How can you create a professional resume quickly?

A chronological resume is typically the best way to tell your story - functional resumes are often way-too-hard to follow. If you have earlier experience that you want to highlight, you can do that in your executive summary (not via a functional resume format).

It's critical to remember the audience. Chronological usually does the best job of telling your story. However, regardless of the format you choose, make sure the most compelling information is easily accessible. Consider using bold fonts for job titles or achievements, and incorporate industry-specific keywords to catch their eye. Moreover, always tailor your resume to the specific role you're applying for. A one-size-fits-all approach can make your application seem impersonal and lessen your chances of standing out in the crowd.

Chronological is almost always the right choice unless you've got a solid reason to go with the functional format. Gaps or career changes are nothing to be concerned about; they always have a good reason behind them, which often adds to your overall story -- which is more important than the format.

1/ Begin by formulating an impactful professional summary. Your opening statement should engage recruiters by succinctly highlighting your key expertise and the value you bring. 2/ Zero in on your proudest achievements over mere job responsibilities. Share quantifiable successes and how you’ve made a tangible difference in your past roles. 3/ Aim for clarity and brevity; your resume should be a laser-focused document ideally spanning only 1-2 pages. This will ensure that every word on the page serves a purpose and maintains the reader’s attention. 4/ Customize your resume for the specific position you seek. Analyze the job description and mirror the language and requirements to make it clear that you are an ideal fit for the role.

There are a lot of really good templates out there (Job Search Journey is my recommended go-to for job seekers on a budget), and a lot of not-so-great templates. Keep in mind that fancier formats are not better. The *content* of the resume is what matters most. Ensure the template is easy to read, translates well into ATS, and shares strong, relevant details.

Its engaging Article also very useful for jobseeker before writing any Professional Resume. I highly recommend this article.

Using a well-designed resume template can greatly expedite the resume creation process. Templates provide a professional structure, making it easier to organize your information. However, remember to personalize it to reflect your unique strengths and experiences. The goal is to stand out while maintaining a professional appearance.

Starting from a basic template will help you get the ball rolling; build on it and tailor it to your journey, your unique experiences and skills.

This should be the last step. If you write the summary last you'll be far more confident with what you're writing. It's how I advise people to do it on my CV writing course and how I do it for clients myself. Other useful tips: ??Ask others to describe you and use their words as inspiration. ?? Include lots of personality, boring resumes are a thing of the past. ?? Don't waffle, edit it down to about 100 words. ?? Use interesting adjectives and try and avoid cliches. ?? Think about your USP, why you and not someone else? Get this across. ?? Write it in first person. My CV template is free on my website payforprecision.com, my book is on Amazon and my course is only ￡49. 100 recommendations on here show I know what I'm talking about ??

I learned from my years of experience that a concise yet impactful resume summary or objective is essential. This is your chance to grab the recruiter's attention and give them a glimpse of what you bring to the table. Rather than just listing skills, share how your skills have led to tangible results. Tailor this section to the specific role you're applying for, highlighting relevant achievements and qualities that match the job description.

Would say not a resume summary but the professional summary and you could write that at the beginning of the resume, where you can add key works, and overall information about your expertise.

Pro tip about that opening bit on your resume: Think of your summary or objective like your elevator pitch—it's your quick moment to shine. Avoid generic, overused lines. Instead, show some enthusiasm and let them see you've really done your homework about the company.

A summary can build a bridge between your cover letter and CV/Resume -- it's worth investing some time into no matter what stage you're at.

While you of course want to align your resume with impacts that match the keywords that your target role has on the job description, going for a 1:1 match on every line doesn't always translate well. Odds are, at least a few of your excellent skills and achievements will not fit into the cookie-cutter lines for your target role. Do not let that discourage you from adding them to your resume alongside content that's a perfect match! Your personal brand is larger and more dynamic than a job description. You can allow that brand and the triumphs of it to shine through to accentuate your suitability for your target role. It's a balancing act, but don't be afraid to tinker.

Rather than just listing skills and achievements, bring them to life with the value they created or their impact. Pick out keywords from a job description and weave them naturally into how you describe your skills and work history.

Many job seekers overlook the importance of optimizing their resume for ATS. These systems help employers filter through numerous applications, so your resume needs to be ATS-friendly to even reach human eyes. Use relevant keywords from the job description, but do so naturally. A lot of people would say that keyword stuffing can help, but it can actually hinder your chances if it doesn't read well.

Use a ChatGPT prompt such as: Here is a job description [job description]; please pick out the top ten keywords. Use those keywords naturally in both your CV/Resume and your Cover Letter. Even though an ATS will likely be used, a human will read your CV/Resume at some point, so it needs to be easy to consume.

Yes, always check grammar and if your resume is easy to read and understandable even for somebody that isn't from the field you work in. And would not suggest using too many abbreviations in your resume.

Proofreading out loud and recording yourself is a good way to ensure everything flows naturally. Ask a friend, mentor, or trusted colleague to review it and provide feedback. Grammarly is one of the best tools to help with grammar, spelling etc.

Don't wait till you're job hunting to remember all the awesome stuff you did at work. Trust me, it's easy to forget those wins. Keep a running doc and jot down your achievements as they happen. Not only does it make updating your resume a breeze, but it's also a great morale booster on those tough days. Give it a shot.

If you haven't written a resume in years, I recommend starting with a *brain dump.* Take a few minutes each day to brainstorm your results and highlights - then use this to put together your new resume.