How to Format Your Resume to Stand Out From the Competition

The facts are shocking. Only about 3% of people who apply for a job online will ever get contacted by a hiring manager. This might sound crazy, but it’s true.

Now, there are a number of reasons why (mostly software called applicant tracking systems, ATS, that weed out unqualified candidates almost instantly) …

But even with good looking resumes from qualified candidates, ones that get past the ATS and into the hiring manager’s hands, they only get about 6 seconds of the hiring manager’s attention, if that.[1]

So, it’s vital that your resume is formatted correctly. You absolutely have to get past the ATS, and you absolutely have to make that first impression stick.

Today, FindYourJobNow.com will share some tips on the best way to format your resume so it stands out from the competition; to up your chances at getting contacted by a hiring manager.

Let’s get to it!

When it comes to structuring your resume, there are three main types of formats to consider: chronological, functional, and a combination of both. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Chronological Resume: This is the most traditional and widely used format. It lists your work experience in chronological order, starting with the most recent job. This format is ideal if you have a strong work history with few gaps.
• Functional Resume: This format focuses more on your skills and qualifications than your work history. It's great for those who may have gaps in their employment, are changing careers or are new to the workforce. It should highlight transferable/soft skills, hard skills and achievements rather than a job-by-job work history.
• Combo Resume: This format blends elements of both chronological and functional formats. It allows you to showcase both your skills and your work history, making it ideal if you have relevant experience but also want to emphasize your skills. By the way, today’s employers are emphasizing skills based hiring over education based hiring.[2]

The best choice of resume type depends on your personal career journey and the role you're applying for. However, keep this in mind: the chronological format is often preferred by hiring managers, especially if you have a steady work history. But even if you use this format, don’t forget your skills!

Now, your resume should have a neat, clean, and easy-to-read layout. Don’t use hard to read fonts, flashy colors, or graphics. A simple, professional look will help make your resume easier to scan quickly. Remember, you have six seconds if you’re lucky. So don’t distract the hiring manager’s eyes with flash. Keep them glued with your skills.

• Stick to professional, easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. The font size should be between 12 points for the body text, and 14-16 points for headings.
• Standard margin widths of 1 inch on all sides of the page are recommended. This helps prevent your resume from looking crowded.
• Use just enough white space between sections and job titles to make the resume look uncluttered and organized, and well delineated so that those six seconds work in your favor.
• Make your resume easy to follow by defining the sections with bold headings and bullet points for better readability. Bullet points are a great way to highlight your skills.
• The order of content matters in resume formatting. The most critical information like your hard and soft skills should appear at the top, while less important details should be placed toward the bottom. Remember, its skills that employers are looking for… so show them off ASAP.

This might sound like a big chore, but you should tailor your resume for each job you apply for. It’s essential. If you take time to carefully read the job description and use keywords/skills listed in the job post to adjust your resume to that job, it will make a big difference. Plus, you’ll better your chances of getting past that ATS software we talked about up top.

Don’t be long winded. Remember, you have about 6 seconds to make that first impression, so keep it tight. Ideally, you want your resume to be about a page to two pages long, depending on your previous job experience. Either way, keep the job descriptions concise and highlight the skills/keywords the employer is looking for.

Now, this is important… very important. Never lie on your resume. You might think lying will help you get a job interview (and it might), but you’ll be figured out pretty quick if that interview ever happens… and you’ll kill your chances at ever getting a job with that company.

So now that your resume is formatted correctly, it’s time to apply for jobs!

Head over to our homepage at www.FindYourJobNow.com and use our advanced job search toolbar…

There’s a world of job opportunities waiting for you!

[1] If Your Resume Isn't 6-Second Worthy, Studies Reveal Recruiters Will Toss It

[2] The Skills-Based Hiring Revolution — and How to Make the Most of It