How To Make An Effective Resume? Here Are Its 5 Essential Parts

Here is a myth we need to break: writing your resume does not have to be difficult. Yet, several professionals find it to be the bane of their existence. Why? There are several reasons for that, but we will get to that later. Before we find out how to make a resume, we delve into its importance first. 

How important is a resume?

If we have several forms of identification, count your resume as one of them. Think of it as a snapshot of your career path, from the moment you entered university (or high school, for some). More importantly, treat it as a corporate essay for your future employers to read. 

Now, let us look at some statistics. TopResume shares that 75% of companies reject resumes. The reasons behind such could vary. Some companies may find them too lengthy, too short, or find that there is irrelevant information in there. On top of that, a huge number of resumes come in every single day. So how do you stand out from the crowd?

What are the qualities of a good resume?

First off, your resume must have the following qualities:

• Relevant. Your resume should always reflect who you are currently. It does not mean that you open and close your document editor daily. But it means that the information on there should be at least 6 months to a year old. For instance, unless you just graduated from college, your university achievements should no longer be there.  

• Concise. Some companies only want to have a single page of information. So if you need help getting started, we have templates for you. But what is important is a straightforward document, where it is less fluff and more facts. Save the hilarious anecdotes for the interview. 

• Logical. A viral video stands out in its first three seconds. For a resume, the hook lies in the heading and your most recent achievements. So when cracking down on selling yourself, ask these: “What is my edge over the other candidates? What will make me stand out more?” The answers to those questions are the ones that open the document. 
• Honest. It is tempting to stretch the truth, especially if you want to qualify for a certain position. But companies now do more than just the call with a reference. They do background checks both online and offline, and they can see not just your personality, but your capabilities too. It would be disappointing if your application is rejected on account of dishonesty, right? Show the value of integrity from the get-go. 

(Also read: 32 Keywords and Phrases You Can Use For the Best Resume)

What are the 5 basic parts of a resume?

Now that you know the importance of writing a good one, how do you get started? If you have a document on hand, great – time to clean it up. But if this is your first time, do not fret. One core thing to remember when drawing this up is the order. 

A typical resume usually lists everything in a reverse-chronological manner. This is where you list your most recent position or where you currently are, then trace backwards. 

We have broken down the document into five parts:

(Also read: The 8 items you should take off your resume right now)

1. Heading

The heading should contain your personal information. Ideally, it should comprise your full name, address, contact numbers, and email address. As the first part of your resume, it should stand out the most. Be it a good font choice or a catchy color, it is the first thing that employers will see so make it count. 

Resume Heading:

Jane P. Valdez

9A DEF Tower, GHI Building, Marikina CityPhone: (02) 8882 – XXXX

Mobile: (+632) 0916 – XXXX

Email: [email protected]

2. Career Objective

Just like the name suggests, you must spell out what you want out of your career path. If you are a seasoned professional however, you can opt out of this, especially if you are just moving within industries. 

But even then, you can always place that you wish for career growth or are eyeing a specific position. Fresh graduates or entry-level professionals need this more. 

Think of this section as your mission statement. It must answer two questions: “What do you want?” and “What do I wish my employer to hear?” Therefore, it is best to align your career objective to the position the company you are eyeing is offering. 

Career Objective in Resume:

Seeking for an entry-level position in the Hotel and Restaurant industry with a focus on restaurant service and management. 

3. Employment History

Much like the highlights of a basketball season or an awards show, this portion is the clincher. It may be tempting to pepper your resume with as many achievements as you wish, but that can be detrimental. Experts share that you should feature work experience that covers 10 to 15 years. 

For fresh graduates, you can feature your extracurricular activities, internship opportunities, to name a few. When writing your history, stick to 2-3 critical bullet points that detail your duties and achievements per position. 

Sample Employment History:

Server

JKL Restaurant, Pasig City

• In charge of manning the coffee station, serving and bussing tables, and taking reservations at the hostess desk. 
• Worked closely with the Restaurant Manager to ensure ample inventory and balanced cash float
• Created a system that organized cash float balances and is currently a Best Practice across its three branches. 

4. Educational Background

Unless long-time professionals have master’s or doctorate courses to pursue, they can opt this out. They can instead change this to Trainings/Relevant Coursework, where they can place the seminars they attended. On the other hand, fresh grads can place their educational history here, including significant achievements (e.g. awards)

School Background:

2010 - 2014 De La Salle College of St Benilde

Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management - Hospitality Management Track

Magna Cum Laude

Training Programs:

Personal Development, John Robert Powers

5. Professional Qualifications and Skills

Aside from the qualifications you need for the position you are applying for, you need transferable skills. In today’s world, being multi-versed is the edge companies are looking for. Not only are they in need of people who can do their job, but those who can juggle several responsibilities. 

You can break this section into two. First, you can list down the skills that are apparent for the job that you are applying for. The second are general transferable ones like interpersonal skills, analytical skills, and the like. 

Adept in:

• The basics of restaurant service
• HACCP-certified
• Manages customer service aspects, like hostessing
• Operates restaurant management programs
• Fluent in English, Tagalog, and basic Mandarin

Transferable Skills:

• Can execute several projects at a single time
• Capable of problem solving on ground
• Is a great team player and can jibe with different personalities
• Self-sufficient and requires little to no supervision
• Adaptable in all types of environments 

Let’s get started!

To increase credibility, you can opt to list character references in your resume. Opt for equally credible people in your company or in your life who can vouch for you. For instance, fresh graduates could have professors, counselors, and their boss from the company they interned as viable candidates. It would be even better if you can select professionals from the same field for bonus points. 

Asking the question “how to make a resume” does not have to be difficult. Only having these five essentials and you are good to go. We wish you good luck in your job search! You can do this. 

It’s time to kickstart your career so #LetsGetToWork! But before anything else, make sure you take a look at our comprehensive Career Tools to ensure you get the help you need. 

Before you forget, update your resume prior to uploading it on your profile then search jobs on our website or download the JobStreet app on the App Store or Google Play. 

Visit our Career Resources Hub for more expert advice on developing a rewarding career.