36
Resumes: proper formatting
I was told for uploading a resume to a site it should be created in Word and in a single column layout. Is that true? I would like to be more creative in the layout. I see others using infographics and making it more visually appealing.
Lynne CoganCareer Coach for Realizing Professional Dreams
871
02/25/20 at 5:23PM UTC
All the new resume layouts are fun, aren't they? Many job seekers love to use them and many resume writers love to show their design creativity.
However, the resume is not for job seekers or resume writers, it is for employers. What do they want? And what will their screening software (Applicant Tracking Systems, ATS for short) be able to read?
Do you know that there are now over 400 ATS. Each is able to read different things. Plus, each company can customize the ATS for its own needs.
Some of the most popular ATS cannot read columns, text boxes or graphics. They can only read tables to some extent. Therefore, you are best off not using any of these on a resume.
Additionally, unless an application specifically states that you can upload a resume as a PDF. Don't, because not all of them can read it.
As you might know, Word formatting can change from computer to computer. This is not a bad or wrong thing. It is because the view of a document is geared to the printer, so we can see in advance what the document will look like when printed. That is a good argument for keeping a resume fairly simple.
An even better reason is hiring managers and recruiters much prefer simpler resumes. The amount of time spent skimming a resume during the first viewing by a recruiter is up to 7.5 seconds from 6 seconds. But that still is very little time. They want to find what they are looking for quickly. If they don't, they are liable to go on to the next resume. Columns, text boxes, and graphics can make it more challenging to read.
So what can you do to modernize a resume and make it look good? A little color (both fonts and shading) and paragraph borders. Use these to help direct attention to what you want seen. Make it both functional and aesthetic. One color plus black and gray is usually best.
What if you are in a creative field or want to show rather than tell how you have increased sales for the three employers you've had during the past 10 years. Instead of columns, you can use a text box to put information that is not needed by the ATS, such as short recommendations from LinkedIn. (The ATS will be able to read everything but that text box and it will be available for humans viewers.) And one or two simple graphs might work, but write out this accomplishment along side the graph for the ATS and viewers who will not look at the graphics.
Again, the addition of a text box and graphics might only work well in a PDF. Therefore, you can attach a plain resume where it is asked for and the somewhat fancier resume as an additional attachment. And you can hand-carried it to your interviews.
Additionally, you can use the fancier resume on a LinkedIn profile or as a page on your personal website. This is where you can use an infographic or a slide show or a video resume. However, make a simpler downloadable version, too. (FYI: Some of my career professional colleagues think it is too forward to include a resume on a LinkedIn profile. You certainly want to limit the information to what you want to share with everyone.)
James Christine ParkerAspiring Writer & Editor
41
02/29/20 at 1:15PM UTC
So I'm pretty sure Lynne read my mind, because this is actually all I was going to say — only she said it better, lol. So I'll just lave this: "What she said!!" :D
Lisa Holmes HR ExpertHR Expert | Consultant | Speaker | Author
114
02/25/20 at 1:06PM UTC
I've written a bestselling book, Job Hunting. Now What?Keeping it Real in the Modern Career Search that answers this and many questions to navigating the job search process. I tell you many HR insider tips from my 30 years of expertise. Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Walmart.com, Chapters and independent booksellers nationwide.
DustspotOrganizational Dev. and Talent Mgt. consultant.
95
02/25/20 at 1:04AM UTC
I was told to put key phrases throughout your resume in white font directly from the job description to pass the tracker! LOL
Lynne CoganCareer Coach for Realizing Professional Dreams
871
02/25/20 at 5:29PM UTC
That was something used about 10 years ago by some. To my knowledge, it no longer is for at least three reasons.
1) The screening software is smarter these days and can tell when you are attempting to trick it.
2) It is a way of avoiding customizing a resume for each position, which is not a good idea, because recruiters and hiring managers look for keywords, too.
3) The best way to show keywords (skills, strengths) is first in a section dedicated to that and second as part of accomplishments, where you show how you used the skills to get results. That is what employers most want to know: not that you have skills but how you use them.
Anonymous
02/24/20 at 2:30PM UTC
I've been reading alot about this and if you are applying at a large company where you have to get through an Applicant Tracking System before your resume is even seen by a human, the special formatting will be blocked by the ATS. Maybe have 2 versions? One for submissions on the ATS and one for calls/in person interviews?
VERONICA DEBOISBRIAND
36
02/24/20 at 3:34PM UTC
That is what I have been told too. I was wondering because as a graphic designer I would like a resume that shows my design skills but most applications are done online so I have been torn on how to format my resume.
KATHELLEEN PARSONSBachelor's degree for healthcare admin.
172
02/23/20 at 11:42PM UTC
I was told that the resume needs to pass ATS
Amortentsia519Leader and relationship builder in Travel.
235
02/22/20 at 2:14AM UTC
I'm not 100% sure this is accurate at every company. My resume has 2 columns - one for my job history and a second, smaller one with skills, education, etc. It's gotten through a couple of online application sites to get a call. I used MS Word to construct it using tables, and loaded it with niche industry keywords. I did save as a PDF prior to upload, fwiw. I don't think infographics are the right choice for uploading to an application portal, but if you have the right data to build one to hand over in person I'm betting that would be a great attention-getter!
