Résumé Tips for Young Professionals

Did you know the average hiring manager spends ten seconds or less reviewing a résumé? This is the very reason your résumé must be concise, organized, and easy to review. It does not have to contain your life’s story; it just has to get you in the door for an interview. In this challenging job market, it is imperative to create a competitive résumé. Follow the steps below to ensure that your résumé is telling the story employers want to hear.

So which résumé format should you choose? There really is no right way to write a résumé, however, below are four templates you can choose from to best display your experience.

Entry-Level Chronological Format
The chronological résumé is the most recognizable and traditional display of your job experiences and skills. This is the perfect format to use if you have little to no experience in the field you wish to enter.

Entry-Level Functional Format
The functional résumé focuses on your skills rather than your work history. It is most commonly used by entry-level individuals who are brand new to the job market. Are you in between jobs or totally changing careers? This template will work for you, too.
 
Do you like a little bit of each? You are in charge! Pick the sections you feel will best showcase your professional experiences and don’t forget to keep the résumé consistent and organized.

Experienced in your field and want to move up the career ladder? Check out these templates:

Experienced Chronological Format 1
Experienced Chronological Format 2

Other sections you may include:
Remember to only include these if they are relevant to the job you are seeking. If they have nothing to do with the position you want, it is best to leave them off. You don’t want to pull the attention away from the skills you do have that are related to your dream job. Some examples are:

1. Certifications
2. Languages other than English
3. Security clearance—military affiliation
4. Additional training: customer service or management
5. Volunteering or internships

Format Appearance
It is important to resist the urge to stand out. Using hot pink paper or crazy fonts will only make your résumé difficult to read and could result in employers passing you up. Use the guidelines below to create a winning résumé.

• Margins – Typically one-inch is ideal
• Paper – 8½ x 11-inch paper is standard in the US. Acceptable colors: white, cream, or ivory
• Spacing – one or one-and-a-half line spacing
• Length – Résumés should be no more than one to two pages, depending on your experience
• Font – Times New Roman or Arial: Size 10 to 12
• Bolding – Only bold section titles
• Consistency – Stay consistent in format and appearance

Tips
Your résumé is always a work in progress. No matter how happy you are in your current position, always keep it updated and remember:

1. Always tailor your résumé to the position you are looking for. Job descriptions are different and each company has different guidelines, so make sure your professional summary or objective reflects each organization’s needs.
2. Don’t include every detail about you and your career experience. Unless it is relevant to the job you are looking for, avoid telling ­employers everything about yourself. Remember: there is always the interview.
3. Proofread your résumé, and then proofread it again. Even a simple misspelling can deter an employer from interviewing you.
4. Use quantitative results that measure and prove you were/are an asset to any organization. Example: “Increased revenue by 20% by…” or “Trained five new hires every week on…”
5. Follow up on your résumé submissions. Call companies and ask them for the status on the positions you are applying to.
6. People naturally read left to right, so avoid centering section titles and over-bolding. This will distract from the fluidity of your résumé.