Writing a Winning Resume
Tips on writing a compelling RESUME with a competetive edge
When applying for a job through a job board, have you ever taken the time to notice the metrics that most include, listing the number of applications that have been submitted? It can be quite daunting to think of the number of other applicants you are up against – especially when your resume is the first impression you will make on any organisation - and according to statistics it takes on average 6-30 seconds for a recruiter to look at your resume and decide whether it is suitable or not.
Here are some tips and best practices to write a compelling resume that will help you stand out and make a lasting impression.
Design:
- Include an up-to-date professional photo of yourself in your resume. (Do not use selfies or photos that are filtered, keep them clear and natural)
- Include your full name, phone number, email address and a link to your network profile (such as your LinkedIn)
- For security reasons, people may be hesitant to put in their personal address, but it is important for employers to know where you are located, so put in your area or state and country. For local roles, this will help the employer to know how close you are to the job location for commuting reasons and allows the employer to gauge local salary norms and expectations.
- Include a concise introductory paragraph on your resume that highlights your qualifications, unique skills, and your enthusiasm for the role. This is the first part of introducing yourself, before you list your work history - so make sure it is dynamic and powerful as this will help grab the employer’s attention and can be the key to making your resume stand out immediately when they are parsing large volumes of applications.
Helpful hints in your design format:
- Use a design template. If you are going to use a pop of colour for your header or sidebar, use professional tones, black and white, or dark blues are most effective – extremely bold colours that are bright can detract from your important information immediately, making it look less professional.
- Due to the large volumes of resume's that are received for job applications, companies often use an ATS (Applicant Tracking System) that parses resume’s to search for specific keywords and skills that are relevant to the job. Having too many images on your first page or bright colours, can cause the ATS to automatically reject your resume
- Keep your resume in both a Word and PDF format. If you are applying via an online portal that parses your resume into an online form, it is easier for the ATS system to scan the relevant information. If you are applying via an email or attachment, it is a safer best practice for protection of your information.
Structure:
Your resume is a visual presentation of your yourself and your work history. Take the time to gather your information and ensure that it is accurate and relevant.
Always work in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent (or current) position. Include your Title/Position and work on the rule of the thumb that your resume should date back to the last 10-15 years at maximum. Ideally your resume should be 1-2 pages.
Your resume should be concise, yet informative, so list the tasks and responsibilities that are relevant
to the job you are applying for.
- If you are new to the job market and have had a part-time job or Internship whilst you have been studying, use transferable tasks to highlight your experience (customer service or sales). Include volunteering and any club activities that you have initiated or achieved in.
- If you have been in the job market for more than two years, include the titles that are most relevant and highlight the quality of the contributions to your company alongside your tasks. (Still bear in mind conciseness and relevance) Include any awards or achievements.
- Once you have reached the 10-year mark in your career it is helpful to include any continuing education classes you have done, such as LinkedIn Courses, Part-time courses, or company courses that you have completed. At this juncture in your career, you can still include your education and qualifications at a more concise level and start to remove earlier job roles (over 15 years old), that will give you room to include career highlights as you list your tasks.
- Make sure job tasks and skills are true and not over-exaggerated or made up – integrity and honesty are key. If you progress to the interview stage or are hired, it takes very little time for an employer or recruiter to realise that you have misrepresented yourself.
- Include 1-2 references. (Always ensure that you have requested permission from the referee about whether they are comfortable providing a reference and their contact details – never assume that any person or company is comfortable with providing a reference).
Did you know that using bullet points and action verbs on your resume greatly enhances your chances of
standing out to an employer? Here is a link to a list of words that are a powerful tool on your resume.
Finally, ensure you proofread your resume. A simple error can make or break your resume.
It can be helpful to take a few minutes to step away from your newly crafted resume and come back with a fresh mind to proofread it. If possible, ask a second qualified person to look at it – having a ‘second set of eyes’ can help give you additional perspective on how your resume comes across.
How Outsourcing Can Help Small UK Businesses Compete with Larger Companies Level the Playing Field Without the Big Business Budget For many small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) across the UK, competing with larger organisations can feel like an uphill battle. Bigger companies often have larger budgets, dedicated departments and the resources to recruit top talent quickly. However, outsourcing and remote staffing have changed the landscape, giving SMEs access to skilled professionals without the high costs of traditional hiring. By partnering with a trusted recruitment and outsourcing provider, UK businesses can build capable, flexible teams that support growth while keeping overheads under control. Access Skilled Talent Without the High Costs Hiring locally can be expensive. Between recruitment fees, National Insurance contributions, pensions, office space and employee benefits, the true cost of adding a new team member can quickly exceed expectations. Outsourcing allows businesses to access experienced professionals in areas such as: Customer Service Administration Executive Assistance Marketing Finance & Bookkeeping Sales Support Recruitment Administration Data Capture Operations Support South Africa has become one of the UK's preferred remote hiring destinations thanks to its highly educated workforce, excellent English proficiency, strong business culture and convenient time zone overlap.
