Did you know hiring managers spend roughly one-third of their week sourcing candidates? When you picture how many resumes hiring managers must see each week, you’ll realize it’s vital you have a professional, eye-catching document. Many people struggle with this because they don’t know if they need a one-page resume or two pages. Both resume lengths have their place in the job search. Depending on where you are in your career, you may be able to use either option. Keep reading to learn more about when it’s the most appropriate to use a one-page resume. One-Page vs. Two-Page Resume: Which Do You Need? The best resume length for your job search will depend on a few factors. Consider the following before you choose a resume length: How much experience do you have? How many roles have you held? Do you have a lot of extras to add? Such as speaking engagements, publications, or awards. Are you entry-level? Are you a new graduate? The answer to all of these will help determine how much resume real estate you need. In the next section, we’ll go into more detail about when to use the one-page resume. When to Use a One-Page Resume If you don’t have a lot of experience to highlight or are still new to your career, a one-page resume may be the best option for your search. Several resume elements must be included on all resumes, which we’ll discuss in the next section, so you must ensure it all fits in a one-page format. The four following situations are the most common that require a one-page resume. Discover more about each: Entry-Level Entry-level candidates likely don’t have a lot of experience to highlight, so a one-page resume is perfect. A one-pager is enough information to include the summary, your areas of expertise, and any transferable skills learned through internships, other work experience, or classes. New Graduates As a new graduate, you have to have a one-page resume. Even if you worked during college and held several internships, a one-page is most appropriate for this situation. Focus on including only the most relevant and impactful information. Fewer Than 5 Years of Experience If you are still early in your career, a one-page resume might be a good fit for you. By focusing on the tips below, you can easily include the most impactful information. One Role for an Extended Time This one is rare, but some people stay in a single role for 10-20 years. In these situations, you can probably get away with a one-page resume. Even though the role was extensive, you still don’t want to overwhelm your reader. If this is the case, you want to highlight your basic duties and 5-8 key achievements. This leaves plenty of room for the summary, education, other credentials, and areas of expertise. Check out resumes written by Always Typing to compare a one-page resume template to a two-page resume. How to Make a One-Page Resume: Getting your information on one page isn’t as difficult as it might seem. There are a few tips and tricks we recommend to make sure you only highlight the relevant information. It’s also important to note that a one-page resume shouldn’t feel cramped or overwhelming to read. If you have used a super small font size and practically eliminated the margins and white space, you need to move to a two-page format. PRO TIP: You should stick to 10.5pt font or higher, and your margins shouldn’t be less than 0.5 all the way around the page. Tips for the one-page format: Target the Resume As with any resume, you want to target the resume with keywords. This will keep the top section of the resume more concise and give you more room for other information. Combine Experience if it Makes Sense If you are listing experience to show your transferable skills, it may make sense to consolidate similar roles. For example, if you were a cashier at Walmart and Old Navy during college, you can combine those roles because the duties were similar. Consolidate Achievements If possible, consolidate your achievements into one bullet. This is especially effective for a big impact you made that had a ripple effect across the organization. You can combine them under one bullet to create a more impactful bullet that will grab the reader’s attention. Only Showcase Your Top 3-5 Accomplishments It’s tempting to list all the accomplishments you’ve had because they’re important to you. It’s equally as tempting to include all details for an accomplishment. This is a bad move for a couple of reasons. First, you want to tease the hiring manager so they want to learn more. That way they will call you in for an interview and you have a talking point! Second, too many bullets are daunting to the reader and they may pass your resume over. So, focus on the most important and impactful accomplishments. Remove Irrelevant Information Some information is great to discuss when telling someone about yourself, but not fitting for a resume. For example, listing hobbies or all the clubs you joined in college doesn’t really matter in your job search. Before adding anything to the resume, stop and consider if it will provide value to the job you are seeking. If not, leave it off. Get Help Writing Your Resume Today Now you understand when a one-page resume is appropriate in your job search. A single-page resume can help you stand out from a crowd of overwhelmingly long resumes. You must understand resume writing standards and guidelines to ensure you include all elements in a shorter document. If you still have questions or aren’t sure if it fits your unique situation, we are here to help! At Always Typing Resumes, we have helped hundreds of customers just like you in writing professional resumes that helped them land their dream jobs. Check out our services today to learn more.
