Finding the perfect resume format is like finding your favorite food flavor. You have to try it at least once! There are so many different styles, formats, and features of resumes that there’s really no way to know which one is “best.”
That being said, we can learn something about good career services by looking into what makes up the most popular versions of resumes.
There are five key components in every great resume. If you don’t include these things in yours, then it will not look as professional or interesting. These elements may be included through and/or out-lined in some other part of the article, but they all contribute heavily to making your resume shine.
So, how do you make sure each of these parts comes together beautifully? By paying close attention to the colors, fonts, shapes, and general flow of each element.
This article will go over some easy ways to revamp and customize your own personal best resume format. On top of that, there are several free online tools you can use to create and edit your resume.
Organize it
An easy way to organize your resume is by using different styles or templates for sections. You can use these section headers as a guide to organize your resume. Make sure to use them all!
For example, if your resume has an Education section, then your format should include that as well as A Bachelor’s Degree, Bachelors in __________________, and Masters in ______________. Your job title would go under either “Education” or “Educational Background,” etc.
This organization helps separate yourself from other applicants who may not be as thorough or professional in their writing. It also gives your readers some direction — education, career path, promotion – everything is categorized nicely.
The hardest part about having a good organizational system is editing. If you ever need to make changes to your resume, simply take out a piece of paper and edit! This will keep you motivated and on track.
Use templates
There are many great resume template sites where you can find lots of professional looking resumes. Most offer both free and paid versions so that you have a choice to choose which one is the best fit for you or your business.
They’re designed by experienced career professionals so they always look crisp and aesthetically pleasing!
Many include easy customization options as well, making it simple to make yours unique. You may want to try some out to see what works for you.
Make it attractive
When it comes to creating your very own career masterpiece, you should know that what is considered “attractive” varies from person to person. Some like bold, bright colors, while others prefer classic shades such as grays and blues.
Whatever style you are drawn to, use it! Finding out which styles look best for you can help you create an aesthetically pleasing resume that gets noticed.
Keep in mind that if your style does not match those of other people, then this will be apparent when you review your finished product. You may want to consider changing things up or sticking with what you have already tried.
Tell your story
When it comes to creating an engaging resume, there are two main components. Your job summary or career profile and then your narrative or telling of your professional journey.
Your career profile should include information such as your education, employment history, awards you have received, and any special skills that qualify you for positions you want to pursue. It also should highlight who you are as a person and what qualities you possess beyond just your work experience. This personalization can be done through highlighting past achievements, talking about hobbies, and even writing short essays or stories.
The narrative component is when you tell your life’s professional story from the time you started looking for jobs up until now. You do not need to explain why you left every position, but you can talk about challenges you faced and how you overcame them. You can also describe lessons you learned from past experiences, and these could apply to other positions.
When it comes down to it, no matter which format you choose, your audience will know you and who you are as a person and what you stand for once they read your resume.
Make it action-based
When creating your resume, keep it simple and focus on how you can perform tasks or services for a company. This is not appropriate to do unless you have verified this through research and self-evaluation.
Some employers may feel that a resume with too much content or flashy designs are trying too hard to be noticed. These types of resumes typically use very professional fonts and illustrations which may distract from what matters most – your skills!
Your career will come down to who you are as a person and what you know so why make yourself look more like someone else? Also, some people may find these types of resumes difficult to read due at having too many things going on.
We recommend sticking to a basic style and tone of voice that is easy to read and understand. Try writing out a short summary of each position using bullet points and then integrating those bullets into an organized narrative.
