In a competitive job market, you need a resume that is visually striking and will stand out from the crowd without being turned down to land a job quickly. With kickstart resumes, job seekers can effectively introduce themselves to possible employers. It is beneficial to demonstrate your suitability for the position and to be heavily involved in the hiring process. It’s possible to improve your chances of getting an interview and landing a new job by knowing what to include on your kickstart resume, especially if you’re just starting a new career or looking for a new one.
Key Points
- The phrase “Kickstart Resume” usually describes a resume structure or style that is intended to attract hiring managers’ or recruiters’ attention right away.
- To get a head start, you can put together your kickstart resume on Autopilot using a variety of prewritten sentences for a variety of roles.
- With kickstart resumes, job seekers can effectively introduce themselves to possible employers.
- Professional summaries, work histories, educational backgrounds, and contact details are typically found on professional resumes.
- The majority of resumes are between one and two pages long, and they can be distributed as PDFs, Facebook attachments, or by email.
Kickstart Resume’s Tools
Employing a range of tools to assist with formatting, content creation, design, and applicant tracking system (ATS) optimization can help create a strong resume. You can successfully launch or relaunch your career by using these tools to create a clean, professional, and attention-grabbing jumpstart resume that attracts companies. The following are a few examples of kickstart resume tools I used when formatting my resume:
#1. Resume Developers
You can start your starter resume by using one of the many editable professional resume templates available. It is very flexible in terms of design and is easy to use. It gives examples for every component of the resume as well as step-by-step instructions and tips on how to fill it out properly. Take Canva, Novoresume, etc. as examples. Also available to you are your templates in Google Docs and Microsoft Word. For me to start writing my resume, I have to use Canva for the resume template.
#2. Tools for Content Optimization
Jobscan, Resumake, MyPerfectResume, or LiveCareer are helpful resources for finding relevant content for your job description or experience for your skills section and ATS optimization. As I was writing my resume, I used the Jobscan content optimization tool to find the relevant content for my job description. You can use Resumake to do that, but if you don’t have work experience, you can use LiveCareer for your skills section.
#3. Checkers for Grammar and Style
Grammarly and Hemingway Editor can be used to proofread your resume for typos and spelling faults, make sure your writing is clear and precise, and offer simpler alternatives to make your resume easier to read and brief. When writing my resume, I used my Grammarly tool to check for wrong spelling, which helped me a lot. It is best you use the tool because it helps make your resume clear and easy to read.
#4. Design Tools
You can incorporate eye-catching designs, like infographics, into your resume writing process, which is especially beneficial for creativity. Either Adobe Spark or Visme are options. As I was creating my resume, I wanted it to be eye-catching, so I used Visme as my design tool, which made my resume stand out.
#5. Tool for ATS Optimization
It is recommended that you use the ATS tool to create a stronger job description at the beginning of your resume writing process. Rezi or Skillroads are useful for building resumes that are optimized for applicant tracking systems (ATS) and for providing instantaneous feedback on how well your resume aligns with job specifications. When I was creating my design, I used the Rezi ATS tool for my job description, which helped me a lot in creating my resume.
#6. Developers for Unique and Portfolio Websites
To have control over the appearance and content of your resume, you should create a website or portfolio for creative and technical industries after creating your resume. Wix or WordPress are options. I used WordPress to create my portfolio, which gave me easy control over my resume to make it creative. This tool helps you make your resume more creative after making it.
The Characteristics of the Kickstart Resume
The phrase “Kickstart Resume” usually describes a resume structure or style that is intended to attract hiring managers’ or recruiters’ attention right away. These kickstart resumes frequently highlight important abilities, successes, and experiences early on in the text to grab the reader’s (i.e., HR or manager’s) attention. A legal document that summarizes one’s educational background, professional background, employment history, accomplishments, abilities, and other pertinent data is called a kickstart resume.