How to Use the STAR Method in Resumes
The average hiring manager spends 6-7 seconds looking at an incoming resume. If you want your resume to get read more, you have to make it shine. This includes the format, the font, and most importantly, the writing. You may have heard of behavioral interview questions that employers use to get information from candidates. You’re supposed to use the STAR method for answering them. Did you know that you can apply the STAR method to resumes? Applying the STAR method of responding to interview questions to how you write your resume takes it to the next level. Keep reading to learn more. What Is the STAR Method? STAR stands for: Situation Task Action Result It is a popular interview technique that recruiters and hiring managers use to determine the most qualified candidate. The method is a behavioral technique to get the most important information from a candidate about a specific accomplishment. Situation The situation is the challenge you are faced with. This can be asked in a number of ways, but is often presented as “describe a time you solved a problem at work.” You need to keep this in mind for later in the article when we cover applying this to resumes. Task The task is what you were assigned. What problem did you have to solve? Action The action outlines what you did to solve the problem. What steps were taken or activities completed to resolve the issue? Result The result is the outcome of your action. Did you save the company money? Did the solved problem have a ripple effect across the organization with several improvements? The result will be the impact when writing a resume. Why Should I Use It? There are many benefits of using the STAR method when writing your resume. It not only shows a clear accomplishment, but it also impresses recruiters. Other benefits include: You can communicate concisely and confidently about your achievements You understand your qualifications and impact You have the opportunity to outline relevant accomplishments for the job you are targeting You have impactful and detailed descriptions The method focuses on your achievements and what you have completed for an organization Allows your resume to tell a story vs. outlining tasks Positions your resume competitively against other candidates Creates many talking points for the resume Additionally, when you apply the STAR method to your writing, the reader can see the value you bring to an organization instead of just hearing about it during the interview. How to Use the STAR Method in Resumes It’s fairly simple to apply this interview method to your resume. You just need to think a little differently than you normally do. When considering your accomplishments and job duties, think about the whole picture. When you can answer each element of the STAR method, you’re ready to put it all together. At times, the situation may be your current job role. There may be many results and actions taken for that specific function. For example, let’s say you were hired to transform a failing organization into a profitable one. That is the situation and you would include it in the paragraph explaining your duties. The impact of that transformation, the tasks you were assigned, and the actions taken led to the results. These are more than likely going to be accomplishments. We should note that many situations have lengthy tasks, actions, and results to discuss. You do not want to overwhelm the reader or include every detail in your resume. When adapting this method for your resume content, you want to hit the highlights and key factors. This also opens up a lot of discussion points for the interview. PRO TIP: Your resume isn’t meant to be a chronicle of everything you’ve done during your career. It should highlight the most important achievements–those things that will make an interviewer want to ask you questions. STAR Method Resume Examples There are two main ways people use it in a resume. One is the main bullet with the situation and the following bullets are for the other aspects. The other is a consolidated bullet that hits all the elements. We’ll include an example of both: One main bullet with sub-bullets: Acted as key business development leader, tasked with increasing revenue and supporting sales staff to maximize opportunities and outcomes. Identified ongoing gap in professional development and training within sales staff. Implemented training checklist, created new curriculum, and ensured each employee completed required training sessions. Achieved 400% revenue growth. Consolidated bullet: Drove 400% revenue growth by resolving ongoing professional development and training issues within sales staff; implemented training checklist, created new curriculum, and ensured each employee completed required training sessions. Both of these examples are great and get the message across to the reader. Resumes do have length requirements, so the amount of experience and how much space you have will help guide you in which option is best for your document. Get Professional Resume Help Today Now you understand more about how to adapt the STAR method for resumes. We hope you have a clearer picture on how to position achievements on your document! If not, we can help. Our resume writing services not only use the STAR method for resume writing, but we also provide a professional, ATS-friendly format that gets you past the Applicant Tracking System and impresses hiring managers. Check out our services today to learn more.
What Is a Hybrid Resume and When Do You Use It?
