Tips for Preparing Resume

Format - Whenever you send a resume to someone, ask him the format of the resume he wants. Prepare a resume in both text format and Word format. NEVER convert your word format resume to text or vice versa. Prepare resumes in two formats and make sure that it is readable and properly aligned in both the formats. Always take a print out of your resume and see how it looks on paper.

Different resume for different companies - All the companies, which you apply for, don't look for the same skill set, so you should realise that you need different resumes for different companies highlighting(or hiding) a particular thing as appropriate. And store the resume at a place so that if you get a call from the company, you know which resume you sent to that particular company.

Cover Letter - Cover letter is one of the most important things. Whenever you send a resume through employee referral, it doesn't have a cover letter section most of the times. In such cases, include a summary of yourself (skill set, experience, etc.) on top of resume to take care of cover letter.

If you send your resume directly to an HR person, I suggest sending cover letter like a regular email (i.e. cover letter as part of the email) and attach the resume with that mail. Again, you need different cover letters for different companies, because you don't apply for the same designation all the time.

Employee Referral – Employee Referral is always the best way to apply but you should try all means to send your resume. Employee Referral, Reply to the advertisement you saw and send it through the website as well. But never ask two employees of the same company to put it in the central database. If they talk to different recruiters, then it makes sense otherwise not. If it is a small company, then try only one means at a time in the order of Employee Referral, replying to that particular advertisement and then website. (By website, I mean the generic id given on website like hr@company.com)

Filename - Many people don't realise that even this is important. I suggest naming your resume FirstName_LastName.format. Never call it resume.txt or biodata.doc. Probably, you can understand the plight of an HR person who gets all the resumes with filename "resume.doc".

Reverse Chronological Order - Write everything (work experience, projects, qualifications, etc) in reverse chronological order unless you have a specific reason to do otherwise.

Length of resume - Make sure that each word of your resume adds some value. Don't repeat anything in the resume. 2 pages are good enough for a person having up to 5 years experience. If you have a resume of x.2 pages, purge it to make x pages.

References - If you wish to mention the references, give their contact info in the resume itself. Never write that references are available on request. They are always available on request.

No spelling mistakes - If you have spelling mistakes, it shows how serious you are about your resume.

Alertness - Always keep an eye on the resumes of other people. You may get an idea to include in your resume.

Other Things - Email address and phone number should be placed at the top. Personal information like your home address, etc. should be avoided or may be placed at the end.

The resume plays an important role in getting an interview call. Take it seriously and don't give the interviewer an impression that you were not meticulous when you wrote your resume. Whenever I see my resume, I always do something to improve it. Work on your resume at regular intervals. It can never be perfect.