The formatting of a resume may seem like a basic and consistent formula that never changes. In truth, the resume has evolved over the years and will continue to change as our means of recruiting, applying, and hiring changes. One way our hiring methods have changed is with the use of automation tools to help manage incoming resumes.
Software programs are becoming increasingly relied upon to help filter down the initial wave of applicants. This type of software, known as an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), parses, ranks, and filters resumes using an algorithm based on keywords taken from job descriptions. Many of the changes to resume building have been to accommodate this automated process.
So in case it has been a while, below are some guidelines for creating an up-to-date resume for your future job search.
Style and Structure
Font
Simple, easy to read fonts with a size of 10 to 12 points and black in color has been the common standard for resumes and not much has changed in this area. To ensure your resume is ATS-friendly, use one of the following common fonts: Times New Roman, Arial, Cambria, Georgia, Calibri or Verdana.
Style
One might feel inclined to add a unique design, chart, symbol, graphic or profile picture to make their resume stand out. Unfortunately, unique designs such as these can prevent an ATS from parsing the information on your resume correctly which can cause you to be overlooked in the application process.
And even when an ATS is not being used, the individuals responsible for going through resumes have little time to dedicate to each one and need to be able to locate your crucial information quickly. Keeping your resume style clear of clutter and keeping plenty of plain white space can help the information on your resume be absorbed.
Framework
Again, it might be tempting to switch things up in the structure of your resume in order to stand out, but this becomes cumbersome to the ATS and to the person scanning your resume. Stick to a traditional structure which is:
1. Name and Contact Information
2. Professional Summary
3. Work Experience
4. Education and Certifications
5. Volunteer Experience
| 1. | Name and Contact Information |
| 4. | Education and Certifications |
It is also perfectly acceptable for your resume to be more than one page long. Especially if you have 10 or more years of experience.
Content
Name and Contact Information
It is no longer a best practice to put your mailing address on your resume. Providing your City and Sate/Province is sufficient.
If you have a completed LinkedIn profile, consider including the URL with the rest of your contact info but only if it is a shortened and customized URL.
Professional Summary
It is no longer a best practice to put your "objective" at the top of your resume. Instead, write a professional summary that defines your expected next step. This section should only be 3 to 4 lines long. Although it is short, you should put a good amount of thought into this area, as it is the "first impression" of your resume and should really define who you are as a professional and your expectations for your career progression.
In the first line, list titles you will consider as your next step in your career. In the second line, list unique skills that would make you successful at those jobs. The third line will contain a list of achievements. The optional fourth line can contain more skills or achievements, or list specific industries, roles, or types companies you are targeting.
Work Experience
Your work experiences should be listed with your most recent experience first, and go back in time from there. You only need to go as far back as 10 to 15 years; anything prior will not be as relevant to the position you are applying for.
This section is your real opportunity to prove your value to the hiring manager and to stand out from the rest of the resumes. Avoid being too wordy - use clear and concise language in order to let the information shine. Be sure to review the job description for keywords and apply them where appropriate in your resume so you will be perceived as a good match by an ATS.
For each new work experience entry, list the name of the company you worked for, the span of time (month/year to month/year) that you worked for them, and the title(s) you held while working there. This information can be boldened to stand out from the rest of the work experience content.
Under the company and title entry, use a few bullet points to list your successes and achievements in that role. Don't use symbols other than a plain dot as your bullet point because this can get in the way of an ATS reading your resume properly.
Achievements over Tasks
For each bullet, rather than list the duties and tasks you performed, it is important to highlight what you accomplished in that role. It might help to take time and think of what your true accomplishments were at each of your past places of employment before filling this section in. Think of the problems you came across, how you resolved them, and what the end result was. This will help you to write out your work experience section with clear examples of your capabilities.
Instead of using simple action verbs such as "managed," "performed," or "operated," choose verbs that denote success such as "accelerated," "delivered," "eliminated," "increased," "sold," or "streamlined." There are many more success verbs out there; a quick search will give you more of an inclusive list.
Use dollars, percentages, time and other quantifying metrics to show your results and substantiate your accomplishments. This will help the hiring manager imagine you making those same achievements at their company.
At the End of Your Resume
After your work experience section, list your education as well as any certifications you may have. And finally, at the very end of your resume, as an option you can list any recent volunteer work or volunteer programs you are a part of. This is a good way of showcasing a bit about your interests and past-times. There is no need to mention references at the end of your resume. It is assumed that references will be asked for by the hiring manager once you reach a certain stage in the application process and you will supply them when needed.
Conclusion
In summary, the way to make your resume stand out is not through styling but through content. Use your resume to succinctly communicate your value to the hiring manager and use numbers to back this up. Stick to the standard design and template to get past the ATS barrier, and to make the information on your resume stand out and showcase yourself as a stellar candidate.
