How To Make Resume Format

Should I Give My Resume To A Recruiter

Yes, you should give your resume to a recruiter. Recruiters can help you find jobs that arent posted, and fast-track your application as well. However, you should consider the following before you give your resume to a recruiter:

• If the recruiter works in-house for a company, find out what role youre being considered for so you can tailor your resume to the jobs requirements.
• If the recruiter works for an agency, make sure they are reputable before you send any document that includes your personal information.

Stick To A Consistent Date Format

The dates on your resume should follow a consistent format. For example, most job seekers state the month and year they began employment somewhere, followed by a dash and then the end date . Like this:

Content EditorMay 2019 August 2020Big Software, New York, NY

However, its important to make sure you stick to the same formatting throughout your resume. If you start stating only the years you were employed halfway through your resume, its likely to confuse employers and negatively impact their perception of you.

Content Production Resume Template

Download this template here.

This basic resume template is suited for content producers at all stages in their career. By spreading out the header and “Skills” text horizontally, the resume below fits a lot of crucial information comfortably on one page .

Recommended For: Content Creators and Videographers

This resume will help content creators showcase their biggest projects and most notable accomplishments. Its great for showing how your scope of work has increased over the years, solidifying your expertise in that field.

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Format Your Plain Text Resume For Job Board Postings

Once you’ve turned your resume from a word document to a plain text document, you’ll need to fix some formatting. Here are the steps to take:

• First, close out of your word-processing program and open the plain text document you created

• Next, remove any references to “next page” if your resume had more than one

• Next, change any headings to all caps to distinguish them from the rest of the text

• Next, bullet-points will format incorrectly, so choose another plain text symbol to use such as or

• Next, check quotation marks. Sometimes changing from a word document to a plain text document will change quotations to “smart” quotes which point in different directions and can cause chains of other symbols to appear in emails and on the web. Check to make sure all quotations are “straight” quotes.

• Then, check for improper line breaks, jumbled text and other formatting issues

• Finally, widen your text editing screen to see what your resume looks like without text wrap, to make sure it looks similar to your original resume without the special formatting.

How Canadian And Us Resume Formats Differ

Canadian and U.S. resumes share many similarities, though there are some subtle differences between the two formats. If you already have a U.S. resume, you can typically make small changes to prepare your resume for Canadian employers. Here are some of the key differences between Canadian and U.S. resumes:

• Language: When writing a resume for jobs in Canada, use Canadian English, which may have different spellings for some words. For example, many words spelled with an o in the U.S. are spelled with an ou in Canada, such as behaviour.

• Dates: Canadian resumes specify dates using the Year-Month-Day format. This format is different from the standard Month-Day-Year format in the U.S.

• Measurements: Canada uses the metric system, so make sure you use those measurements on your resume. For example, you may write that you oversee deliveries in a 100-kilometer radius.

• Graphics: Some professionals in the U.S., such as graphic designers, may use graphics on their resumes to demonstrate their creativity. Typically, Canadian resumes dont include these elements.

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Tips For Submitting Resumes To Agencies

Some agencies accept uploaded resumes and resumes created using the USAJOBS resume builder, while some may only accept one or the other. Even though you may have both types of resumes in the Document section of your profile, the agency determines which ones to accept when you are applying online. The Apply button displayed on the job announcement page activates the process for a job seeker to complete an application.

USAJOBS automatically provides a list of available resumes and other documents to attach to your application, and will only display resumes and documents the hiring agency is willing to accept. For example, if the hiring agency only accepts resumes created using the USAJOBS resume builder, then your uploaded resumes will not be available to add to your application. Please pay special attention to the How to Apply section of the job announcement to find out which resume format and documents are accepted and how to submit them to the hiring agency.

How To Make A Comprehensive Resume

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed’s data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

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Holl explains how to choose the best type and format of resume for your application, and how to maximize the impact of your resume bullet points

A resume is a document commonly used in the hiring process. It includes information about your background and qualifications and should communicate the most important, relevant information about you to employers in a clear, easy-to-read format. The goal is to quickly communicate why you are uniquely qualified for the position based on your skills and experiences.

To create a resume that will get noticed by employers, you can follow a few simple steps and best practices. The main goal to keep in mind is to make your resume relevant and readable. Lets take a closer look at the best ways to write each of these resume sections. For more inspiration when writing or updating your resume, look at resume samples from your industry and job title.

