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Need advice on best resume format and basic rules.
Like, only include past 5 years experience, etc. Can I use a Word template? Help! Samples would be great.
Hello Susan,
Hope you're doing well.
Here is the link for the Resume format and basic Rules.
https://www.resumeguy.com/blog/resume-format/
Hi,
I'm a professional resume writer. So, these are not my opinions, they are facts.
1. Your resume should be about 2 pages (unless you just graduated) and cover the past 10 years.
2. Forget the laundry lists of job duties. Every (insert job title) does those same things. Instead, you need to talk about what you achieved. (At 18, I started a job as a file clerk. Within 2 weeks, I had revamped the system so that, when I left because I was moving, they didn't have to replace me.) I suggest having at least 3 achievements per position. You also need to tell them HOW you achieved that.
3. Do NOT use a Word template. None of them with go through an ATS algorithm, which reads only from left to write in horizontal lines. So, that cute column with skills and what not . . . will get blended with whatever is in the next column. Create a very plain text, no color, no icons, and no borders document. Yup, it's boring and will get through the system.
4. If you want, create another one that has some color but the same basic format. Why? Because, as a recruiter, I scan down the center of the page, as do the millions of others. We are looking for specific words and phrases and don't want to hunt or try to figure out your little chart of skills.
5. NO PERSONAL Pronouns. We already know it's about you. We don't need to see you typing I did this and I did that.
Honestly, someone posted 50 tips. Unless you are an amazing writer and understand personal branding, invest in yourself and pay a professional. We wrote a resume the other day, she sent it out and within 20 minutes, had an invitation to interview. While that one is a bit fast, most clients have recruiters contacting them within a week after they update their LinkedIn profile with the same information as we put on the resume.
Cheers
Joanne Rosen
www.analyticadvantagecc.com
Here are 50 tips from FGB! I found these helpful. https://fairygodboss.com/articles/resume-tips-make-yours-pop
Some of the tips are really good but in the first 10, I found 3 that are outdated. I've spent hundreds of hours researching formatting, content, and, more importantly, what recruiters want to read.
Now that I am a recruiter, when I see a bad resume, I cringe.
If someone invested in an education, why not invest in yourself and get a professional resume. After all, Dr. Google might diagnose you . . . or you might be better going and paying a real doctor.
Cheers
Joanne
no more than 7-10 MAX!! IMO one page is best.
If you just graduated college, then 1 page is fine. Otherwise, there isn't enough to judge.
You google resume templates or look at those in MS Word as examples. Depends a bit on your role, but some use an accomplishments style resume, especially if there is a technical side to your job. 7-10 years is sufficient if you have longer experience, no need to keep it to one page either.