Practical guides

6 guides

• Jul 6, 20265 min

  • Writing
  • Layout

  12 Common Resume Mistakes and How to Fix Them

  From vague bullet points to cluttered layouts, these common resume mistakes can cost you interviews. Learn how to spot each one and fix it before you apply.

  Takeaways

  • Show achievements and outcomes, not duties.
  • Tailor the resume to each role instead of sending a generic version.
  • Check before sending: contact details, links, length, file name.

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• Jun 17, 20266 min

  • Writing
  • Career

  Writing a Resume in English as a Non-Native Speaker

  CV or resume? US or UK conventions? A practical guide for non-native speakers writing a resume in English: format, vocabulary, spelling and pitfalls to avoid.

  Takeaways

  • In the US a resume is concise and a CV is academic; in the UK, CV is the everyday term.
  • Drop the photo and the personal details, and open every bullet with an action verb.
  • Translate qualifications by level rather than word for word, and watch for false friends.

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• May 29, 20265 min

  • Cover letter
  • Writing

  How to Write a Cover Letter: Structure, Tone and Examples

  A step-by-step guide to a cover letter that complements your resume: structure, opening lines, tailoring tips and mistakes that make letters forgettable.

  Takeaways

  • A cover letter explains and connects; it does not repeat the resume.
  • Four movements: opening, what you bring, why this organization, a proposal to meet.
  • Every sentence should make sense for this application only.

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• Apr 7, 20266 min

  • First job
  • Writing

  How to Write a Resume With No Work Experience

  No work experience yet? Learn how to build a convincing first resume from education, projects, volunteering and transferable skills, with concrete examples.

  Takeaways

  • “No experience” means no full-time job, not nothing to show.
  • Put your strongest material, such as education or projects, near the top.
  • Describe a project with the detail you would give a job, and keep it to one page.

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• Mar 19, 20265 min

  • Writing
  • ATS

  Resume Action Verbs: Lists by Field and How to Use Them

  Strong action verbs make resume bullet points clearer and more convincing. Find verb lists by field, examples of strong bullets and tips on ATS keywords.

  Takeaways

  • Open each bullet with a precise verb, then the object, then the result.
  • Drop “responsible for” and “worked on”: they do not say what you did.
  • Keep the same grammatical form throughout the section.

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• Mar 2, 20266 min

  • Writing

  How to Write a Resume Summary: Structure and Examples

  A practical guide to writing a resume summary in three or four lines, with a simple structure, examples for several profiles and the mistakes to avoid.

  Takeaways

  • A summary is three or four lines: who you are, your core strength, what you are after.
  • Replace adjectives with facts, including at least one concrete result.
  • Tailor it to each application using the ad’s own priorities.

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