If you’re interested in professional and personalized resume feedback, learn more about Indeed’s free and paid resume review services at

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Resume Sample For A Brand Manager

You can review this resume sample to understand how to draft a compelling resume for a brand manager:

Vivian Paul, Bachelor of Arts in business administration

456-7890 | vivianpaul@email.ca | Calgary, Alberta

Professional SummaryResults-driven and competent Brand Manager with over five years of experience building brand image and developing effective marketing plans. With a proven track record of increasing revenue by over $500,000 in two months using strategic thinking skills and knowledge of marketing principles. I intend to apply my expertise and knowledge to deliver exceptional customer experience and foster brand loyalty.

ExperienceBrand Manager | June 2020âCurrentGolden Pole Organization | Calgary, Alberta

• define key metrics, develop customer segmentation, direct strategic planning, and execute lifecycle marketing strategies to improve brand image

• lead a cross-functional team of over 15 employees to develop product features and design strategies that drive customer engagement

• establish monthly short- and long-term brand strategies to reach a new audience

• draft advertising briefs for new launches

• serve as a contact point for brand marketing projects

Brand Manager | July 2017âMay 2020 Yellow Oak Company | Calgary, Alberta

• increased sales by 40% in three months by creating brand awareness campaigns

• generated revenue of over $500,000 in two months through the implementation of customer monthly retention plans

• oversaw the company’s digital marketing program

Education

Consider Adding Optional Sections

If you have significant white space on your resume, consider adding an . This can help supplement a shorter resume, especially for those with limited work and educational experience. Makes sure the achievements and interests you list support your career goals and are relevant to potential employers.

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What Are Some Of The Biggest Resume Mistakes To Watch Out For

• Spelling and grammar typos Although they can seem obvious, as a result of tweaking resumes back and forth to fit the job descriptions, you can be vulnerable to this kind of error. Read your resume from bottom to top to help you focus on each line in isolation or have someone proofread it.
• Your resume length Ideally, a one-page resume is good and if you have a lot of relevant work experience in line with the job offer, opt for a 2-page resume. If you have qualified working experience that goes back 20 years, delete it once theyre irrelevant to the job descriptions.
• Other mistakes include poor formatting, not including your contact information, adding confidential information and using a generic resume for all your job positions youre applying to.

How Do I Write A Professional Summary

A professional summary is a few sentences at the top of your resume that highlights your qualifications for a job. It is often the very first thing that hiring managers look for and read, so you want to get to the point fast.

We recommend that you write three to four sentences, where you highlight your most relevant strengths, skills, and core competencies that are unique to you as a candidate. In particular, demonstrate how you will add value to the company. Try asking yourself: Did you outperform the projected sales? Have you saved the company money? Did you streamline project management?

Including your core skills and putting them into company perspective will impress the hiring manager and is a great way to demonstrate your candidacy towards the job.

Get started by using action verbs or power words as they can often be used to demonstrate achievements.

Lastly, remember to always tailor your professional summary to the specific job listing.

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Add Any Additional Relevant Sections

This section offers the opportunity to include qualities that make you unique. You can include your hobbies and interests, awards and certifications, volunteer work, languages, publications and projects. For instance, being bilingual can give you an edge if the role involves frequent trips to another country where you can speak the local language.

What Is A Simple Resume

A simple resume is one that is structured in reverse chronological order. This format requires you to mention your most recent positions and educational accomplishments before highlighting past jobs and experiences. The reverse-chronological resume format may be ideal for people with several years of work experience.

If you are a student or recent graduate without work experience or are switching to a new industry, a functional/skills-based resume might be a more appropriate choice. A combination resume is appropriate for those with extensive skills and experience in diverse fields. A simple resume format allows you to combine your accomplishments in several roles on one resume.

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Tweak Keywords To Build The Best Resume For Each Job

Dont make the mistake of answering each job posting with the same generic resume. Instead, take a few extra minutes to mirror it to the keywords and phrases within the job ad. Youll be much more likely to make it to the next round of hiring, especially if an applicant tracking system has anything to do with it.

Get as close as you can to the language of the job description, or at least look for common denominators, Leavy-Detrick advises.

