When it comes to creating a resume that catches the eye of hiring managers and helps you land your dream job, the design and content of your resume are equally important. Your resume is your personal marketing tool, and using a resume template that’s easy to read and tailored to the job you're applying for can make all the difference. At Resume All Day, I’ve helped professionals at all career levels, from recent college graduates to seasoned managers, craft resumes highlighting their skills and experience in the best possible light. Here’s a breakdown of best practices for selecting a resume template and optimizing it with keywords.
1. Choose a Simple, Business-Friendly Template
While using flashy, creative templates with bold colors and unique designs is tempting, the key to a successful resume is simplicity. Hiring managers spend an average of just 7 seconds reviewing each resume, so it’s important that your resume is easy to skim. Stick to a clean, straightforward layout that emphasizes your experience and skills.
Why choose a plain design? A minimalist, business-friendly template makes your resume easy to navigate. Focus on a traditional, professional layout with clear sections like Contact Information, Professional Experience, Additional Experience (sometimes in the form of extracurriculars, activities, or volunteer work), Education, Skills, and Certifications. Avoid unnecessary graphics or illustrations that can distract from your qualifications. Use headings to clearly define each section, and ensure plenty of white space to make your resume look well-organized.
Font Selection: Stick with classic, easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. These fonts are standard in business settings and ensure your resume is legible on screens and printed. For font size, 10-12 pt for body text and slightly larger for section headings is ideal.
2. Incorporate Keywords from Job Descriptions
One of the best ways to ensure your resume gets noticed by hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) is by including the right keywords. ATS software scans a resume for keywords related to the job description, so it’s essential to tailor your resume for each job you apply to.
How to use job descriptions effectively: Start by reviewing the job description carefully, paying close attention to the required skills and qualifications sections. These are often a goldmine for keywords you should incorporate into your resume. If the job asks for experience with "project management," "data analysis," or "customer relations," make sure these phrases are naturally included in your resume if they align with your background.
Where to add keywords:
Professional and Additional Experience(s) Sections: Be specific about your achievements and use relevant keywords from the job description. For example, instead of saying, “Managed a team,” say, “Led a team of 10 in a cross-functional project to improve customer satisfaction by 20%.”
Additional Skills Section: Highlight technical and soft skills that match the job’s requirements. If a job description mentions proficiency in a particular software (like Salesforce, Excel, or JavaScript), ensure those tools are listed under your skills if applicable.
3. Avoid Overloading Your Resume with Keywords
While keywords are important, don’t overdo it. Keyword stuffing can make your resume sound unnatural and detract from your accomplishments. Instead, aim for a balanced approach where keywords are integrated seamlessly into your experience and skills. The goal is to demonstrate that you meet the job's requirements while keeping your writing clear and impactful.
A clean, simple resume template with a professional font and clear section headings will help your qualifications shine. Focus on readability with plenty of white space and avoid clutter. Additionally, incorporating relevant keywords from job descriptions is crucial for passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and catching the attention of hiring managers. By tailoring your resume with these best practices, you'll create a more effective, impactful document that boosts your chances of landing the job. Whether you’re just starting your career or aiming for a mid-senior level role, Resume All Day is here to help with our resume rewrite and critique service offerings.
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