How to Create a General Resume: Tips & Tricks

A general resume is a versatile tool that can be tailored to specific job applications while showcasing your skills, experience, and qualifications. This article will guide you through creating a well-rounded, professional general resume step by step. Let’s begin by discussing the purpose of having a general resume and some tips on how to create a general resume.

Purpose of a General Resume

A general resume is a versatile tool that highlights your skills, experiences, and accomplishments clearly and concisely. Its primary purpose is to help you stand out from the competition and capture the attention of potential employers.

By showcasing your unique qualities, a well-rounded resume can effectively demonstrate your value to hiring managers, regardless of the job you’re applying for. This type of resume benefits those exploring multiple job opportunities. It provides a comprehensive overview of your career history, education, and achievements without limiting you to a single industry or role.

Personal details and contact information

Begin your general resume with your personal details and contact information. This includes your full name, phone number, and email address. Be sure to use a professional-sounding email that contains your name.

If you have a LinkedIn profile, ensure it’s up-to-date and include the URL. You can include your current city and state but exclude your full home address. By providing this essential information, employers can contact you for further correspondence or interviews.

Name and professional title

After providing your personal details and contact information, it’s time to include your name and professional title. Your name should be in a larger font, making it the most prominent part of your resume. Place your professional title below your name, using a slightly smaller font.

Your professional title should reflect your expertise and the position(s) you are targeting. For example, if you’re an experienced marketing professional, use “marketing specialist” or “marketing manager” as your title. When you clearly highlight your job positions, potential employers can quickly understand your area of expertise and value.

Address and contact Numbers

Furthermore, you should include your accurate and up-to-date address and contact numbers. Today’s job market is becoming more remote and location-independent, but some employers still require job applicants to be within a certain distance or even in a specific city.

Ensure your address is complete; include your street, city, state, zip code, and country, if necessary. Don’t forget to list your primary contact number (mobile or landline) and an alternative number if you have one.

Double-check your contact information to ensure it is current and error-free, as this is how employers will reach you about potential job opportunities.

Email address and LinkedIn URL

Next, include your email address and a link to your LinkedIn profile. Ensure that your email address is professional, not “partyanimal123@email.com.” Opt for an email address that includes your first and last name or initials.

If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, creating one is a good idea, as many employers now use this platform to find potential candidates. Add your customized LinkedIn URL to your resume, making it easier for employers to view your online professional presence and learn more about your background and career achievements.

Objective statement

After your contact information, include an objective statement—a concise sentence highlighting your career intentions and key qualifications. Be clear and specific about the role or industry you’re pursuing, making sure your objective aligns with the job you’re applying for or the sector you want to join.

Writing a strong objective statement

A strong objective statement should only be 1-3 sentences, but those few lines need to make a solid impact on potential employers. Start by briefly describing your relevant experience, skills, and the type of positions you are seeking. Use powerful action verbs and focus on what you can bring to the company rather than what you hope to gain.

Tailor the statement to highlight how your skills and experiences match the job requirements you’re applying for whenever possible. Finally, keep it concise, engaging, and industry-targeted to grab the reader’s attention.

Tailoring the objective statement for specific positions

Even though a general resume is meant to be adaptable for various job applications, it is essential to tailor the objective statement for specific positions. The objective should be brief, precise, and clearly express your career goals and how they align with the requirements of the particular job at hand. To do this, review the job posting in detail and identify critical responsibilities or qualifications needed for the role.

Incorporate them in your objective statement to demonstrate your knowledge of the company, the position, and commitment to meeting their expectations.

Education and qualification

For the education and qualifications section, list your academic accomplishments in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent degree or certification. Include the institution’s name, degree title, and completion date. If applicable, mention specialized training and relevant courses to showcase your proficiency in a specific area.

List of relevant degrees and certificates

After listing your educational background, including relevant degrees and certifications to showcase your expertise in your field is crucial. Start by mentioning your highest level of education, followed by other degrees and certificates in reverse chronological order. 

Include the institution’s name, the degree or certification obtained, and the year of completion. If you have earned certifications related to specific tools or methodologies, don’t hesitate to include them. In this section, you should only include academic achievements showcasing your suitability for the position, making your resume more appealing to employers.

Including specialized trainings and relevant courses

In addition to listing your degrees and certificates, include any specialized training or relevant courses you’ve completed. This can help showcase your unique skill set and make you more attractive to potential employers.

Make sure to mention the name of the training or course, the institution, the dates you attended, and any certifications, if applicable. This can be particularly helpful for those with limited work experience or looking to change career paths, as it demonstrates your commitment to learning and adapting to the demands of different roles.

Professional experience

Your professional experience section should include prior positions, highlighting your accomplishments and contributions in each role. Make sure to illustrate the skills you’ve gained from each experience, focusing on achievements relevant to the desired position for a more impactful resume.

Chronological Format: How to List Jobs

When listing your jobs chronologically, start with your most recent position and work backward. Include the job title, company name, location, and employment dates. Briefly outline your responsibilities and achievements using bullet points for easy readability. This format highlights your work history and progression, so showcasing your accomplishments and growth within each position is vital.

Be strategic in your descriptions, emphasize your most relevant experiences, and use action verbs to highlight your contributions. Remember to demonstrate a clear and consistent timeline and account for any gaps in employment.