As of March 2022, there were 6 million unemployed citizens in the US. That’s a lot of potential competition for your next job search. It’s clear why having a great, professionally-written resume is a must if you want to succeed. But what resume format is the best? There are functional, hybrid, and reverse-chronological resumes. Some people say two pages, others swear it has to only be one. Knowing which format is best for your specific situation and when to use each is required for job seekers. In this article, we’ll discuss the hybrid resume. You’ll find out what it is, when to use it, and get a few tips on how to write one. Keep reading to learn more. What Is a Hybrid Resume Format? A hybrid resume combines the best of a reverse-chronological and skills-based resume to create a document highlighting your strengths and experiences. This type of resume format showcases your functional skills ahead of your professional experience to give the reader a clearer picture of your abilities. Hybrid resumes are a standard format found in job searches and don’t give recruiters a weird vibe as functional resumes do. And the best part is they are ATS-friendly, meaning your resume will pass through the automated filters when written correctly. A hybrid resume has a great format for showcasing specific qualifications or skillsets. This is especially important when you need to position yourself as an expert in these areas or highlight them as transferable skills. Hybrid Resume Examples: Your hybrid resume should contain the following sections: Your name and contact information are in the header A heading for your resume A professional summary showcasing your greatest strengths and attributes An area of expertise or core competencies section A selected accomplishments or summary of qualifications section Your professional experience comes next, in reverse-chronological order Education and credentials Any additional information closes out the resume What makes this stand out as a hybrid format is the selected accomplishments and summary of qualifications section. This is the area where you can highlight the most important skills for the job you are targeting, either through specific accomplishments throughout your career history or a paragraph detailing your knowledge. Here is an example of the qualifications section for a sales professional: Drove revenue growth of $500K by forging lasting relationships with key account holders, upselling products, and securing new opportunities within network. Closed 67% more leads due to exceptional communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills that improved both customer satisfaction and engagement. Attended tradeshows, industry events, and conferences to maintain vigilant contact with existing clientele and expand network. As you can see, we only listed three bullets. This section is meant to be a quick snapshot of your strengths. Professional experience is still the star of the show and should remain the focus of the resume. When Should You Use a Hybrid Resume Template? Now that you know how to set up a hybrid resume, you’re probably wondering when to use it. There are a few different situations where a hybrid would be most appropriate. Those situations include: When You Are Changing Careers If you are changing your career, you likely don’t have experience in your new industry and role. You may be tempted to use a functional resume that places the focus only on career achievements. But, using a hybrid resume allows you to display the transferable skills that are required for the change, and it doesn’t come with the same taboo as a functional resume. The hybrid resume will help recruiters and hiring managers see you are a viable candidate with a lot to offer despite your lack of experience in the area. When You Are a Subject Matter Expert Another situation that is great for a hybrid resume is when you are an expert in the job you are applying for. Including a section to highlight your achievements will make your resume stand out to readers and show them just how accomplished you are. You can include awards, honors, or specific highlights to position yourself as a subject matter expert with a hybrid format. When You Recently Graduated or Are an Entry-Level Applicant On the flip side, maybe you are a newbie and don’t have any expertise at all. A hybrid resume will allow you to outline key projects or skills you learned in college that will be beneficial in the workforce. If you completed internships during school, putting them in this section would be a great way to show potential employers you do have some hands-on experience and are willing to learn more. When You Have Job Gaps There are thousands of reasons why a person may have career gaps. A lot of people spend time learning new skills through volunteering or taking extra courses. A hybrid resume lets you showcase not only those abilities but your other strengths. This way, when the reader gets to the gap, it’s not as important to them because you’ve already outlined your strengths. Get Help Writing a Hybrid Resume Today Now you better understand what a hybrid resume is and when to use it in your job search. People in all stages of their careers may benefit from a hybrid resume, so you must look at your situation and career progression to determine if it’s the best fit for you. Many people struggle with defining their career achievements and hire a professional resume writer to help them. If you are one of those people, we are here to help you land your next dream job! Check out our services or contact us today for more information.
The Question Everyone Asks: Should a Resume Be in the Past Tense?
