Increase Application-to-Interview Success Ratio
In today's competitive job market, the resume remains one of the most critical tools for capturing the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. While it may seem straightforward, crafting a resume that both highlights your strengths and resonates with hiring professionals can make all the difference. The "Seven-Section Resume" is a format designed to do just that, organizing your experience and skills into easily digestible, impactful sections. Here’s a breakdown of how you can build a resume that’s not only professional but also memorable.
1. Contact Information, Credentials and Branding Statement: A clear and professional contact section has three parts: contact information, portfolio access, and credentials. That includes your name, phone number, LinkedIn profile, and a concise branding statement can set the tone for your resume. This statement should summarize your career in a sentence, showing the reader what makes you unique and the value you bring.
2. Professional Summary and Core Competencies: Your summary should be a compelling overview of your professional life, tailored to highlight your core competencies that match the job description, focusing on technical skills, soft skills, and industry-relevant expertise. Keywords are essential here, as they can help your resume get past applicant tracking systems (ATS) and into the hands of hiring managers.. Remember, recruiters often scan for key points—so ensure this section conveys your impact concisely.
3. Selected Achievements: Firstly, prioritize achievements that are most-relevant to the particular role you are pursuing. Then, list these achievements in a bulleted format. Write each achievement as a one-sentence description, but be as specific as possible. While not appropriate for all achievements, include numbers and percentages where necessary.
4. Professional Experience: Highlight your most recent and relevant experiences, focusing on measurable achievements rather than job duties. Bullet points that include metrics or results can help show your real-world impact and align with what recruiters are looking for in a successful candidate.
5. Career Note: This section is often overlooked but can be especially powerful if you’re in a rapidly changing field. Include any additional certifications, workshops, online courses, or professional development that showcases your commitment to learning and staying relevant.
6. Education The education section should list degrees, certifications, and other training programs relevant to the position. Including your GPA is optional, but relevant coursework, projects, or honors can help you stand out if you are newer to the workforce.
7. Affiliations or Relevant Projects or Volunteering: Projects or volunteer experiences relevant to the job can demonstrate your skills and dedication outside traditional work environments. These can be key differentiators, especially if they reveal leadership, technical skills, or other unique experiences.
Your resume should be specific and concise, so limit it to no longer than two pages. If you have less than five years of experience, then include only one page of content. Include one to two pages of content if you have between five and ten years of experience. At most, include two pages of content if you have more than ten years of experience.
Provide enough detail about each role you’ve held in order to give a solid overview of your experience. However, don’t condense so much that you neglect to include important information about what you’ve achieved. Check the basic formatting and choose a professional font. Ensure it is no smaller than 10-point or 11-point in size.?
Finally, take some license to make your resume stand out. Some positions can attract many candidates. In this case, hiring managers process dozens of resumes at a time. Consider adding a header, putting key words or phrases in bold type, or using a small amount of color. You have more freedom to add artistic elements if you work in a creative field.?
This seven-section resume catches the eyes of recruiters and hiring managers. A concise and comprehensive resume helps you stand out from similar applicants.
Want to create a winning resume? Start building your seven-section resume today! Contact us and we can help you tailor your resume!
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