Practical guide to writing an effective resume: recruitment tips

Your resume is your first point of contact with a company. When recruiters make their initial selection, they decide within seconds whether your profile matches the vacancy. That's why it's essential that your resume is clear, relevant, and tailored to the job you're applying for.

Below, we explain what elements a good resume should include, what best practices can make it more effective, and what aspects should be avoided.

Professional summary

At the beginning of your resume, it is advisable to include a brief summary of 2 to 4 lines. In this space, you should concisely explain:

• What your professional profile is and what you currently do.
• What type of position you are looking for.

This section helps to quickly contextualize your application and makes it easier for the recruiter to understand whether your professional goals match the vacancy.

Professional experience

Work experience should be presented from the most recent to the oldest, with the dates clearly indicated. For each experience, it is important to:

• Name the job title or position.
• Add a brief description of the main duties and responsibilities.
• Indicate the name of the company and its location.

Remember that it is not necessary to include all your professional experience, only that which is relevant to the position you are applying for.

Tailoring your resume to each job offer is one of the keys to increasing your chances of success.

Place of residence

Including your place of residence is useful information for companies, especially when the vacancy requires you to be present, live nearby, or be willing to relocate.

It is not necessary to include your full address; the city or area is sufficient.

Education

Your education should also be listed from most recent to oldest. In each case, you should clearly specify:

• Name of the course or degree.
• Institution where it was taken.
• Start and end year.

This helps employers quickly see your level of education and whether you meet the requirements of the vacancy.

Skills and competencies

It is recommended that your resume include a section for your skills and competencies related to the position you are seeking.

It is important to differentiate between:

• Technical skills: computer skills, languages, industry-specific tools, etc.
• Soft skills: teamwork, communication, organization, problem solving, adaptability, etc.

Avoid listing generic competencies that do not add value. It is better to have a few well-aligned skills than a long and vague list.

Format: less is more

A good resume should be clear, clean, and easy to read. A simple design makes it easier to read and conveys professionalism.

Some basic recommendations:

• Use an orderly and coherent structure.
• Avoid overly long texts or dense paragraphs.
• Prioritize relevant information and highlight it visually.

What not to include

Avoid including personal information that is not relevant to the position, as it can distract attention and lead to bias in the selection process:

• ID number or other identification documents.
• Date of birth.
• Marital status.
• Hobbies or personal interests (unless they are relevant to the position).

Excluding this type of information helps to guarantee privacy, comply with good selection practices, and ensure that the application is evaluated solely on professional criteria.

An efficient resume tailored to each job offer is a key tool for attracting the attention of recruiters and increasing your chances of success.