People who hire a professional resume writer increase their chances of being hired by 32%. One reason for this is that professional resume writers know how to navigate resume writing rules and the ATS so your resume shines. It’s hard to write a professional resume if you’re wondering should a resume be in the past tense or what sections to include. A professional knows the tips and tricks to make your resume the best version it can be. However, it’s still important for you to understand the strategy behind a resume. In this article, we cover resume tenses and why they’re important. Why Is Resume Tense Important? First, resume tense is important because it lets the reader know if you are currently doing something or if it’s in the past. Using present and past tense throughout your resume helps to weave your story in a compelling way that keeps readers engaged. Second, it’s a must for consistency. One of the big differentiators between a professionally written resume and one that is not is consistency. Using the same tense for each section is a must to make your document as professional as possible. Should a Resume Be in the Past Tense? There are many debates about what tense a resume should be in. Some people wonder “should I use past tense in my resume?” while others contemplate “shouldn’t my resume be in the present tense?” The answer is…you should use both. Writing a resume is a strategic process where you target your next job while also highlighting your accomplishments and strengths. So, it makes sense that you would use past tense for your previous jobs and accomplishments. This is because they have already happened and aren’t a current or ongoing part of your career. Example Past Tense Verbs Here is a list of common past tense verbs used in resumes: Managed Maintained Oversaw Led Directed Conceptualized Organized Coordinated Planned Of course, there are many more. A professional writer can help you to diversify the language used in your document so it isn’t repetitive or boring to read. When Should a Resume Be in the Present Tense? On your resume, the current job tense is always present. This is because you are currently and actively completing these functions. However, when writing the accomplishments for this section, you must use the past tense. For example, if you won an award three years ago, it wouldn’t make sense to have it in the present tense. It’s completed at this point and is a part of your past. Additionally, when writing a professional summary for the top of the resume, you should use the present tense. This is where you communicate your value and strengths, so it should be current. Example Present Tense Verbs Here are a few present tense verbs used commonly in resumes: Direct Improve Advise Reduce Strategize Collaborate Supervise Train Prioritize This list is not exhaustive. It’s best to use as many different verbs as you can throughout your resume. Present Tense Resume Example For those interested in seeing present tense verbs in action, here is a short example: Direct daily operations for team of 15 while defining strategies and business plans. Lead team in executing projects, initiatives, and recommended upgrades. Arrange weekly meetings to discuss progress and brainstorm new ideas. Collaborate with leaders to plan various events to increase customer and employee engagement. Past Tense Resume Example And here is the past tense example: Oversaw talented team of 30 in delivering large-scale projects to improve processes, systems, and procedures. Partnered cross-functionally with departments to execute strategies and plans focused on operational excellence, cost savings, and business expansion. Slashed expenses by implementing internal controls and budget procedures. Mixed Tense Resume Example A mixed-tense example would be a present role with accomplishments. For example: Lead daily functions while supervising all accounts receivable and payable activities. Reconcile accounts, identify discrepancies, and consolidate accounts. Monitor internal controls and expenses to maintain profit margin. Saved $500K in annual costs by eliminating external payroll firm and moving functions in-house. Spearheaded improvement project to assess accounting controls and processes, identify areas for improvement, and recommend changes to executive leadership. As you can see, the paragraph explaining the daily functions is in the present tense. This area includes activities you do every day or on the regular. The accomplishments are achievements you have already completed, so they are in the past tense. Why You Shouldn’t Use Plural or Gerund Your resume is written in first-person, with an assumptive “I” at the beginning of each sentence. When you start each sentence with a verb, it should be singular. Adding -s, -es, or -ing to the verbs, in the beginning, can throw off the entire resume strategy and how it reads. Adding an ending to verbs throughout a sentence is okay, like in the examples above. The reason for this is that you want your resume to read like you are speaking directly to the person looking at it. “I managed this” or “I directed that.” It doesn’t make sense to include -s because you wouldn’t say “I manages this” or “I directs that.” Get Help Today Writing Your Resume This article answers the question “should a resume be in the past tense?” We hope you have a better understanding of when to write your resume in past or present tense. We know it is confusing at times to know all the resume writing rules. That’s why we are here to help! Don’t spend your time wondering what tense to use in your resume, leave it to the professionals. Contact us today to get started on your new career path.
