How to List Education on a Resume

In the last few weeks I've worked with several job seekers to finish up their resumes. I picked eight of them with varying types of Education sections. Here they are, along with links to sample resumes with Ph.D., Master's, and Bachelor's degrees, as well as no college degree at all. Check them out...

A Resume Template Is a Smart Resume Tool

If you don't want to spend time fooling around with details of resume formatting (margins, indents, and all that), think about using a professional resume template. In this post I explain the three types of resume templates and how to pick the right one for your situation. Continue reading...

Should I Use a Resume Template to Create My Resume?

Some people think it's cheating to use a resume template to create a resume. I think it's a smart move. Why start with a blank screen when you can use a template that has all the formatting done for you. Here's how to pick the right resume template for your job search. Continue reading...

How to Pick the Best Resume Format

Here's a list of resume formats, templates, and articles to help you understand which resume format is best for you. Continue reading...

2 Reasons Not to Use Tables in Your Resume Template

If you have trouble using tables in Word (and most people do) don't use a resume template that has tables in it. Here are two reasons tables are a bad idea. Continue reading...

Achievement Resume: The Functional Resume's Little Brother

The achievement resume format is sort of like a functional resume. The work history is at the end in its own concise compartment. And the achievement statements are in the body of the resume. But here's the difference: there are no skill headings. Continue reading...

Why Employers Don't Like Functional Resume Formats

Job seekers like functional resumes because they seem like good solutions to tough work history problems such as gaps in employment and career change. But it's really not a good idea to use one because employers don't like them. Here's why: Continue reading...

How to Use a Functional Resume Template to Create a Chronological Resume

If you aren't getting call-backs from your resume, try this: Create your resume using a functional resume template. Then turn it into either a chronological or combination resume format. Here's how...

How to Use Sub-Bullet Points on a Resume

Recently I worked with some folks from my Ready-Made Resumes builder to review their resumes. There was one small trick we used on three of them to make their info quick to read: sub-bullet points on a resume. I want to share some parts of their "before" and "after" resumes so you can see what we did. Continue reading...

Resume Format for Career Change

This video is by AmazCover. She's talking about the Combination Resume Format, which I agree is great for career change.

How Does a Resume Database Work With Your Resume?

Produced by Dice TV, this video explains what happens to your resume when it moves through a corporate resume system (Applicant Tracking System or ATS). You'll learn some important do's and don'ts for making a resume for ATS success.

Functional Resume Format vs. Chronological Resume Format

Why recruiter Peggy McKee prefers the chronological resume format over the functional resume format:

Vote on These Video Resumes

I picked a few video resumes off of YouTube for us to look at. Each represents a slightly different style. One is not in English but even if you can't understand what the job seeker is saying, I still think it's deserving of a review.

I thought it would be interesting to hear what you think of them. So, tell us:

• Which ones do you like, and why?
• What do you think makes a video resume a good one?

Sanjita's video resume:


David Pedersen's video resume:


Melonie Jeska's video resume:


Emily Doty's video resume:


Denis Denisov's video resume:


Theo Ramsey's video resume:

The Coolest, Best Color Scheme for Your Resume

Oh, please don't say "grey on white" or "blue on white" is a good choice for your resume because it looks cool. I know everyone's writing documents with blue and grey text, but it just isn't the best color scheme for readers like me who have less-than-perfect eyesight. Continue reading...

When Is a Good Resume Like Swiss Cheese?

When is a good resume like Swiss cheese? When it stands strong even if it has a few holes.

Yes, I’m saying sometimes you can openly have holes on your resume that don’t hurt you… as long as you build a strong structure around those holes. Continue reading...

Don't Put Your Name in the Header of Your Resume Document

In the course of reviewing lots of resumes, here's a mistake I see many job seekers make: They put their names and contact information in the header function of the resume document.

Yes, your name and contact info should be at the top of your resume, but not in the header function of the document. Why? When the recruiter or employer reads your resume on a computer screen, the header is greyed out. Your reader can see the header text but it's de-emphasized compared to the easy-to-read black text in the body of the page. Your name is very important, and should not be diminished by being a lighter color text.

The solution? Don't use the header function at all on a resume. Instead, place your name and contact info in the body of the resume where it will have high contrast (black against the white background) when viewed electronically. Make your name bold and a few font-points higher than the rest of the text on the page, which will make it the most dominant piece of information on your resume.

How to Make a Career Change on a Resume

Making a career change can be tricky on a resume. If your work history strongly suggests to an employer that you want to remain in your old field, you need work extra hard on your resume to convince him otherwise.

Here are a few tricks Continue reading...

How to Write a Magnet Resume and a Grabber Resume

You've decided you need both a master resume (for all jobs you would consider) and a target resume (for a specific job). So which should you create first? Continue reading...

What Resume Format Should I Use For My Military-to-Civilian Transition?

Entering the civilian workforce after two or more years of service in the military is a daunting transition. In addition to adjusting to your "new" civilian culture, you'll need to learn how to market yourself in a very tough job market. Continue reading...

What's the Top Resume Format?

Chronological? Functional? Combination? What do employers consider the top resume format and which one should you use?

Continue reading this post...