Recently i was searching for few profiles to be hired in my team and i reached to larger applicants audience, each and every individual shared a different format resume that led me think what can be best and ideal resume template that should be prepared and shared with recruiter? Is there any standard format available?
Today we live in Gen AI age where anything of this sort is quickly possible and people are sharing their AI succeess story quite openly, in this article i am highlighting the basic construct and format of a resume which should help you at least review your resume after you have paid to someone or got some result out of AI.
Why resume format is important?
It is very important to know what goes inside your resume and how much sense the content is making towards the job you are applying. right content requires right construct and here we are talking about it, let’s understand it better.
Importance of understanding job description
Before you think about writing your resume, do these things which will help you quickly put in the word and populate it.
- Read the job description carefully and note down main points
- Think about main points you want to put in your resume without considering resume format.
- Think about your achievements, certifications, awards and recognition
- Think about learnings from various subjects/projects or assignments
- Think about all those skills which will help you do the job
The Resume Format:
The important parts of your resume are: About you, your professional experience, Education and certification\ awards and the most important part is “About you” which is nothing but combination of 1-2 short lines where you describe what constitute you as a candidate typically involves your education background, your current role/state and your expertise. It certainly not about What you are? i.e. your name, age, sex, location, phone number etc. This section sets the tone of reader and help them go further into the resume to look into other information. This can be 2-3 lines or can be a paragraph or a cover letter depends on recruiters way of selecting a profile.
I have come up with a table where people from different walks of life can get a feel as to how to make your resume on your own and what goes in there, pick your resume format
Resume Format Profile |
The Construct i.e. What should be highlighted? |
Example of About You/Who you are? |
|
Student |
• About you •About your Education •About Educational Projects •About extracurricular activities •About your Aspiration, interest area •Any achievements |
I am an Engineer currently MBA Finance student at IFIM looking for internship in Software company in Finance division. |
|
Fresher Applying for Job |
• About You •Your Dissertation Project •Your Training attended •Your interest Area •Your education details •Any achievements |
I am a B Tech Graduate from NIT Bhopal looking for a job in Mechanical division or marketing department. |
|
Experience professional |
• Highlight Your experience in bullets •Highlight your last 2-3 roles in details •You can highlight your white papers or certifications •Highlight your skill areas and training •Your achievements and awards •Your companies you worked for •Your education background •Personal details |
MCA professional looking for architect level profile in a software development company in Bangalore. |
|
Skilled Worker (Painter, Electrician, fitter, Driver etc) |
• Mention your refence in Industry •Highlight Your experience in bullets •Highlight your last 2-3 roles in details •You can highlight your white papers or certifications •Highlight your skill areas and training •Any professional reference •Your achievements and awards •Your companies you worked for •Your education background •Personal details |
I am a Certified mechanics looking for job in Automotive jobs in Chennai |
|
Women restarting their career |
• Highlight Your experience in bullets mentioning you took a break. •Highlight your last role in details •Highlight anything you did extra in last role •Highlight your skill areas and training •Your achievements and awards •Your companies you worked for •Your education background •Personal details Need not mention why you quit last job |
Core Java Developer with 5+ years of experience in Accenture looking for a job. |
|
Industry Experts(Dr, CA, CS, chef, nurse etc) |
• References •Your professional association •Your certificates and background •Experience in bullets •Any interesting case you solved •Any awards recognition •Any charity association/interests |
MBBS DCH(London) looking for Department head role in any hospital in Bangalore. |
I found two websites very useful in case you wish to get more ideas on resume formats they are: Canva and Novoresume , while Canva is all about editing tool, Novo is about selecting and getting right resume. If you are struggling with how to search for a job without investing much time on resume then consider reading my another informative article here “How to get your resume shortlisted”
To conclude, this is a construct which should go every time you prepare for a company job, i am a strong believer fitment for the role, there is no job which would match exactly with your experience/education. It make sense that you read the job description and format your resume in such way that recruiter is impressed and consider you for the job. Resume Format is all about managing the content, hope this helps.
Good Luck!