Your resume is the first impression a hiring manager or potential employer has of you. Here’s what Nina Mazurova, Ph.D. from cheekyscientist.com says, “The quality of your resume makes a first impression and can determine whether or not a potential employer will consider you for an interview.”
The bottom line is this: You need to make sure your resume is professional and highlights your qualifications for the job. Now, you might be wondering, “Should I include my likes and dislikes in resume?”
I’m here to answer that question and tell you everything you need to know. I’ll also list down some tips on how to create a professional resume. So let’s go!
Read More: Resume Writing – Can You Put Future Things on Your Resume?
Should You Include Your Likes and Dislikes in Your Resume?
Quick answer: No. You don’t need to list down your likes and dislikes. This is because your resume should only highlight the important things – your relevant skills, experience, and achievements.
Since it only takes 6 to 7 seconds for a hiring manager or recruiter to scan your resume, you don’t want to put anything that isn’t necessary. You want to give them what they want to see right away.
Here’s what Julian Goldie, owner of Goldie Agency, advised:
It is important to focus on highlighting your strengths and abilities in a resume, rather than listing your likes and dislikes. By demonstrating how your skills and experience make you a strong candidate for the position, you can increase your chances of being considered for the job.
Someone from Quora says:
It’s not needed to write your dislikes. Instead, I would suggest writing about your strong points and your experiences. Also, try to be genuine. Many people add that they love reading when in reality they haven’t read a single book and when in an interview, a question is asked about a book they get caught.
That said, you can choose to include things that are considered likes or dislikes, depending on how you frame them. Also, if the job description asks you to list your likes and dislikes in the resume, you should do so.
Read More: How to Answer “What Are Your Professional Likes and Dislikes” in a Job Interview
Job Likes and Dislikes in Your Resume Examples
OK, let’s say you want to hint at your likes and dislikes in your resume. One good way to incorporate it is to not make it obvious.
For example, You can mention technologies or tools you’re skilled in (considered likes), or those you’re less familiar with (considered dislikes) on your resume. Here are a few likes and dislikes in resume examples:
Skills/Tools:
- Websites: WordPress, Thrive Theme Builder, AWeber, Ontraport, ConvertKit
- Tools: KWFinder, Ahrefs, Surfer SEO, Google Analytics
- Video: Talking head videos
If you do volunteer work or side projects as a hobby, you may want to highlight the task you did and the accomplishments you made. Remember, hobbies are considered interests (something that you like). If so, you can put on your resume or CV something like this:
Showcasing personal projects:
- Executed comprehensive digital marketing campaigns, demonstrating proficiency in SEO optimization, social media management, and email marketing. Achieved a 20% increase in website traffic and a 15% growth in social media engagement through strategic content creation and targeted advertising. Implemented data-driven strategies resulting in a 25% boost in lead generation and a 10% improvement in conversion rates.
As for your dislikes, it’s better not to mention them at all. You need to have a positive attitude. But if you must, you can phrase it like this:
Professional Development Note:
- While I am proficient in various programming languages, I am currently prioritizing opportunities that allow me to leverage my expertise in Python and Java. While I have exposure to other languages, my primary focus is on enhancing proficiency in these key areas.
Areas for Growth:
- Machine Learning: Currently expanding knowledge in machine learning algorithms and frameworks, including TensorFlow and Scikit-learn.
- Data Visualization: Exploring tools like Tableau to enhance proficiency in creating impactful and visually appealing data representations.
- Cloud Computing: Actively learning and working towards certification in cloud platforms such as AWS.
Now, there are some job descriptions that specifically ask you to specify your job likes and dislikes from a provided list. If this is the case, you can create a list of likes and dislikes in resume like this:
Likes:
- Collaborative team environments
- Innovative and challenging projects
- Data-driven decision-making
- Opportunities for professional growth
- Clear communication and feedback
Dislikes:
- Micromanagement
- Lack of clarity in job roles
- Limited opportunities for skill development
- Inefficient communication channels
- Repetitive tasks without learning potential
Or whatever is provided on the list.
8 Tips on How to Create Your Resume for a Better Chance at an Interview
If you ask me, it’s better to skip the likes and dislikes (unless you’re specifically asked for those). Instead, here are 8 tips on how to make your resume stand out among the crowd and land you a job interview…
1. Read the job description
To show a hiring manager that you really want to work in the company, you need to show that you read the job description carefully. Show them that you took the time to evaluate your skills, read what type of work you’ll be doing if hired, and all that. In a survey by Glassdoor, it was discovered that 63% of recruiters offer a job interview to resumes personalized to the job position.
2. Use a professional format
One of the first things that recruiters notice about your resume is the format. This is why you should always make sure it’s professional. If you’re not sure what format to use, you can grab a template online. But be careful, you need to know how to use these templates wisely.
Read More: Should You Use a Resume Template? The Pros and Cons
3. List relevant skills, experience, and education
This is very similar to my first point. If you don’t read the job description, you won’t know what skills, experience, or even education your potential employer is looking for. But if you do read the description, you’ll know exactly what qualifications you need to highlight to stand out.
Read More: How To List Skills That I Taught Myself On Resume
4. Focus on achievements, not tasks
A recruiter is not so much interested in what you did in your previous job. No, they want to know what you can offer in your new job (their company). So instead of focusing on “I did this and that in my previous workplace”, you can write “I achieved this and that with my previous boss”.
5. Use action verbs
Don’t say “Responsible for project management”, “In charge of social media marketing”, etc. The best way to write your resume is to use action verbs. Here are a few examples, “Managed cross-functional projects, ensuring timely completion and exceeding set goals”, “Orchestrated social media marketing campaigns, resulting in a 30% increase in engagement”, etc.
6. Keep it short but sweet
According to Jack Kelly from Forbes, the standard resume should only be 1 to 2 pages long. Anything beyond that is a bit excessive. Remember, you want to provide only the necessities. You don’t want to waste the hiring manager’s time any more than you need to. So always keep it short but sweet.
7. Use keywords
If you’re submitting your resume online, you may have to send it through an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). However, with the ATS, 75% of resumes are discarded before it reaches a human hirer. One way to beat this is to use the same keywords found in the job description (again you see why reading it carefully is so, so crucial). If you do this, the tracking system will sense that your resume is not just a general resume sent by someone who’s mass-applying.
8. Proofread
You don’t want any mistakes in your resume! This is because at least 77% of hiring managers immediately throw away resumes with grammatical mistakes or typos. So before you send in your resume, double or triple-check it for mistakes.
Final Words
“Should I include likes and dislikes in resume?” No, it’s not necessary unless you’re specifically asked to list them in your resume.
Instead, you should focus on your relevant, skills, experience, education, achievements, and qualifications. This is what makes you stand out. You should also follow the 8 tips I provided for a better chance of meeting an interviewer.
No Comments