Picture this: you were browsing through the listing of a recruiting platform when you came across the dream job. You pull your resume quickly, adapt it to fit the job and company’s profile, write the intent letter, and send the documents satisfied with your work.
What’s wrong with this picture?
Well, there’s a high chance that you’ve sent the wrong type of resume for the specific job description.
Wait, what?
Isn’t making sure that the information in your CV is relevant to the position you’re applying for enough? While this step is paramount, the format of your resume, its structure, style, and the words you’re using can make a significant difference.
Let’s learn more!
Types of Resumes
Before you even begin creating your resume, it is crucial to determine the structure, style, and format you are going to use.
There are three basic types of resumes: chronological resumes, functional resumes, and combination resume.
Let’s discuss each format and understand their advantages and disadvantages.
- Chronological Resumes
This type of resume showcases your professional experience in reverse order. Chronological CVs begin with your latest job and work backward, mentioning your experience, accomplishments, and education.
This type of resume is perhaps the most popular. Because the structure is clear and logical, recruiters have an easy time assessing your qualifications and determining if you are the right fit for the job. Keep in mind, though that this format is better suited for people with extensive work experience. If you have gaps or minimal work history, then this type will only expose your weak points.
- Functional Resumes
This type of resume highlights your skills and achievements rather than your work experience. Of course, you should mention your work history too, but add this part at the bottom of the document. Instead of listing your past and current jobs, focus on impressing the employer with what you can do.
Functional resumes are perfect for graduates, people with gaps in their work history of over 12 months, or people that are seeking to change their career completely.
- Combination Resumes
As the name suggests, this type of resume integrates the features of both chronological and functional resumes. You should begin with a summary of your skills and achievements and continue with your work experience in reverse order. That way, you capture both your abilities and work history equally.
How to Make Your Resumes Stand Out
Do you want to make your resumes more captivating?
Then you should consider using action verbs.
Action verbs are physical or mental actions that inform the reader of what the subject is doing. Most resumes use the same dull words that employers have to hear time after time. They have become so cliché that they’ve lost their meaning and their ability to put your qualities in the spotlight. It’s similar to the words “new” or “tested” in advertising. You’ve heard them so many times that your brain stopped reacting to these buzzwords.
So, try spicing up your vocabulary with 200+ resumes action words such as “accomplished,” “designed,” “initiated,” “supervised,” “administer,” or “navigate.”
Words to Avoid in Your Resume
Similar to the action words that can boost your chances of scoring an interview, other buzzwords will make recruiters throw your resume to the NO pile upon seeing them.
Here’s a list of the top ten words that can break your career:
- Best of breed
- Go-getter
- Think outside the box
- Synergy
- Go-to-person
- Value-added
- Thought leadership
- Bottom line
- Results driven
- Team player
While words such as “hard-working and “team player” are not convincing on their own, describing situations in which you proved that you were a hard worker, for example, can help them employer asses your worth.
Conclusion
The first step to creating a resume that will stand out is choosing the type that is right for the job you’re applying for and your profile. Take your CV to the next level by including action verbs that highlight your skills and experience.
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