Crafting a winning resume is essential during job searching. The modern job market heavily relies on automated resume-scanning software. Many hiring managers and recruiting firms use a computerized applicant tracking system to find the best applicants.
You need to have not only a well-made but a bot-beating resume as well. The best way to have one is to get professional help from a career advice expert. Alternatively, you may look through professional resume examples to learn what makes a resume genuinely great. This article will explore the best resume examples for different sections of a resume and show valuable tricks that will help you get hired due to your masterfully tailored job application.
Layout
The layout of your resume is a vital component that you should not neglect. First, ATS bots look for specific formatting and may miss important information if it’s not presented correctly. Second, when a hiring manager reaches your resume, it should be easy to read. Therefore, ensure your layout is minimalistic and professional.
You need to choose a proper font for your resume. The best options would be:
- Arial;
- Calibri;
- Helvetica;
- Garamond.
You should avoid using Times New Roman, a default font that will make your resume blank. While readable, it may make your application feel impersonal and made without a second thought.
Margins in your resume should be one inch, and spacing between lines – from 1 or 1.15. The exact number depends on the information you must demonstrate in the resume. Alignment for the document should always be left-side.
An optimal resume shouldn’t take more than two pages. There are exceptions if you have rich work experience. Yet, it is better to keep the document compact.
Finally, consider resume format and naming. Many ATS machines require PDF format. Ensure that your resume is saved as one. As for the name of the file, it includes the desired job position, your name, and the prefix “resume.” For example: “Backend_developer_John_Smith_Resume.pdf.”
Resume Format
There are two general types of resume formatting: skill-based and experience-based. There is no right or wrong option. You should choose the one that fits your qualification.
The skill-based format fits when you have several transferable skills that are more important than the places of work. Besides, this format of resume fits when you only start your career. Skill-based resume follows the next plan:
- header;
- personal statement;
- skills summary;
- education;
- work experience;
- personal information.
Another way of optimal application of this format is when you have blank spots in your career. The ATS system goes for keywords anyway. Therefore, checking the skills section first will optimize such a search.
The second type of resume is composed in a traditional, chronological order. In this type of resume, you put your work experience in the first place to demonstrate your proficiency in a certain field. The best sub-format is reverse chronology when you place the most recent job places at the beginning of the work experience section. This type of resume follows the next plan:
- header;
- personal statement;
- work experience;
- education;
- key skills;
- personal information.
Unlike a functional resume, in this case, you describe only your essential skills and focus more on your achievements in different working positions.
Make a Professional Header
The header of a resume may look like a small detail, but this detail may help you get more interviews or even get hired. The main trick about the header is not to include too much information, and you should focus only on relevant details: name, email, and contact number.
For example:
John Doe
E-mail: johndoe@email.com
Contact number: 000 000 000
The contact name of your email should be similar to your real name, and emails with casual names have fewer chances of being accepted.
Example of the Work Experience Section
Work experience presentation is vital for a professional resume. When you describe your experience in a particular position, you should include the following information:
- job position;
- company and city;
- period of employment;
- responsibilities and accomplishments.
Example:
Lead Programmer
ABC Company, Toronto
November 2015 – July 2018
Responsibilities and Achievements
- Optimized the workflow of a team and shortened development time by 10%
- Trained seven junior programmers who successfully qualified as full-fledged employees
- Released 10+ projects under my supervision
In this section, it is crucial to add value to your achievements. Instead of “I took part in a major project as a programmer,” you should write, “participated in seven released projects.” Concrete numbers give more value to your skills and help measure them precisely.
Example of Key Skills Section
Professional skills in any job field are divided into soft and hard ones. Hard skills are key specializations that define you as a professional, and soft skills are personal traits that help you in the work field in general. When you describe your skills, start with essential hard skills and complete the list with your best soft skills.
Example:
Key Skills
- С++ coding proficiency
- Knowledge of Visual Studio
- Advanced user of office programs
- Proficiency in Photoshop and Aftereffects
Personal Skills
- Communication
- Leadership
- Strong time management
- Risk mitigation
Bottom Line
The examples show how to present your professional expertise and format it correctly and how to avoid common resume mistakes. Yet, the more positive examples you see, the more qualitative your resume will be. Do not despair if you get rejected with your application, and keep practicing to craft the best job-winning resume.
