If you’re working in a job you hate and trying to start a better career, you already know how competitive the job market is right now. There are countless individuals who have been out of work for a year or more even though they are willing to take the most trivial minimum-wage job, if someone would just offer it to them. How do you stand out in such an environment? You need a good resume to showcase your strengths. The perfect resume combined with a compelling cover letter will help you get the job interview. After that, it’s up to you to wow your prospective employer. The first step in figuring out how to quit your job that has been making you miserable is to prepare the perfect resume. Receiving an invitation for an interview will hinge on the quality of your resume.
How to Write a Simple Resume
Writing a good resume is not rocket science, but you should take some time and put some thought into it. Start out by making a list of every job you’ve ever had, then think about a typical day at each job. What were your responsibilities? Did you drive a forklift, sweep floors, or run a cash register? Everything you have ever done at a previous job is a skill that can be included on your resume.
Skills to Put on a Resume
Should you put all of your skills on your resume? That is entirely up to you. Some people feel that you need to cram in everything you possibly can to write a good resume. However, in some cases you might want to downplay your skillset. For example, if you are applying for a job that you are clearly overqualified for, it might make sense to create a simple resume that doesn’t create the impression that you will want more money than the company is prepared to pay.
Resume Layout
A good resume format includes your name and contact information at the top, followed by your career objectives. Create a rough outline of a resume and begin filling in the blanks. You should list your education, work experience, and qualifications. You can either include your references at the bottom of your resume or include a note that they are available upon request. If you choose not to list your references, you’ll need to type up a separate sheet with your references on it in case a prospective employer asks to see them.
Writing a Good Resume Cover Letter
Your resume cover letter is even more important than the resume itself. You should write a new cover letter for each job you apply for. That might seem like overkill, but it is really important that the cover letter for your resume matches the position you are applying for. Even better, it should include something that shows you have done your homework about the company and the job you are pursuing. Take a look at some resume cover letter samples online to get a feel for how to craft your own cover letters.
If you don’t feel confident about writing a great cover letter, consider hiring a professional resume writing service to prepare your resume and write your cover letters for you. It doesn’t cost a fortune to take advantage of an expert resume writing service, and it could just help you get out of the thankless, stressful job you have now and into a position where your skills and experience are appreciated and put to good use.