In today’s competitive job market, your resume must stand out - it is your first impression, so make it count! Your resume can determine whether a potential host organisation considers you for an interview, making it crucial to put your best forward. The first 15-20 words of your resume are how long you have to grab the HO’s attention.

For many creating a resume from scratch can feel daunting, but fear not, this blog, our team, and resume template are here to help you! From formatting to content, we have you covered. Here are our tips and tricks to help you create a noticeable resume that highlights your skills and expertise to increase your hiring probability.

1. Regularly update

It is very important to keep your resume up to date, especially with recent work, new responsibilities, tasks, accomplishments, and skills, and remember to have your most recent work experience at the top.

2. Formatting

Keep it simple

Easy to read: Use font 10 Arial

Break up text using headings and line breaks

Bold for Headings – catches attention and is easier to read.

Keep the style consistent - for headings, bullet points, fonts, etc.

3. Sell yourself

Make sure your resume highlights your skills and experiences most relevant to the internship position, by using specific examples emphasising your strengths. For example instead of saying, “cooked food” say, “exhibiting cooking expertise through a variety of cooking methods”. Instead of “communication skills”, say “good communication skills acquired via study and customer service roles.” Browse the list of skills the internship may require, it is a good idea to use these keywords in your resume but keep in mind to always be honest and accurate.

These tactics will make your resume more dynamic and engaging - use action verbs to convey your achievements and responsibilities, such as "achieved," "implemented," "developed," and "led" enhancing the impact of your resume.

4. Ask for help

If you're unsure, don't hesitate to ask for help. Friends and family are always a good option as well as your IPS. It’s always good to have a second opinion and someone to proofread your spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. Additionally, there are free grammar tools available, such as Grammarly, that can assist you.

Creating a good resume takes time and effort, but is worth it. By using a clean layout, and highlighting your key achievements and skills, you’ll significantly increase your chances of landing an interview. Good luck!