Cheat Codes: Resume Writing
Welcome to Cheat Codes, a special series of editions designed specifically for those embarking on their career journeys. Each edition of Cheat Codes provides entry-level professionals with valuable insights, tips, and tricks to navigate the early stages of their careers. With a focus on essential skills and helpful information, these editions serve as a comprehensive resource for individuals just starting out. What sets Cheat Codes apart is the inclusion of practical worksheets that guide folks through various processes and help them outline their thoughts and actions. These editions will be released in between our regular Reasoned episodes, offering additional support and guidance for career development. Whether you're seeking interview tips, guidance on building a professional network, or strategies for personal branding, Cheat Codes is your go-to resource for leveling up your career game.
Your resume is the first impression you make on potential employers, so it's crucial to present yourself in the best possible light. A well-crafted resume can open doors to exciting career opportunities and set you apart from other candidates. However, resume writing can be an intimidating task for many individuals. The pressure to create a document that effectively represents your skills, experiences, and qualifications can feel overwhelming. It's natural to feel a sense of uncertainty when faced with the challenge of condensing your entire professional life into one or two pages or if you are just getting started, it can feel like you don't have enough on the page to land the job. The fear of leaving out crucial details or not effectively showcasing your strengths can make the process even more daunting.
Additionally, the constantly evolving job market and the ever-changing expectations of employers add to the intimidation factor. The need to adapt your resume to fit specific job requirements and stand out among a sea of applicants can be intimidating. The fear of making mistakes or not meeting the standards of recruiters can contribute to the stress associated with resume writing. Moreover, the competitive nature of today's job market and the high stakes involved in securing employment can further increase intimidation.
It's important to remember that resume writing is a skill that can be learned and improved over time. Breaking the process down into smaller, manageable steps can help alleviate some of the pressure. We will cover lots of information today to set you on your path to success.
Your resume serves as more than just a compilation of your skills and experiences; it's an advertisement of you as a professional. However, it's important to note that the information provided here is focused on the Americanized resume format and may not be applicable to all positions globally or the CV format. With that in mind, let's delve into what you need to know to create an effective resume.
Applicant Tracking System Layouts
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) have become a common tool used by companies to manage the overwhelming influx of resumes they receive for job openings. These systems are designed to automate the initial screening and sorting process by parsing resumes and identifying relevant keywords and qualifications. As a result, understanding how ATS works and optimizing your resume format accordingly is essential.
The preferred resume format is chronological, it presents your work experience in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent position. This format is widely used and preferred by ATS because it provides a clear overview of your career progression. On the other hand, the functional format, while it allows you to highlight relevant skills, it is not as ATS-friendly since it can make it more difficult for the system to extract relevant information.
To optimize your resume format for ATS, it's crucial to consider the following tips. First, use a clean and well-structured layout with clearly labeled sections to make it easy for the ATS to scan and parse your information. Second, include relevant keywords that align with the job description and industry. Lastly, avoid using complex graphics, images, tables, or unusual fonts that may not be compatible with the ATS software, as they can disrupt the parsing process and potentially cause your resume to be overlooked.
By understanding the role of ATS and tailoring your resume format to meet its requirements, you can increase the chances of your resume being successfully parsed and considered by employers. Balancing a visually appealing and reader-friendly format with ATS optimization is key to ensuring your resume stands out to both hiring managers and the technology they use to streamline the initial screening process.
The Structure: The Rule of Thirds
The top-third and bottom-third rule of resume writing is a guideline that suggests placing the most important and relevant information in these sections to capture the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.
The Top Third (see area 1)
The top third of your resume, which includes your name, contact information, your summary, and key skills, is crucial because it is the first part that employers see. It should effectively highlight your qualifications and entice the reader to continue reviewing your resume. By focusing on key qualifications and accomplishments in the top third, you can immediately grab the attention of the reader and make a strong impression.
Your Name & Contact Information (see 1a)
When it comes to including your name and contact information on your resume, there are some best practices to keep in mind. First, make sure your name is prominently displayed at the top of the resume, using a slightly larger font size or bold formatting to ensure it stands out. Use your full name, as this helps recruiters and hiring managers remember you.
