How to Write a Resume That Stands Out- 101

Your resume is your ticket to landing job interviews. It’s your chance to make a strong first impression on potential employers. In a competitive job market, it’s essential to have a resume that stands out from the crowd. This post will guide you through the process of crafting a resume that showcases your skills and experiences effectively.

Resume Formats

Chronological:

Lists your work history in reverse chronological order.

Best for those with a solid work history in the same field.

Functional:

Focuses on your skills and experiences rather than your work history.

It is ideal for those changing careers or with gaps in their employment.

Combination:

Blends both chronological and functional formats.

Useful for those with relevant skills and a solid work history.

Key Sections

Contact Information:

Include your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile.

Ensure this information is up-to-date and professional. Unfortunately, there is bias when it comes to your email address domain. Gmail and me.com, mac.com, and/or cloud are the most popular and up-to-date. I have experienced some hiring managers questioning someone's technical ability if they have an AOL or Hotmail account.

Summary/Objective:

A brief statement highlighting your career goals and what you bring to the table.

Tailor this to each job you apply for. The goal of this is to catch their attention quickly.

Experience:

List your work experience in reverse chronological order.

Include your job title, company name, dates of employment, and key responsibilities and achievements. Dates of employment can cause some issues with ATSs; two-digit months and four-digit years seem to work the best when parsing your resume.

Education:

Include your highest degree first, followed by any relevant certifications or training. If education is a hard requirement, you can place it near the top of your resume under the summary. If it is not a requirement, you can place it at the bottom, near the end of your resume.

Skills:

Highlight the skills most relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Include both hard and soft skills.

Additional Sections:

Include sections such as volunteer work, publications, or professional affiliations if they’re relevant to the job.

Tailoring Your Resume

Customize your resume for each job application. Use keywords from the job description to highlight your relevant skills and experiences. This increases the chances of your resume passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS) and catching the eye of recruiters.

Action Verbs and Keywords

Use powerful action verbs to describe your responsibilities and achievements. Words like “led,” “developed,” “achieved,” and “improved” make your accomplishments stand out. Incorporate industry-specific keywords to demonstrate your expertise. Double-check your bullet points and change out action verbs. It can become redundant if you see that you used managed two or three times in a row.

Design and Layout

Keep your resume design clean and professional. Use a simple, easy-to-read font and avoid excessive graphics, photos, or colors. Ensure plenty of white space to make your resume easy to read.

Conclusion

Writing a resume that stands out requires attention to detail and a focus on showcasing your strengths. By choosing the right format, including key sections, tailoring your resume, and using strong action verbs and keywords, you can create a resume that catches the attention of hiring managers. Remember to keep your design simple and professional, and review your resume regularly to keep it up-to-date.