Professional summaries, work histories, educational backgrounds, and contact details are typically found on professional resumes. Resumes and letters of application expressing interest in a certain position at a company are typically sent by job candidates. The majority of resumes are between one and two pages long, and they can be distributed as PDFs, Facebook attachments, or by email. In creating my resume, I used the following, which is what a kickstart resume ought to include:
#1. Pick a Format for Your Resume
As I started my resume, I first picked my resume format, the functional resume. Your experience, the organization, and other details about the employer will all play a role in the resume format you select. a succinct opening line on your resume that highlights your most important credentials or encapsulates your career aspirations. You can use the following several resume formats when applying for jobs:
- Chronological resumes are popular among job seekers because they are easy to write and scan. It’s essentially a reverse-chronological summary of your professional experience that starts with your current position and goes on to include previous employment, schooling, certifications, and college projects in order of precedence.
- Resumes that are functional place greater emphasis on experience and skills than they do on a chronological list of previous jobs. A functional resume summarizes your qualifications and arranges your experience based on keywords and pertinent abilities.
- The combination resume focuses on your skills first, followed by your employment history, in reverse chronological order. After your talents, come your qualifications, followed by your work experience, educational background, and any other relevant sections.
#2. Make a Header for Your Resume
Your phone number, email address, and name—which is typically in the biggest font—are all listed in the header. If you’re looking for creative employment, you can include your social media profile, links, and first work website. Hiring managers will find it simpler to get in touch with you if they choose to set up an interview if your heading is clear.
#3. A Professional Description or Objective Remarks
It is usually placed just after the heading on a resume as a professional summary. This succinct paragraph highlights your professional background and abilities. It includes strong arguments that support your suitability for a certain role. For certain resumes, a professional summary might not be appropriate, particularly for applicants hoping to switch careers. An objective statement is helpful in these situations.
Use the most effective summary pattern, whether you’re utilizing an objective statement or a professional summary. Write your most pertinent accomplishments and talents while utilizing the job description’s keywords. Rather than merely enumerating job responsibilities, emphasize particular accomplishments and outcomes. To measure your influence, this could contain measurements or percentages.
#4. Provide Specifics About Your Work Background.
Being able to identify whether you’re a good fit for a job makes this section of your resume crucial. As an indication of your proficiency and expertise, you might highlight your prior accomplishments and work history in this section. In addition, recruiters learn about your prior contributions to organizations. When hiring new employees, employers may check your resume for former employment and titles to see if you’re qualified for higher-level work. Make projects, internships, and relevant job experience that show you are qualified for the role a priority.
#5. Provide the Details of Your Education and Credentials.
Because certain jobs are so different, it may be beneficial to include certifications, accolades for voluntary work, and educational background on your resume. Even though it’s customary and significant to include your school history on your resume, your work experience and skills can be more pertinent, particularly if you’re applying for a position that doesn’t require a degree.
You should prioritize your education over professional experience. In order to strengthen your educational background and professional experience, you can also add projects and extracurricular activities while in college. You can include your awards and certifications in the work experience and skills portion of your resume, or you can designate a separate area for them.
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With this format, your Kickstart resume should be in a professional style. I used the functional kickstart resume format to start my resume because it was a challenge as it was my first time looking for work, which meant I had no experience yet. At first, I did not know where to start, so I did my research and used my laptop to create my resume.
It all started in the year 2019. At first, I used Resume Builder in Canva, so I used my Google Docs for the template and LinkedIn to get my profile. I had my header titled My Resume, after which I followed with my name as John James, and I live on… Street in New York, United States of America. I studied primary in… place, college in… place, tertiary, and master institutions in… place with a degree in mechanical engineering. I was the secretary general in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. My challenge was that I had no work experience, so I omitted it and added skills.
However, I had skills as a content writer and also a baker for 4 years, which helped me in school, and I added to my resume. I won merited awards in school, like the award for the best content writer in the department and the school at large, etc., which I added, so I used Visme to add the infographic of the awards. Also, I stated my reason why I want to work for the construction company as the best-graduating student in mechanical engineering. I want to work here because I have the passion to work in a construction company to construct machines, etc., and be perfect at it.