As for contact information, it's important to include your phone number and a professional email address. Use a professional-sounding email address that includes your name rather than a personal or overly casual email handle. Additionally, include your general area; there's no need to provide your full address. In the footer (see area 5) be sure to include your phone number and email address.
Including links to your professional social media profiles, such as LinkedIn, can be beneficial if they are up-to-date and portray a positive image. However, ensure that your profiles are professional and align with your resume content. Remember, the purpose of including your name and contact information is to make it easy for employers to reach out to you. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your name and contact information are presented in a clear, professional, and easily accessible manner on your resume.
Your Summary (see 1b)
The professional summary of a resume plays a crucial role in capturing the attention of recruiters and hiring managers, giving them a glimpse of your qualifications and career highlights. It is typically located at the top of the resume, just below your name and contact information.
In this section, you want to provide a concise and compelling overview of your professional background, skills, and accomplishments. The goal is to immediately convey your value and demonstrate why you are a strong fit for the position you're applying for.
To write an effective professional summary, start by identifying your key areas of expertise and highlighting your most relevant skills. Focus on the specific skills and experiences that align with the requirements of the job you're targeting. Use concise language and bullet points to make it easy for hiring managers to scan and understand your qualifications quickly. I highly recommend using Chat GPT or other large language models to help you punch this up; most folks have a hard time talking about themselves in a way that resumes require.
You may also want to include notable achievements or contributions that demonstrate your impact. Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible by using numbers, percentages, or other measurable metrics. This helps to provide concrete evidence of your abilities and showcases your results-driven approach. If including this in this section use bullet points or numbering to create distinction from the paragraph above.
Key Skills (see 1c)
The key skills section of a resume provides a dedicated space to highlight your core competencies and areas of expertise. This section allows you to showcase the specific skills that are most relevant to the job you're applying for, making it an ideal place to tailor your resume and include keywords that resonate with employers.
To effectively utilize the key skills section, carefully review the job description and identify the skills and qualifications that the employer is seeking. Then, choose the skills from your own skill set that align with those requirements. It's important to prioritize the skills that are most relevant to the specific job and industry.
When listing your key skills, use concise and specific language. Rather than simply listing generic skills like "communication" or "leadership," try to be more specific and include keywords that are commonly used in the industry. For example, instead of saying "communication skills," you could say "strong verbal and written communication skills" or "effective cross-functional collaboration."
By tailoring your key skills section to match the desired qualifications and using industry-specific keywords, you can optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS) and increase your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers. ATS systems often scan resumes for specific keywords to filter out candidates, so incorporating those keywords in your key skills section can help your resume pass through the initial screening process.
Remember to be truthful and accurate in your key skills section. Only include skills that you genuinely possess and can confidently demonstrate if called upon during the hiring process.
These skills should be listed under your summary; I recommend listing 9-12 skills in a three-column bulleted list. You may be asking what to do with your other skills; we will get to that in another section.
The Bottom Third (see area 2)
The bottom third of your resume is where you typically include additional sections such as education and certifications, affiliations, and other skills or relevant work. Placing them in the bottom third allows the reader to gain a comprehensive understanding of your qualifications after being captivated by the top section.
Most of your resume will follow a single-column format and will visually be fairly horizontal - don't worry; we will cover other formatting advice to overcome the wall of text that resumes often have. In order to break this up, I recommend using a three-column approach in the bottom third.
Education and Certifications (see 2a)
The Education and Certifications section of a resume is where you showcase your academic background and any relevant certifications or training you have obtained. This section provides valuable information to employers about your qualifications and demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
When listing your education, include the name of the institution, degree or program, major or field of study, and the dates of attendance or graduation. If you have recently graduated or are a student, you can include relevant coursework or projects that highlight your skills and knowledge in a particular area.
