A key element to ensuring your résumé will be read is to present a perfectly formatted resume. Perfectly formatted for readability by hiring managers AND Applicant/Résumé Tracking System software. This is not always in line with what you think is most eye catching.

Designer résumés and templates work against you in a couple of ways. I blogged about this last week here.

I also told you I would share a format on which you can build upon. The following is a condensed basic résumé sample in a basic hybrid format. This is the most effective résumé format as it not only outlines your responsibilities, but also highlights your accomplishments so they stand out.

This format also works very well with Applicant and Résumé Tracking System software. The information is readily parsed and categorized so that if your résumé is tailored to the desired position and contains the appropriate keywords, your résumé will be selected for review by a human.

What makes this readable and human friendly are some essential elements incorporated into the format. These include white space, strategic bolding, and consistency. All of these elements combined with a clean format make for a highly effective résumé.

You can also download the pdf here.

And how do hiring managers and recruiters tell your résumé is formatted cleanly? By selecting this option in Word:

Tomorrow, I will outline why this reveals your Word skills and attention to detail may not be your strengths!

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