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I added what I am good at in the construction company if I am employed, which is good at coupling machines, etc. Also, I added that I would not let the company down but would put in my effort to see the company grow. I checked my resume to see if any grammar errors were using my Grammarly tool or the wrong format, and I applied the relevant words of the construction company using Jobscan and CareerOneStop. But there were no errors, so I saved my work to my file and showed my friend Mary, who was a professional at creating resumes, and she said it was perfect.
However, I also created a portfolio using WordPress for complements and Rezi for feedback on my resume that matches the job. So I made a hard copy and was set to submit my resume to the construction company for comment. I was so happy I was given the job because my resume was eye-catching.
To start a resume, you must follow the right process and use the best tools. Check your resume properly to see if it has the right grammar and follows the right format before sending it to the company you want to apply for. Below is one of the examples of what a kickstart resume template looks like
What Is the Format for a Kickstart Resume?
Do not worry if you are unsure about where to start a kickstart resume. Part by part, this post will walk you through each step of creating a resume. I will give you a quick tutorial on how to write your resume, which is provided in the following:
- You start by creating an account or logging in to the account you wish to use to construct your resume. Click on Create New after swiping down to your Document (Google Docs) on the dashboard after logging in.
- After that, you have a choice of:
- Creating a fresh resume with your preferred template and customization choices.
- Upload your current information from your source and select the layout you want. You should know what you want to put in your resume before starting it.
- Modifying an existing resume sample to fit yours by changing the relevant facts. At this stage, you can choose how you want your resume to be based on its job description.
- Include resume sections and fill them with pertinent information. You can also use AI or other resume tools to put together the initial draft of your resume with just a few clicks.
- Pre-written phrases are available for a wide range of jobs. To make your resume write itself, just begin modifying it, select “Add Phrases,” look up your job title, and get to work.
- An appropriate employment history section for a particular job title will be generated by an AI resume writer. Then, to make it more uniquely yours, you can alter and modify the details.
The Difficulties of Starting a Resume
Making a kickstart resume presents several difficulties. A kickstart resume is simply one that is intended to assist someone in launching or relaunching their career. By overcoming these obstacles, people can produce a resume that successfully highlights their abilities, experiences, and potential for employers. Depending on the person’s history, industry, and professional objectives, these difficulties may differ. The following are some typical obstacles and solutions:
#1. No Experience
If you’re a recent graduate with little experience, it could be challenging to get employment. It can be challenging to produce a strong resume in the case of fresh graduates or people changing careers due to a lack of relevant experience. You can address this by adding abilities from volunteer work, internships, previous employment, and education that are applicable to the position you’re applying for. Any pertinent tasks, assignments, or group projects might be mentioned, along with your role and the result. Any further certificates, online classes, or workshops that support your professional objectives can also be listed. If your resume has any of those experiences, feel free to highlight them.
#2. Making a Skilled Design
A resume that is cluttered or unprofessionally designed can take attention away from the content and give the wrong impression. Using a clear, basic layout with consistent formatting, typefaces, and space is necessary to resolve this problem. Select fonts that are easy to read, such as Arial. Avoid utilizing a lot of typefaces, colors, or visuals that could detract from the message. Make use of the expert resume templates that can be found on websites like Canva, Google Docs, and Microsoft Word.
#3. Keeping Details and Simplicity in Check
Finding the ideal balance between delivering just enough information and being succinct can be challenging. You must prioritize the most recent and pertinent experiences when addressing this problem and eliminate any irrelevant material. Try to limit the length of the resume to one page for most early-career professionals. More seasoned readers can expand it to a maximum of two pages if needed. To make information easier to read, organize it into bullet points as opposed to long paragraphs.
