The perfect resume

Also see Resumes of two candidates

Why these resumes work

Candidate A’s resume

• This resume stands out for its simplicity. The sentences are crisp and there are no superfluous words. As a result, there is less clutter and an HR executive can read the resume clearly, and actually run through it within five seconds. Note it is just one page.

• All achievements are listed under different heads. Specific words or phrases that are more important are marked in bold. All points are in reverse chronological order.

• The resume lists academics and extra-curricular activities in a balanced manner. It is well related to the job applied for—in this case, a first job as a management trainee.

Candidate B’s resume

• Fitting in 11 years of work experience on a page or two isn’t easy. However, this CV manages to do it without missing out on the essentials.

• The resume has the statistics to back the candidate’s claim. As a sales manager, the annual targets, by how much he surpassed them, prove his ability.

What not to do?

• Do not put anything in your resume that you can’t substantiate. For example, don’t list photography as a hobby if you don’t know the differences between cameras, says T. Sreedhar, managing director of recruitment firm TMI Network.

• Do not write everything about yourself in the CV. Instead, highlight achievements and skills that are fundamental to the role and underplay the others.

• Finally, don’t write your resume when you are in a hurry. Update it when your job is going well, rather than when you are looking for a new one.

Compiled by Aparna Kalra and Aruna Viswanatha

aparna.k@livemint.com