The 3 Recruitment Questions Every UK Business Is Asking in 2026 (And Why South African Talent Is the Answer)
Maximise Efficiency and Minimise Costs: The Power of Outsourcing for Recruitment Businesses In today’s difficult market, small businesses face numerous challenges; tight budgets, limited resources, and the constant pressure to innovate. Outsourcing has emerged as a transformative solution to address these challenges, allowing businesses to stay competitive while maintaining efficiency. By outsourcing tasks to skilled professionals from South Africa, smaller businesses can unlock new opportunities for growth. This article explores how outsourcing can be the perfect strategy for your business in these uncertain times. The Benefits of Outsourcing 1. Time Saving to Focus on Business Development For small businesses, time is one of the most precious commodities. Outsourcing allows you to delegate time-consuming tasks such as customer support, administrative duties, and IT management to skilled professionals. This frees up time for yourself and your in-house team to focus on higher-value activities like business development, networking, and forming strategic partnerships. In a competitive market, these are the activities that can drive your business forward and open doors to new clients and candidates. 2. Optimise Costs Without Compromising Quality Small businesses often face budget constraints and must carefully prioritise spending. Outsourcing to South Africa allows you to save on operational costs, while still receiving high-quality services. By redirecting these savings, you can invest in areas that promote long-term business growth. South Africa’s competitive labor costs combined with a highly skilled workforce offer businesses the best of both worlds: affordability without sacrificing quality. 3. Access a Rich Talent Pool South Africa is home to a diverse, well-educated, and multilingual workforce with expertise across various industries, from Recruitment Consultants and Resources to HR, Marketing and IT professionals. For smaller businesses, this means access to a pool of talent that would be difficult and expensive to find locally. Whether you need specialised skills for a project or additional staff to handle growing demand, outsourcing gives you the flexibility to scale your workforce as needed. With a talent pool that rivals any global market, you can ensure that your business is always equipped with the best talent. 4. Scale Your Business with Ease Outsourcing allows you to scale quickly, which is especially crucial for smaller businesses that need to stay agile. As your business grows, outsourcing enables you to increase or reduce your workforce on demand, without the complexities of hiring, onboarding, or training new employees. This means you can allocate resources more efficiently and direct your energy toward activities that contribute to business growth. 5. Reduce Administrative Burdens Managing employees comes with numerous administrative responsibilities, from handling payroll to ensuring compliance with local labor laws. Outsourcing can take these administrative tasks off your plate. This is particularly beneficial for small businesses that lack the in-house resources to manage HR and compliance effectively. By outsourcing administrative functions, you not only reduce the time spent on paperwork but also ensure that your business remains compliant with all necessary regulations, particularly in international markets. Beyond Administrative Support: Specialised Roles in Recruitment Outsourcing recruitment roles is a smart solution for agencies looking to scale their team. Whether you're in need of 180 ° recruiters (focused on sourcing candidates) or 360 ° recruiters (handling the entire recruitment process), outsourcing offers flexibility, efficiency, and access to international talent. 180° Recruiters: By outsourcing this role, your agency can quickly build candidate pipelines without the need for additional in-house resources. These recruiters are experts at attracting high-quality candidates through various channels, saving your team time to focus on higher-value tasks. 360° Recruiters: By outsourcing 360 ° recruiters, you gain access to experienced, high-performing professionals who can seamlessly integrate into your team and manage the entire recruitment process. These recruiters are equipped to deliver results quickly, often becoming fully productive within just three months, ensuring your agency meets client demands efficiently and effectively. Final Thoughts In a challenging market, outsourcing provides small businesses with the opportunity to optimise time, resources, and costs, allowing you to focus on growing your business. By leveraging the high-quality talent and competitive labor costs available through outsourcing to South Africa, your business can stay agile, scale effectively, and thrive even in the toughest times. About Infinity Staff Global Infinity Staff Global specialises in connecting highly skilled South African professionals with businesses across the UK market. Our outsourcing services are tailored to provide cost-effective, high-quality staffing solutions in the industries of recruitment, human resources, marketing, and IT. By leveraging South Africa’s rich talent pool, we help UK companies overcome skill shortages, enhance productivity, and achieve operational efficiency without the complexity of local hiring. Want to get started? Get in touch with us by calling: 020 3890 5122 or by emailing us at: info@infinitystaffglobal.com