Functional Format: How to Highlight Relevant Skills

If you opt for a functional format resume, your focus should be on your most relevant skills rather than chronological job experience. Start by identifying the essential skills the employer is looking for and compare them to your skills.

Create a section like “Core Competencies” or “Key Skills” where you can list 3-6 of your top skills. Consider adding a bullet point with a specific example or quantifiable achievement for each skill demonstrating your expertise. This way, even if you lack a traditional employment history, you can still showcase your strengths and abilities in a way that appeals to the employer.

Skills and Expertise

In this section, let’s focus on showcasing your skills and expertise. Highlight hard and soft skills relevant to the job you’re applying for, and don’t shy away from mentioning any technical expertise or industry-specific knowledge. This will help set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your value to potential employers.

Hard skills and soft skills

In your resume, it is crucial to distinguish between hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are technical or job-specific competencies you’ve acquired through education or work experience, such as proficiency in a foreign language, computer programming, or project management.

On the other hand, soft skills are interpersonal qualities and innate abilities, such as teamwork, communication, leadership, and problem-solving. In addition to showcasing your expertise, highlighting both types demonstrates your versatility and adaptability.

Tailoring skills to match job requirements

It’s essential to tailor your skills to match the job requirements, which can make your general resume stand out in a pile of generic applications. Start by closely examining the job posting and identifying the specific skills the employer is looking for.

Then, consider how your expertise aligns with these requirements while also considering which ones you possess that are crucial for success in the role.

Once you’ve gathered this information, incorporate these critical skills into your resume, framing them with action verbs and concise descriptions. This illustrates your expertise and shows the employer that you’ve taken the time to customize your application to suit their needs specifically. This extra effort can make all the difference in securing an interview and ultimately landing your desired job.

Achievements and Awards

Don’t forget to include any relevant achievements and awards you’ve received. Listing professional accomplishments, academic accolades, and extracurricular honors can help showcase your skills and dedication, making you stand out as an ideal candidate.

Professional achievements

Incorporating your professional achievements in your general resume can significantly strengthen its impact. These accomplishments display your competence and abilities within the field, thus making you stand out from other candidates.

When detailing your professional achievements, be specific and use quantifiable data whenever possible. This includes mentioning milestones reached, problems solved, or revenue generated. Remember to focus on the achievements that align with the intended job position, as they are the most relevant and appealing to prospective employers.

Academic achievements and extracurricular awards

In addition to professional achievements, include any notable academic accomplishments and extracurricular awards in your general resume. This shows a well-rounded background and provides insight into your work ethic, dedication, and commitment to excellence.

Academic achievements might be more significant for students or recent graduates at this stage in your career. Don’t forget to include any applicable scholarships, dean’s list placements, or special recognitions you’ve received for your academic performance.

Similarly, listing involvement in clubs, sports, or community service can help showcase your teamwork and leadership skills.

Additional Sections

In addition to the sections mentioned above, you may include additional sections, such as voluntary work, internships, and languages, depending on their relevance to the job you’re applying for. If you have participated in volunteer work, internships, or other experiences related to your field, highlighting these can showcase your commitment, passion, and readiness for the desired role.

Similarly, fluency in multiple languages or in-depth knowledge of diverse cultures can be an asset in today’s globalized job market. Ensure these sections are relevant, concise, and strategically placed to maintain readability and alignment with the job requirements.

Voluntary work and internships

Don’t overlook the importance of including voluntary work and internships on your resume. These experiences can demonstrate your dedication to a particular field and show potential employers that you’re proactive and engaged in developing your skills.

When listing voluntary positions or internships, treat them like any other job by including the organization’s name, your role or title, the timeframe, and a brief description of your responsibilities and achievements. 

This information will help to create a well-rounded resume and allow prospective employers to see your versatility, adaptability, and enthusiasm for learning and growth.

Languages and Cultural Backgrounds

Incorporate your language skills and cultural backgrounds to showcase your versatility and adaptability to potential employers. Be sure to include the level of proficiency in each language listed and highlight any experiences working or volunteering in diverse cultural environments. This demonstrates your ability to work in multicultural settings.

Formatting and Proofreading

Once your resume’s content is in place, focus on formatting and proofreading to ensure the final product is visually appealing and error-free. Use consistent formattings, such as font style, size, and alignment, as this demonstrates attention to detail and professionalism. Avoid unnecessary visual elements, as they can distract from the content.

Finally, proofread your resume thoroughly to eliminate spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes. This is crucial, as a single error can negatively impact potential employers. It’s also a good idea to have someone else review your resume, as they may catch mistakes you might have overlooked.

Visual appeal and readability

When creating a general resume, ensuring visual appeal and readability is crucial. Choose a clean and professional font like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica, and maintain font size and style consistency. Use line spacing, bold headings, and bullet points to make your resume easy to skim.

Keep the length appropriate—ideally one to two pages—and use a clear layout, leaving enough white space for a clean, uncluttered look.

Proofreading the final draft

Finally, proofread your resume meticulously to ensure it’s free from errors, as this is vital in demonstrating your attention to detail and professionalism.

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Conclusion

Crafting a well-rounded general resume involves highlighting your personal and professional details, showcasing your skills, achievements, and education, and considering additional sections for volunteer work, internships, or language skills.

Remember to pay attention to formatting, proofread the final draft, and tailor the objective statement when needed. This will ensure your resume is polished and leaves a lasting impression on potential employers.