If youre planning to cast a wide net by uploading a general resume to your LinkedIn or Indeed profile, make sure its tailored to the primary job you want then update your keywords when applying to positions that deviate from the norm.

Pair Your Resume With A Convincing Cover Letter

Now that youve put the finishing touches on your resume, its time to start sending it off to employers, right?Not just yet.

No job application is complete without writing a cover letter first.

While your resume shows your work history and skills, your cover letter explains your passion for the job and how your experience makes you qualified for that specific role.

In other words, your cover letter is your opportunity to convince the hiring manager that youre the ideal person for the job.

Without going into too much detail, heres how to write a strong cover letter for your resume:

How to write a cover letter for your resume

• Introduce yourself and explain how you found the job

Address the hiring manager by their name . Then, introduce yourself and how much experience you have, as well as where you found the job.

• Open with an attention-getting introductory paragraph

Briefly explain what attracted you to the job ad and why youre passionate about the opportunity. Your introduction is also a great place to summarize why you think youre a good fit for the role.

• Explain why youre qualified for the job in your body paragraphs

In one or two body paragraph, highlight your previous experience and accomplishments. Only include experience thats directly relevant to the job youre applying for.

• Connect your experience with the job requirements

• End with a confident closing paragraph

• Thank the hiring manager and politely sign off

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When Do You Need To Use A Plain Text Resume

There are two main reasons you need a plain text resume: when an employer requests one and when posting a resume to a job board.

Many larger companies run resumes through scanners to sort them and store them based on keywords, especially when they receive hundreds, sometimes thousands of resumes for one position. The scanners work best without formatting. Companies also may require you to send your resume as plain text within the body of an email, because they have a rule for opening attachments, in case a virus is present.

If you are posting your resume to a job board, it may also be a good idea to submit it as a plain text file. When you upload a resume to a job board, a “bot” will extract the information from your file and upload it into the job board fields. When a resume has formatting, the bot will sometimes misplace information when it fills in sections, requiring you to go through and edit. If you upload a plain text file, the bots should organize the information into the correct fields. This will save you a lot of time and extra effort.

Before spending the time to create a plain text document, be sure to read the job description carefully for the format the employer wants. Some may want a formatted Microsoft Word document, some may require an attached plain text document and others may request for you to paste plain text directly into an email.

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Add In Your Work Experience

This section will most likely be the bulk of your resume. Even if youre changing careers, employers still want to see where youve worked, what youve done, and the impact of that work to get a sense of your background and expertise.

Your Work Experience might be one entire category, or you might choose to break it up into Relevant Experience and Additional Experience to highlight the jobs that are most important for hiring managers to focus on. Either way, youll almost always want to have your most recent experience at the top and your older experience down below.

Within your work experience, youll want to include each official job title, the company , and the years you worked there. Below that, youll add in two to four bullet points explaining what you did in that job, the skills you built and exercised, the tools you used, and the results of what you did. If you accomplished a lot during your time there, focus on the responsibilities that made the most impact or youre the most proud of, as well as the ones that best align you with the job youre applying for . Its key here to list, if relevant, quantitative as well as qualitative accomplishments.

For example, you might write:

Associate Accountant, Finances and Co., Ann Arbor, MI

If you have a ton of experience and this category is starting to run long , consider kicking out your oldest jobs unless theyre super relevant to the job youre applying for, or extra impressive for your field.

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The Best Resume Format

When it comes to resume format and design, opt for a clean layout. A recent study from the job site Ladders found that resumes with so-called F-pattern and E-pattern layouts, which mimic how our eyes tend to scan web pages, hold a recruiters attention for longer than those aligned down the center, or from right to left.

There is no one specific “best” font for resumes. You should use the same font style throughout, Leavy-Detrick says, but play with different weights and sizes to draw a recruiters eye to key parts of your resume. Sans serif fonts usually work best Franklin Gothic, Calibri, and Avenir are three of Leavy-Detricks favorites.

How To Find Resume Templates In Word

When you open Word, go to New. On the bar on the left, select the New option if its not selected already. Scroll down and you will see the resume template options that Word provides. These templates are visually appealing and are ready-made to send with your job application.

To keep you from hunting the internet for resume templates that are both free and compatible with MS Word, weve listed some options below for you to customize with your own information right now.

Some of them come with variations so you can pick your favorite design. A few of them cater specifically to marketers.

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