#4. Employment Gaps
Employment gaps on your resume may need to be handled carefully if you want to get hired. They can raise red flags for prospective employers. You must be truthful and possess a solid resume to resolve this issue. If the gaps may be attributed to legitimate causes such as health problems, education, etc., state them in brief but without getting too specific. Include any worthwhile pursuits you engage in during downtime, such as skill-building, consulting, freelancing, or volunteering. An effective resume structure that emphasizes accomplishments and skills might be chosen over a chronological work approach.
#5. Resolving a Focus Deficit
Focused resumes help candidates communicate their career goals to employers. You may not be hired if your resume is unfocused. To solve the issue, you start with a clear and concise career objective or summary that outlines your goals and how you can contribute to the company. Customize your resume for each job application, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Use keywords from the job description to align your resume with the employer’s needs.
#6. Making Certain ATS Compatibility
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are widely used by businesses for resume screening; nevertheless, improper resume formatting can cause issues. Standard fonts must be used in order to resolve this problem; complicated formatting, images, or tables must be avoided. To pass the initial ATS screening, include pertinent keywords from the job description. Until instructed otherwise, provide the resume in a common format, such as a PDF.
#7. Highlighting Success Above Responsibilities
Some resumes do not include accomplishments, only work obligations, which might make it difficult to see how the individual will make an impact. To address the problem, you must quantify your accomplishments using numbers, percentages, or other measures. Use powerful action verbs, such as attained, designed, etc., to begin bullet points. Pay attention to the outcomes of your labor and how it helped the company.
Why Does Having a Compelling Resume Introduction Matter?
Effective resume introductions are crucial for several reasons, such as:
#1. Displays the Range of Advantages You May Provide to a Business.
Employers can get a rapid impression of the values you’re likely to bring to a position by looking at your work history section and resume summary. When I was creating my resume, I didn’t have a work history but a skills history, so I added it to my resume. If you are creating your resume, you have to add your work history or skills, it helps your employer know what you can do.
#2. The Recruiting Manager Is Encouraged to Read On
With a good resume, you may match your abilities and talents to the requirements of a particular job position. Using job description keywords on your resume is the best way to make sure it meets the requirements of the position. By doing this, you can make it through the ATS and persuade the recruiting manager to look through the remainder of your kickstart resume
#3. Aids in Outlining Critical Abilities and Employment Experiences
Employers are drawn to a well-structured resume that shows relevant experiences and skills. By selecting the appropriate fonts, formats, and colors, you may draw attention to your abilities and experiences. When you are creating your resume, you have to make it eye-catching, clear, and easy to read. Do this by creating your own portfolio.
Is Kickresume Free?
To get a free resume sheet, it is best that you create a free Kickresume account, choose a template that you wish to modify, and you will have access to free resume templates. After that, you can continue to download and edit your resume for free as many times as you’d like.
Is Kickresume ATS Friendly?
The main function of Kickresume is to build resumes using more configurable, ATS-friendly, and visually appealing resume templates. It is one of the Kickstart resume’s best features.
How Does Kickresume Work?
Kickresume is more than just a resume creator. Using strong resume and cover letter tools, skills analytics, automated job search support, and a variety of AI technologies, this AI-based career tool helps individuals find employment and increase compensation.
Which AI Can Create a CV for Free?
You may make a CV (curriculum vitae) for free with several AI-powered platforms and tools. You might want to investigate a number of these programs to see which one best suits your needs because they differ in terms of functionality and customizability. To ensure accuracy and applicability, always proofread and update your resume before sending it out. The following are some of the options:
- Zety resume maker
- Designs.ai
- The Indeed resume writer
- Career.com.
- Canva.
- Kickstart resume writer.
- The resume assistant on LinkedIn, etc.
Conclusion
Recruiters have limited time to study resumes; the aim of a kickstart resume is to grab their attention instantly and leave a lasting impression. Every stage of your job search will be made easy by its superior, well-designed, and essentially practical offering with the help of a kickstart resume.
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