Do you know an average hiring manager spends very little time on your resume to decide whether it is worth moving forward with or throwing it in the trash? This little time is a deciding factor in your career.
So, what does a great resume look like, especially for an international student from a different culture, language, and academic background?
An excellent resume is a strategic marketing tool to showcase your unique skills, strengths, language diversity, and experience in a way that distinguishes you from the global competition.
If you are wondering what distinguishes a professional business resume from a mediocre one, We have you covered. In this article, we will reveal the secret elements of a great resume that will help your resume stand out from the crowd and lead you to your dream job.
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Basic Resume Structure and Information
You need to follow these steps to answer your query about what does a great resume look like. It is very important to look closely at the job description, collect the information that is required, and prepare your document accordingly.
(1) Formats of the Resume
Before we discuss the structure, it is essential to know about the format of the resume. Choose it according to your preference. There are three standard formats. Each format has its own distinguishing characteristics.
- Reverse-Chronological
- Functional
- Combination
1. Reverse-Chronological
When you first list your work experience with the most recent experience in reverse chronological order, it becomes a reverse-chronological resume format. It is the most traditional and common layout that makes it easy to understand.
Reverse-chronological is ideal for a finance professional resume. It emphasizes your work experience more than your skills and education. This format is best to use when looking for a job in traditional industries such as finance or healthcare.
The order of reverse-chronological format often includes:
- Contact details
- Career objectives
- Work experience
- Skills
- Education
- Additional information (i.e.,awards and special interests)
2. Functional
A functional resume focuses more on your qualifications, skills, and abilities than your work experience. This resume format is ideal for those with gaps or inconsistencies in their employment history. If you are very consistent in changing career paths or have limited experience, this format will be suitable for you.
The order of functional format may include:
- Contact details
- Career objectives
- Summary of skills/areas of strength
- Work experience
- Education
- Achievementsand awards
3. Combination
As obvious from the name, the combination resume format is a mix of chronological and functional formats. It balances work experience and skills and emphasizes education and certification. This type of resume format lets you highlight specific technical skills to make you the best fit for the job. If you have diversified experience and expertise, this format is the most suitable for you to impress the employer.
The order of combination format generally includes:
- Contact details
- Summarystatement or objective
- Relevant expertise
- Work experience
- Education
- Optional sections
(2) Basic Resume information
There are five sections that fall under the basic resume structure. These sections conclude your hunt for what does a great resume look like.
1. Personal Details and Contact Information
A good personal career coach will guide you on how critical this section could be. No matter how skilled you are or how much experience you have, a recruiter will not be connected with you if you misspell any information in this section.
This section includes:
- Your name, in bolder or larger font.
- Contact number
- Your current professional title
- Link to your online portfolio
- LinkedIn profile (if professionally created).
The placement of this section should be at the top of your resume.
Additional Tip: For international students with a non-English language background, make sure to thoroughly review your resume for any spelling errors to avoid any inconvenience.
2. Career Objectives
The contact information is followed by a career objective, which provides a brief outline of what sort of expertise you have to offer for this role and how perfectly you fit this position. This section conveys your relevant work experience and skills, acts as a hook, and simplifies the recruiters’ screening process.
Pro Tip: Bilingual international students can highlight their proficiency in multiple languages.
3. Work Experience
This section is regarded as the core of the resume and emphasizes the key question: what does a great resume look like? You should tailor your experience according to what the recruiter looks for. The section is placed right after the career objectives in chronological format. Each entry in your hands-on experience should include:
- Name of the company
- Location
- Job title
- Dates of employment
- Responsibilities while there.
Pro Tip: Make good use of numbers and words that indicate action.
4. Education and Achievements
The education and achievement section of a resume shows the hiring manager what does a great resume look like if you have a relevant degree or certification for the job you are applying for. This section not only indicates your potential for growth in the company; it also shows the strong foundation you have in your field. Your education should be presented in reverse chronological order. Each entry in this section should include:
- Name of your institute
- The degree you earned
- Start year
- End year
- Other academic certificates or awards
5. Skills
Consider this section to be creative in choosing the set of skills that make you a great fit for the job. This section facilitates your query about what does a great resume look like by showing how your skills set you apart from others and benefit the employer. You can simplify this section by dividing your skills into two categories.
- Hard Skills
Hard skills show your ability and can be learned and taught, such as computer skills, the ability to operate complex machinery, etc.
- Soft Skills
Soft skills talk about the traits of your personality, for instance, being a quick learner, having good time management skills, etc.
What Does A Great Resume Look Like? Tips and Strategies
In this section of the article, we will try to answer your question about what does a great resume look like by sharing with you some easily overlooked questions and considerations.
- Always tailor your information to the job. Don’t send out the same resume to a variety of different positions.
- Formatting can make your resume look professional and improve its readability. Always pay attention to the font size, style, margins, and spacing.
- Keep your resume short so the hiring manager can quickly scan it.
- Using bullet points in your skills, experience, or education sections helps employers go through the most relevant information easily.
- Carefully proofread your resume for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
- Add a cover letter to show your personality and your eagerness for the job you are applying for.
More Job Search Guidance
Suitable jobs for international students are possible only by learning about what does a great resume look like. Resume is the first introduction of these bright students, reflecting on their expertise, experience, and educational background.
If you are new to the job hunt, you are advised to consider working with a leading career consulting company like One Strategy Group (OSG). OSG experts provide career coaching in finance and consulting, guiding international students worldwide in matching jobs at leading companies across various industries. OSG personal career coach and career consultancy services are helping students realize their dreams.
Since 2020, an uncountable number of students have been assisted, and the journey is on its way. If you want to know more about us and how we are helping students, visit our website for more information.
