Ideas for a Differentiated Resume

They say, to get great work, you have to get noticed.

Now, if someone told you that as a job seeker you have under a minute to make a lasting impact on a potential employer, what would you do differently? Since initial communication begins with a resume, it is imperative that among all the curated resumes your resume stands out and creates recall value.

Remember, a resume that breaks the mould, sparks interest.

Tips for Creating a Professional Resume

When you’re putting together a resume, it’s important to have a clear objective. Being called for the job interview is the first one. Here are a few tips that will help you create a professional resume.

1. Organizations usually spell out what they’re looking for in the job description. Pay close attention to what has been highlighted, including the words and phrases used. As relevant, include some of these in your resume.

2. Your resume should not just be a chronological listing of where all you’ve worked. Use this opportunity to build interest in who you are as an applicant, the roles you have essayed, and the value added. It’s a good idea to start with your long-term goals and career summary.

3. Take a closer look at the job description. Think about what it would take to excel in the position that you’re applying for. Make a note of the skills and accomplishments you have that would be relevant and highlight them. For example, to highlight your quick problem solving skills, cover the situation, the actions taken, and the results you got.

4. In the course of your work life, you will have had success stories and learning that you can share during the face-to-face interview. But first, when you write about your accomplishments, remember to mention how those benefited the project, team, and in turn the organization.

5. Read through your resume a few times to ensure it makes for crisp reading. Frame simple sentences and avoid using excessive jargon.

6. Use an easily readable, medium-sized font. Ensure that you’ve taken care of the formatting, typos, and grammar.

Types of Resumes

Most resumes use one of following formats:

1. Chronological

This is most commonly used format. You start out by listing your work history, with the most recent organization/position listed first. A quick glance reveals the jobs held and their time period.

2. Functional

This format enables you to emphasize skills and experience, rather than chronological work history. It’s ideal for people new to the workforce, those looking to switch careers, or those applying for a job with very specific requirements. If you’d taken a sabbatical or were off work for a while, this is good format to use.

3. Combination

In a combination resume, you first list out your relevant skills and experience and then document your employment history in chronological order. This resume format is best suited for addressing questions on career changes and gaps. 

4. Creative

If you’re in a creative career, an imaginative and non-traditional resume is a good way of showcasing skills and experience. A visually appealing resume may work in place of providing work samples too, in some cases.

It is, however, equally important to have a traditional resume as a PDF or Word document. Reason being, applicant tracking systems (ATS) that a lot of organizations use to screen resumes won’t be able to process an infographic or a video resume.

Infographic resume

Video resume 1

Video resume 2

"A study by The Creative Group reveals that 70% of the employers prefer old-fashioned PDF/Word resumes even for creative jobs. Only about 20% employers liked infographics, and even fewer an online profile or a video resume."