Functional Resume: How to Write One and When to Use It
On average, 118 people apply for a single job opening. When you think about that, it’s clear why having a great resume that showcases your strengths is a must if you want to get your dream job. Of course, what a great resume looks like varies from person to person. While hiring managers expect to see a reverse-chronological resume, some job seekers need a functional resume. If you think you need a functional resume, then keep reading. You’ll learn more about what it is, when to use it, and how to write it. What Is a Functional Resume? There are three widely accepted resume formats: chronological, functional, and hybrid (sometimes called combination). The chronological resume lists your employment history in reverse chronological order. A functional resume, often called a skills-based resume, focuses on skills and achievements instead of dates. And the combination resume has both chronological and functional sections. Click to see a functional resume example. When Should You Use a Functional Resume? There are many different reasons someone would need a functional resume. The most common reason is that you have gaps in your work history. This could be due to several occurrences, but it makes your resume look less than appealing nonetheless. Another common reason is people who have held too many jobs. For example, say you have worked for a bunch of different companies in the same type of role and don’t want to look like a job hopper. You could use a functional resume to focus on the skills rather than where you have worked and for how long. Additionally, career changers often turn to a functional resume. When changing to a new career, you don’t have the experience they want to see. But…you probably have more than a few of the skills needed. This type of resume focuses on those so you can make yourself an attractive candidate in a new industry. It’s important to note that functional resumes are not ideal and should only be used when absolutely necessary. Many recruiters are wary of functional resumes and feel job seekers have something to hide when using them. How to Write a Functional Resume: The functional resume format is a bit different from the traditional reverse-chronological document. Contact Information At the very top of your resume, you must have your contact information. This seems like a given, but it’s not. You have to have a way for the hiring manager to contact you! When creating this section, include: First and last name Email (please make it a professional one) City, state, and zip code Phone number LinkedIn link And that’s it! Many recruiters have turned to social media to beg job applicants not to put their entire address on resumes anymore. It creates a host of security concerns for companies. There have also been instances of discrimination against job seekers based on their address. Create a Summary Directly following your contact information, you should have a high-level professional summary. This should be an introduction to the reader that captures their attention about who you are and what you bring to a company. An example summary: Highly ambitious sales professional with vast experience in forging lasting relationships with key clients and account holders to maximize sales and revenue. Leverage written and verbal communication skills to drive client engagement and retention. Detail-oriented individual able to collaborate with teams to facilitate culture of cohesion and accountability. Highlight Your Strengths This is the star of the show for a functional resume. You want to showcase your strengths and competencies in this section. It should be the largest one on the document. You should list each skill with a few examples or a paragraph about it. Here is an example: Communications: articulate communicator able to convey vital information to leadership while applying interpersonal skills to build relationships with clients. Alerted leadership of ongoing documentation error causing clients to receive inaccurate account closure notices, leading to 30% reduction in escalated calls. Engaged with key clients, forging strong relationships and influencing decision-making to generate $15K in additional revenue. Work History When writing your work history, you want to keep it short and to the point. You should only list the past 10-15 years of experience. If you have held several roles with the same title, it’s ok to combine them to make it less obvious. It should look like this: Great Companies, Somewhere, VA: Sales Agent (2012-2022) Other Great Companies, Everywhere, VA: Sales Associate (2008-2012) If you have large gaps, you should leave the years off completely. It would look like this: Great Companies, Somewhere, VA: Sales Agent Other Great Companies, Everywhere, VA: Sales Associate The Best Company, Nowhere, VA: Sales Representative Credentials Your credentials section will include: Education Training Certifications or licenses You should only list training or certifications relevant to the job you are targeting. For example, if you are a certified camp counselor but are applying for a financial advisor role, it’s not important to list. Additional Information This section is optional and should only be included if there is room. Common information found here includes: Awards or honors Publications Technical proficiencies Board memberships Professional organization membership Get Your New Resume Started Today Now you understand what a functional resume is and when you should use it. If you are still confused or just don’t want to write it, we are here to help! There are many different types of resumes, and it’s difficult to know which is best. This is why hiring a professional resume writer is a good idea. Check out our services or contact us to get started.
