It takes time to customize your resume for each job opening, but there's a good reason to do so. Susan Joyce of Work Coach Cafe says recruiters are not impressed by a one-size-fits-all approach.
Many job seekers use the chronological format, which lists all of your jobs from most recent to least recent. A chronological resume is useful if you have extensive experience working in your industry. If you have most of the skills listed in the job opening, a chronological resume makes sense.
However, you may want to use a functional resume when applying for certain positions. Instead of listing your work history in reverse chronological order, a functional resume highlights your skills and achievements. If you are trying to transition from one industry to another, you're better off using a functional resume to draw attention away from your lack of experience in the field. Functional resumes are also ideal if you have gaps in your employment history or want to transition to a civilian career after serving in the military.
The layout of your resume is especially important if you're applying to a company that uses an applicant tracking system. Tracking systems have trouble interpreting graphics and they sometimes filter out headers, so you need to present information in a way that is easy for the ATS to read. Careerealism contributor Kristin Johnson recommends removing graphics, unusual fonts, tables, bullet points and colorful text from any resume you submit through an ATS. She also recommends using a chronological layout instead of a functional one.
The layout of your resume has a big impact on how recruiters perceive you. Instead of sending the same version to every potential employer, customize the layout based on the requirements of the job. Doing so makes it easier to highlight relevant skills and show the recruiter you are a qualified applicant.
Photo Courtesy of Nazar Draganchuk at Flickr.com
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