In addition to formal education, certifications can greatly enhance your resume and demonstrate your expertise in a specific field. Include any certifications that are relevant to the job you're applying for, such as industry-specific certifications, software proficiency certifications, or professional development courses. Be sure to mention the name of the certification, the certifying organization, and the date of certification.
When formatting the Education and Certifications section, list the most recent education or certification first, followed by previous ones in reverse chronological order. Provide brief and concise descriptions, focusing on the most relevant information. If you have an extensive educational background, you may choose to include only the most recent and highest level of education or certifications.
Affiliations (see 2b)
The Affiliations section of a resume is where you can showcase your involvement in professional organizations, industry associations, community groups, or any other relevant affiliations. Including this section demonstrates your commitment to your field and your active engagement in professional networks.
When listing your affiliations, include the name of the organization or group, your role or position, and the duration of your involvement. Including affiliations in your resume can be particularly valuable if the organizations are well-known or prestigious within your industry. It signals to employers that you are connected to the professional community and actively seek opportunities for growth and learning.
Furthermore, affiliations can provide additional context about your interests, values, and areas of expertise. They can also demonstrate your commitment to staying up-to-date with industry trends and advancements. Employers often value candidates who are actively involved in their field and show a genuine passion for their work.
When formatting the Affiliations section, list the most relevant and recent affiliations first. Be selective and focus on those that are directly related to your field or the position you are applying for. If you have limited space, you may choose to include only the most significant or recent affiliations.
Other Skills or Relevant Work (see 2c)
The Other Skills or Relevant Work section of a resume is where you can highlight additional skills and experiences that are relevant to the position you are applying for but may not fit neatly into other sections of your resume. This section provides an opportunity to showcase a diverse range of abilities that can add value to your candidacy.
When including skills in this section, focus on those that are directly relevant to the job requirements. These can include technical skills, software proficiency, language proficiency, certifications, specialized training, or any other qualifications that make you stand out as a candidate. Be sure to tailor the skills you list to match the specific needs of the job you're applying for.
In addition to technical skills, you can also include relevant work experience that may not fit into the traditional "Work Experience" section. This can include volunteer positions, written contributions such as articles, or projects that demonstrate your expertise or contributions to your field. This section allows you to showcase your versatility and the breadth of your experiences.
When formatting this section, organize the skills or experiences in a clear and concise manner. It's important to prioritize the most relevant and impressive skills or experiences, as this section should capture the attention of the reader quickly.
Remember to update this section regularly as you acquire new skills or gain additional experience. Keeping this section current ensures that your resume reflects your most up-to-date qualifications and increases your chances of making a strong impression on potential employers.
Formatting Choices
Formatting plays a crucial role in the visual appeal and readability of a resume. It sets the tone for how information is presented and helps guide the reader's attention. When it comes to formatting, several elements come into play, such as font choice, size, bold or italic styles, white space usage, and the use of bullet points. Each of these elements contributes to creating a well-structured and organized resume that effectively highlights key qualifications and experiences. By strategically selecting fonts, utilizing appropriate formatting elements, giving your resume room to breathe with white space, and employing bullet points effectively, job seekers can ensure their resumes make a strong impression and stand out to potential employers. In the following discussion, we will delve into these formatting considerations.
Font Choice
When it comes to choosing fonts for your resume, using sans-serif fonts can be a smart choice, especially fonts that are optimized for digital reading. Sans-serif fonts, as the name suggests, do not have small decorative strokes at the end of the characters. They are known for their clean and modern appearance, making them highly legible and easy to read on digital screens.
Sans-serif fonts have become popular for digital content due to their simplicity and readability at smaller font sizes. They are designed to be clear and crisp, even at lower resolutions, ensuring that your resume is easily readable across various devices and screen sizes. By using a sans-serif font, you can ensure that your resume looks professional and polished when viewed on a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
When selecting a sans-serif font for your resume, consider choosing one that is optimized for digital reading. These fonts are specifically designed to enhance legibility on screens, with careful consideration given to factors such as letter spacing, line spacing, and font-weight. They are often characterized by clean lines, consistent stroke widths, and well-proportioned letterforms. Examples of popular sans-serif fonts optimized for digital reading include Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, and Open Sans.
