If it's been a few years since you've applied for a job, there's a good chance your resume needs to be updated. Your resume needs to be continually freshened up with your current work achievements, training and new skills to give you an edge in the job market. When deciding how to format a resume that will get you noticed, consider changing how you present your skills by choosing a hybrid resume format.
1. Begin by looking at the job requirements for the position you want. If it's in a different field than you are currently working in, a hybrid of a chronological and a functional resume will allow you to show skills that you have attained in previous positions that are applicable to the job you want. Using this format is also a good idea if you are applying for an entry-level position. If the job requirements and field closely align with your current job, a chronological resume format will show employers how you've gained responsibility through the years.
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2. Next, check over your contact information to ensure that it is still current. The email address you list should be a personal one and not from your current employer. If you've listed a website with your contact information, make sure that the website link is still correct and is active.
3. After updating your contact information, write a summary statement that introduces yourself and your qualifications in a four-to-six-line paragraph. This summary statement serves as an overview of your abilities and experience, and it should be tailored specifically to show how you would benefit your prospective employer.
4. Next, if you are formatting a hybrid resume, list skills you have developed from your past experiences as they relate to the job you currently want. For example, if you've worked as a cashier and want to be a medical receptionist, these skills may include "Customer Service," "Cash Handling Experience," and "Detail-Oriented."
5. After your skills section, include your education or work experiences section. When figuring out how to format a resume, your core strengths should be presented first. If you are a recent graduate just beginning your career, update your resume so your education and degree are included first. If you have significant work experience, put your work history first.
6. Next, update your work experiences by writing your current position's title. Follow the position with the name of the business, its location and your employment dates. Look over your previously listed work experiences, and update the bullet points to apply to the job you want. For example, if you currently work in human resources and want to be a human resource manager, demonstrate your leadership qualities. When learning how to format a resume, these bullet points should be as specific, using numbers when possible.
In a hybrid resume format, because you've already mentioned specific work experiences in your skills section, it's acceptable to just write the position title, business name, location and the dates you were employed.
7. After your work experiences, update your education section with additional degrees, professional development courses, special seminars and training. Each entry should include the name of the degree or course, where it was obtained and the location. Bullet points can then be used to add detail to your educational qualifications and experiences.
8. When learning how to format a resume, if adding your recent experiences made your resume longer than three pages, consider editing it so employers aren't overwhelmed by the length. No more than one page per 10 years of experience is a rule to keep in mind.
Switching career paths may be a daunting task, but with the right resources, you can craft a resume suited to any position you want.
When learning how to format a resume, the resume templates and sample resumes on LiveCareer can make the process easier.
About the Author
About the Author
LiveCareer Staff Writer
At LiveCareer, we live and breathe the belief that we can help people transform their work lives, and so do our contributors. Our experts come from a variety of backgrounds but have one thing in common: they are authorities on the job market. From journalists with years of experience covering workforce topics, to academics who study the theory behind employment and staffing, to certified resume writers whose expertise in the creation of application documents offers our readers insights into how to best wow recruiters and hiring managers, LiveCareer’s stable of expert writers are among the best in the business. Whether you are new to the workforce, are a seasoned professional, or somewhere in between, LiveCareer’s contributors will help you move the needle on your career and get the job you want faster than you think.
