you how stable they are and whether or not they are an employer of choice, and someone you want to work for.

You’ll also need to look up who the key contacts are and learn a little bit more about them. This is particularly important before you set up an interview. You want to be armed with as much knowledge as possible.
3. Research the Position Requirements. While every company is different, as long as you have a specific position or job title, you can search and learn more about what that position entails. Look for a job description that lists duties and familiarize yourself with all of them. If necessary, fine tune your skill set section to include duties that you already know how to complete or achievements that are directly related to the job you want to perform.

With a little care and research, you’ll be setting yourself up for success when you apply for the job you really want!

Need help putting together your resume or finding your dream job? Let the experts at Contemporary Staffing help you today!