By using a sans-serif font that is optimized for digital reading, you can enhance the readability and visual appeal of your resume, ensuring that your content is easily accessible and engaging to the reader. It's important to strike a balance between aesthetics and readability, so choose a font that aligns with your personal style while still maintaining a professional and polished look.
Use Elements for Impact
When it comes to creating dimension and visual appeal in your resume, strategic use of formatting elements such as bold, italics, size, weight, and other factors can make a significant difference. These formatting options can help highlight important information, draw attention to key points, and create a hierarchy of content.
Bold and italics can be used to emphasize specific words, phrases, or section headings in your resume. For example, you can bold your job titles or company names to make them stand out or use italics to format descriptions of the company or the job responsibilities. However, it's important not to overuse these formatting options. Reserve them for creating visual separation; avoid adding formatting to words within bullet points or sentences.
Size and weight are additional tools you can utilize to create dimension in your resume. You can increase the font size or use a slightly heavier font weight for section headings or your name to give them prominence. This helps guide the reader's eyes and organizes the content in a visually appealing way. However, be mindful of maintaining consistency throughout your resume. Stick to a consistent font size and weight for the body text to ensure readability and a cohesive overall look.
While using formatting options to create dimension in your resume is effective, it's important to avoid going overboard. Too much variation can make your resume appear cluttered or unprofessional. Stick to a clean and organized layout, and focus on using formatting elements purposefully to enhance readability and highlight essential information. Remember, simplicity and clarity are key when it comes to creating a visually appealing and effective resume.
The Good and Bad of Bullets
Bullets are a great way to present information in a clear and concise manner. They help break up long paragraphs, improve readability, and make your key points more easily scannable. Use bullets to list your skills, achievements, or responsibilities in each job position, and try to keep the bullet points concise and impactful. Use a consistent bullet style to maintain visual consistency throughout your resume.
While bullet points are an effective way to present information in a concise and scannable format, it's important to avoid using too many bullet points in a row. When there are too many bullet points without any variation in formatting or content, it can make the resume appear cluttered and overwhelming to the reader. Instead, aim for a balanced mix of bullet points and paragraphs to create visual interest and improve readability. Use bullet points to highlight key achievements, responsibilities, or skills, but also consider incorporating brief paragraphs to provide additional context around the job. By finding the right balance between bullet points and paragraphs, you can create a resume that is both visually appealing and easy to navigate, ensuring that the most important information stands out while maintaining clarity and professionalism.
Use White Space Effectively
Creating an effective resume involves finding the right balance between content and white space. Adequate white space not only enhances the visual appeal of your resume but also improves readability by making it easier for employers to navigate and locate key information. By allowing for sufficient white space, you create a sense of balance and organization that draws attention to the important details.
When setting margins for your resume, it's essential to strike a balance between utilizing the available space and ensuring readability. Standard margins of 0.5 to 1 inch on all sides are generally recommended. These margins provide enough room for your content while maintaining a clean and professional appearance. Avoid setting overly narrow or wide margins, as they can give the impression of cramming too much or too little information onto the page, respectively.
By adhering to standard margins, you demonstrate a commitment to professionalism and showcase your ability to effectively present information in a structured manner. It also ensures that your resume fits within the expected parameters and can be easily printed or viewed digitally without any content being cut off or compromised.
By allowing for sufficient white space and setting reasonable margins, you create a visually appealing and well-structured document that is easy to read and navigate. These seemingly small formatting decisions can have a significant impact on how your resume is perceived and can make a difference in capturing the attention of potential employers.
The Body (see area 3)
The body of your resume is where you showcase your professional experiences and highlight your achievements. It's essential to present this information in a clear and concise manner. Let's cover some helpful information.
Role and Company (see 3a)
The role and company information in a resume serves an important purpose in providing context and structure to your professional experience. This helps employers quickly understand your job titles and the organizations you've worked for, allowing them to assess the relevance and scope of your previous roles.