What is an applicant tracking system (ATS) and how do you get past it?
What do you know about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)? Job seeking can sometimes be compared to throwing your resume into a black hole. You go through 100 listings on any job search website and complete the online application with zero results. Ever have that happen? The problem is that you’re probably not putting the correct keywords into your resume. When you hit “Submit” on an online application, it isn’t automatically emailed to the hiring manager. It goes through this computer system that scrubs your resume for specific keywords that are found in the job description posted by the company. It also looks for years of experience and education, among other things. Know your audience & have a back-up plan Your resume must be written to impress 2 audiences — the ATS and a hiring manager. Having a document that speaks to a computer and a human being can be a daunting task. Many resume writers will tell you that you need to stand out in the sea of sameness by adding some personality to your resume through design. The name of the game is to always have your resume at the top of the stack. What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)? An ATS is a software application used by the majority of companies to manage and streamline their recruitment process. Its primary function is to scan and assess the multitude of resumes and job applications received for a vacancy. The ATS serves as an automated screening tool, helping recruiters and HR professionals identify the most qualified candidates swiftly and efficiently. How Does an ATS Work? ATS systems work by parsing and analyzing the content of resumes and job applications. They are programmed to search for specific keywords, qualifications, and other criteria that match the job description. The system assigns a score to each application, ranking candidates based on their alignment with the job requirements. Some resume No-No’s related to the ATS Once you’ve narrowed down your target career path and are getting ready to apply for jobs it’s important to be sure your resume will not be rejected. Here are some tips to help make sure your resume won’t end up in a digital nowhere land: Jargon and buzzwords: (1) they are probably not lending any value to your resume that will get you past the ATS, and hiring managers hate seeing “experienced go-getter,” self-motivated,” and “dedicated, reliable individual.” Overly designed resumes: Many job seekers feel like they’ll stand out from the crowd by having a creative-looking resume. The fact is that ATS cannot properly parse information from these resumes as they can’t read the information in text boxes, graphs, charts, or tables, nor can they read images. If the ATS can’t read it, it will be rejected. Font & margins: Make sure you’re using the right font, keep the font size to at least 10pt, and have margins that are no less than 1/2″. Some acceptable fonts are Calibri, Cambria, Garamond, Tahoma, Trebuchet, and Veranda. Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume for each job application by incorporating relevant keywords and phrases from the job posting. Mirror the language used in the job description to increase your chances of being flagged as a strong match. Use a Standard Resume Format: Stick to traditional resume formats like the reverse-chronological style. ATS systems are more adept at parsing and understanding these formats, ensuring that your information is correctly interpreted. Optimize Your Keywords: Identify the essential keywords related to your industry and profession. Include these keywords strategically in your resume, especially in the skills, qualifications, and work experience sections. Watch Your File Type: Save your resume in a format that the ATS can easily process, such as .docx or .pdf. Avoid less common file types to ensure compatibility. Include Relevant Sections: Make sure your resume contains essential sections like contact information, a summary or objective statement, work experience, education, and skills. ATS systems may not recognize content placed in unconventional sections. Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, quantify your achievements with specific numbers and percentages. This makes it easier for both ATS systems and human recruiters to assess your qualifications. Proofread and Avoid Spelling Errors: An error-free resume is essential. Spelling mistakes or typos can lead to automatic rejection by the ATS. Review your resume carefully to ensure accuracy. Mastering the ATS is Your Pathway to Unlocking Job Opportunities An Applicant Tracking System is a crucial element of modern recruitment, helping companies efficiently manage a large volume of applications. To succeed in today’s job market, it’s essential to understand how ATS works and how to tailor your resume to navigate it successfully. By customizing your resume, optimizing keywords, and following best practices, you can increase your chances of passing through the ATS and getting one step closer to your desired job interview. Remember, with the right approach, the ATS can become your ally in landing the job of your dreams. Let us help you not only understand the intricacies of ATS but also create a winning resume that breezes through these digital gatekeepers. Let us help you not only understand the intricacies of ATS but also create a winning resume that breezes through these digital gatekeepers. Contact Us Today
