Resume Formats to Improve Your Chances of Getting That Job Interview
Have you been downsized as a result of your company’s need to tighten the purse strings? Are you employed but want to find something more rewarding or in line with your values? Are you somebody who believes in always being prepared? If one of these sounds like you, you are probably wondering whether or not to write your own resume and/or how to make your resume different than those of the millions of other people who are seeking career changes or need to find work.
Of course, a resume that says nothing useful but looks really pretty on the page is not going to get you anywhere; however, out of two people with very similar credentials, the one who is going to get the interview is probably the one with the most attractive and most reader-friendly format.
Once upon a time, all resumes looked pretty much the same, but that no longer has to be the case. You can make your name recognizable and increase the chances that yours will be read thoroughly by using the appropriate format.
You always have the option of hiring someone else to write your cover letters and resumes for you, but with today’s resume builder software and websites, as well as the business community’s willingness to accept “non-traditional” resume formats, it is becoming easier and more economical to write your own.
The advantage to writing your own resume is that you will have it on hand, right there in your job search folder on your laptop, and you can easily open it up and tweak it for each position for which you want to apply. A lot of software packages and employment websites will even allow you to simply create one resume and then change the format with the simple click of a mouse.
If you hire a professional to create your resume and cover letter for you, you generally will have to choose which type you want, and that is the only one you will have. It is not quite as easy to change the entire format when you did not build it yourself. No matter which way you choose to get one built, make sure that it is easy to read, the pertinent information is readily available, and the information is clearly organized. No one has time to waste to sift through wordiness and unorganized structure.