When including role titles, be sure to use clear and consistent formatting to make them visually distinct from the rest of the resume. This can be achieved by using a slightly larger font size, bolding the text, or using a different font style. By making the role headers stand out, you guide the reader's attention and make it easier for them to navigate through your work history.
In addition to role tiles, including company names, it provides valuable information about the organizations you've been associated with. It helps employers gauge the size, industry, and reputation of the companies you've worked for, which can be influential factors in their decision-making process. It also adds credibility and context to your experience.
By including clear and well-formatted role and company headers, you provide essential information and structure to your resume, making it easier for employers to assess your experience and qualifications. These headers serve as signposts that guide the reader through your professional journey and contribute to a polished and professional presentation of your skills and expertise; because of this, you will want to include the dates of when you worked at the company or held the role.
Describing the Job (see 3b)
When evaluating resumes, I frequently come across bullet points that merely describe the job function without providing much depth. While these descriptions can be informative, it is beneficial to go beyond simple job titles and include a couple of sentences under each job title that highlight the key duties and tasks you performed in that role. This approach allows you to be more concise and selective, focusing on the most relevant responsibilities that demonstrate your skills and expertise. Although these points may not include specific metrics, they offer valuable insights into your experience and provide employers with a clear understanding of the scope of your previous roles. By elaborating on your job responsibilities, you can paint a more comprehensive picture of your capabilities and contributions to potential employers.
Achievement Bullet Points (see 3c)
When crafting achievement bullet points, focus on quantifiable results and specific examples to demonstrate the impact you made in previous roles. Use action verbs and concise language to describe your accomplishments, emphasizing the value you brought to the organization. By highlighting measurable achievements, you provide concrete evidence of your abilities and showcase your potential value to prospective employers.
Good Example:
Led a cross-functional team of 10 members to successfully launch a new product, resulting in a 20% increase in sales within the first quarter.
In this example, specific details are provided, including the action taken (leading a cross-functional team), the outcome (successful product launch), and the impact (20% increase in sales). This bullet demonstrates tangible results and showcases the candidate's leadership skills and ability to drive positive business outcomes.
Bad Example:
Responsible for managing projects and meeting deadlines.
This example is vague and lacks specificity. It simply states a responsibility without providing any context or measurable results. This bullet does not provide any insight into the candidate's accomplishments or contributions in the role.
Remember to prioritize your achievements and tailor them to align with the requirements of the position you are applying for. Focus on the outcomes and results you delivered, whether it's increasing sales, improving efficiency, or driving process improvements. You should have bout 3-4 per position held. By using bullet points effectively, you create a visually organized and impactful resume that captures the attention of employers and highlights your qualifications for the job.
When crafting your resume, it's crucial to prioritize the most important bullet point by placing it at the top of your list of achievements. The first bullet point holds significant weight because it is the first piece of information that employers will read, and it sets the tone for the rest of your resume. By placing your most impressive and relevant achievement at the beginning, you capture the reader's attention and make a strong initial impact.
Highlighting your most important accomplishment first allows employers to immediately recognize your value and expertise. It showcases your ability to deliver impactful results and demonstrates your suitability for the position. Remember to tailor this key bullet point to align with the job requirements and emphasize the skills and achievements that are most relevant to the role.
By strategically placing your most important bullet point first, you make a compelling case for why you are the ideal candidate and increase your chances of capturing the employer's interest right from the start.
One or Two Pages (see area 4)
The decision of whether to have a one-page or two-page resume depends on various factors, including your level of experience, the industry you're in, and the specific requirements of the job you're applying for. In general, it's recommended to keep your resume concise and focused, presenting the most relevant information to capture the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.
For individuals with less than 10 years of experience or those applying for entry-level positions, a one-page resume is typically sufficient. It allows you to showcase your key qualifications, skills, and experiences without overwhelming the reader with excessive details. By condensing your information into a single page, you can maintain a clear and impactful document.
