We all know that writing a strong and eye-catching resume and cover letter will no doubt help you in your quest for employment; however a lot of people place too much emphasis on this and forget the basics of what a resume is actually for. It is supposed to enhance your skills, support your application and highlight your achievements. It is not designed to solely secure you a job. In this resume Surgeon article we cover five things you should keep in mind when writing your professional curriculum vitae.

We have already mentioned that gaining good work experience is an effective way of boosting your resume. But volunteering outside of working hours and taking part in extra-curricular activities is also a great way of adding depth to your resume.

By volunteering outside of working hours it demonstrates you are both a passionate and dedicated individual. It’s also good to show an employer that you have several “strings to your bow” and helps you learn new skills that may later prove valuable for your career. Depending on the type of volunteering you do, it can also improve your chances of employment.

There are a variety of ways to improve your resume and maximise your credibility. One crucial aspect is clarity and adding correct information – surprisingly many people make critical mistakes including spelling and grammatical errors.

There are so many different stages of job interview to prepare for that it can be a little daunting. If you reach the group interview stage of any position you apply for it is because you are very close to being considered for the role. Many employers will conduct telephone interviews initially followed by one to one meetings and, finally, group interviews. The group interview is a chance for senior members of the company to collaborate on your application and ask you a variety of questions.