Resume Formats - One Size Does Not Fit All

Resume Formats - One Size Does Not Fit AllResume Formats - One Size Does Not Fit AllResumes are commonly thought to be something that must follow a certain cookie-cutter formula. In reality, your resume format is your ticket to an interview and must fit your individual situation like a glove.Technical/IT ExperienceA standard resume format typically includes a section at the bottom for skills. If you work in a technical/IT field, you need this section right at the top A good place for this would be between your professional summary and your work experience. Break it down into sections such asOperating Systems Windows, LinuxSoftware CAD, AutoCAD, DynascapeLanguages C+, C++Security Norton, McAfeeAlso, creating a mini-version of this at the end of every employment section on your resume. This would show which of the things you listed at the top of your resume were used at each company, so the reader can get a feel for what kind of experience you have and how long you have used a program. Skilled trade experienceA standard resume format typically does bedrngnis include a section for equipment or tools that you have experience with. You owe it to yourself to create one right at the top in a similar format as the example shown aboveWhere appropriate, you can do the mini-version after each position on your resume as well - also shown above.Perceived instabilityMany books on resume formats and job searches will tell you to put your resume in the functional format instead of the chronological format when you have had a lot of gaps in employment for example. This is usually not the best strategy because companies may require your resume to be in chronological order as it is the easiest for them to decipher. In some cases, a functional resume format may be skipped altogether if it is too difficult to read. Ways to work around this includeUse years only for the date ranges spent at each employer do not add months.If you have done a lot of contract work with the same contr act agency, you can group your assignments under this common employer and only provide a date range for the employer and not each assignment. You may also include the reason you left each position, if favorable, such asCompany-wide restructuringLayoffMergerRelocation for partners careerJob titles do not match experienceIf your job title is administrative assistant but your experience goes well beyond what you would consider typical for that title, there are a couple of things you can do to slow the reader down and not have them glance over this position. While you cannot get very creative for your title because you need it to reasonably match what is seen from a background check during the hiring processes, you can put some specifics after the titleAdministrative Assistant (Sales Marketing)Administrative Assistant Sales/MarketingYou can also bunch activities/responsibilities/duties together and give them headers, perhaps in bold to make them stand out, instead of just listing them and put the most relevant ones at the top. Administrative AssistantSalesMarketingAdministrationCalendar managementMeeting coordinationExpense reportsAgeOf course, hiring activities should not discriminate against mora mature candidates, but it can happen, even subconsciously and there is no need to feed the flame.Wont they see how old I am in an interview, you ask? Yes, but remember the purpose of the resume is to get you an interview. Once you are in front of them at an interview, you have a chance to sell yourself a lot better than simply on paper, with both your maturity and your fresh ideas.To avoid giving away clues to your age, remember to go against what you read in resume writing books andDo not list the year you graduated in the education section of your resume.Only list the past ten years of your work history under Work Experience unless the position is extremely relevant.No work experienceJust about everybody at one point or another has been frustrated with the conundru m of not getting selected for an entry level position because you lack experience and how can you get experience if no one will hire you because you do not have experience?Here are a couple techniquesto give yourself the upper handList relevant coursework at the top in asimilar fashion as described above for IT and skilled trade professionals.Dont be afraid to list on-campus positions you have held such as RA, Cafeteria Cashier, etc. recruiters want to see that you are reliable and dependable even if your work experience is not particularly relevant.Create a Volunteer Experience section on your resume and includeRelevant experienceAny experience where you can showcase significant accomplishments Having a custom resume format, not just to you, but to the position you are applying for is one of the most important parts of your job search. Interview trainingshould take a close second.