When you have extensive experience, surpassing 10 years, or when you are targeting roles that demand a thorough presentation of your achievements, a two-page resume can be suitable. With the additional space, you can provide a comprehensive overview of your professional journey, highlighting relevant accomplishments, responsibilities, and notable projects. However, even with a two-page resume, it is crucial to prioritize the most significant and recent information, ensuring it is easily accessible to the reader.
If your resume extends onto a second page, remember that the same principles of the bottom-third rule still apply. The bottom third of the second page should contain valuable and impactful information, capturing the attention of the reader and reinforcing your qualifications for the desired position. Be mindful of organizing the content effectively, using headers and formatting to create a visually appealing and reader-friendly document.
Regardless of the length you choose, it's essential to maintain a well-structured and visually appealing document. Keep the content focused, highlight key points, and ensure that each section adds value to your candidacy. Remember, the goal is to provide a clear and concise representation of your qualifications, showcasing your relevant experience and skills to position yourself as a strong candidate for the desired role.
Vital Considerations
Proofread and Edit
It is essential to meticulously proofread your resume to eliminate any grammatical or spelling errors. These mistakes can diminish the overall impression of professionalism and attention to detail. Utilize spelling and grammar tools to assist you in identifying and correcting errors, and consider seeking feedback from a trusted friend or professional contact who can provide an objective perspective. Take the time to carefully edit your resume, ensuring that it is concise, focused, and devoid of any unnecessary or repetitive information. By dedicating attention to these details, you can present a polished and error-free resume that effectively showcases your qualifications and enhances your chances of success in the job application process.
Get Feedback
Seeking feedback on your resume is a valuable step in the resume-writing process. It provides you with an outside perspective and can help identify areas for improvement. There are several avenues you can explore to gather feedback:
1. Trusted Friends or Colleagues: Reach out to individuals who have a good understanding of your professional background and ask them to review your resume. They can provide insights and suggestions based on their own experiences and expertise.
2. Professional Contacts: Consider seeking feedback from professionals in your industry or field. They may offer valuable insights specific to your desired role or industry standards.
3. Resume Writing Services: If you feel you need professional assistance, you can hire a resume writing service. These experts have experience in crafting effective resumes and can provide valuable feedback and guidance.
4. Career Counselors or Advisors: If you're a student or have access to career services, consult with a career counselor or advisor. They can offer tailored advice and help you align your resume with your career goals.
Remember, when receiving feedback, be open-minded and receptive. Consider the suggestions provided, evaluate them against your goals, and make adjustments as needed. Feedback can help you refine your resume and present yourself in the best possible light to potential employers.
Keep It Updated
Keeping your resume up to date is a smart career practice that can help you stay prepared for new opportunities. Aim to update your resume at least twice a year, or ideally, every quarter. By doing so, you can capture your most recent experiences, skills, and achievements while they are fresh in your mind.
To ensure your resume remains current and effective, it's helpful to rotate the individuals who provide you with feedback. Seek input from different trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors during each update. This approach brings fresh perspectives and diverse insights, helping you refine and enhance your resume over time.
Regular updates allow you to tailor your resume to specific job applications or career goals. By highlighting your most relevant experiences and skills, you increase your chances of standing out to potential employers. Furthermore, maintaining an updated resume demonstrates professionalism and readiness to seize new opportunities whenever they arise.
Remember to save multiple versions of your resume, tailored to different roles or industries if needed. This way, you can quickly customize and adapt your resume to specific job requirements, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.
Conclusion
In conclusion, your resume is an essential tool for showcasing your skills, experiences, and qualifications to potential employers. By following these best practices, you can create a polished and effective resume that stands out from the competition. Remember to keep it concise, organized, and tailored to the specific job or industry you are targeting. Pay attention to formatting, use clear and impactful language, and highlight your achievements and key skills. Regularly update your resume to reflect your latest accomplishments and seek feedback from trusted sources to ensure its quality. Your resume is a dynamic document that evolves with your career, so invest the time and effort to make it a true reflection of your professional journey. With a well-crafted resume in hand, you'll be well-prepared to seize new opportunities and advance in your chosen field.
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