In the 2019 job market, knowing how to write a killer, high quality resume could be the difference between you landing an interview for your dream job or not. In this brief piece, we talk about how to write a killer resume that will help you land more interviews in the coming year. There is a fine line between success and failure, and as you know, life is too short to work in a job you don’t enjoy.
Nobody knows your career history better than you do. Therefore, it’s important to plan out the direction and content of your resume before you draft the first version. Before you start, it’s important to understand exactly what your killer resume needs to accomplish. To do that, follow our guide on how to write a killer resume in 2019.
What is a Killer Resume?
A killer resume is a professional document that showcases all of your relevant professional and academic attributes. Essentially, it is a marketing tool to explain why you’re the best fit for a job. Everyone’s background is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all resume that works for everyone. Understanding how to write a killer resume that showcases your best attributes is an important skill that can be practiced.
Before you begin putting words on a page, it is important to decide which resume format to use to best display your unique educational history and professional experience.
Killer Resume Formats
There are three ways to best format your resume: Chronological, Functional, and Hybrid. Every format has benefits, and understanding the most effective way to showcase your work history is pivotal to building a high quality killer resume. Not sure how to write a resume that showcases your career history in the best light? First, think about the last five years of your career. Have you stayed at one company? Have you moved every year? Decisions like these will help tailor the direction and format of your resume, making it a lot easier later to see how to write a killer resume that showcases you in the best light.
Chronological
A killer resume formatted chronologically is best for job seekers that have great tenure, accomplishments for every position they have held, or want to showcase a strong vertical career progression.
Functional
Functional resumes are designed for individuals who are just beginning their careers and want to highlight their education and skills without attaching them to career accomplishments. They are great for those who have gaps in their employment history or are making a significant career change.
Hybrid
Hybrid resumes are the most rare in the industry. They are typically used by experts in their fields. Hybrid resume formatting allows the individual to showcase an acquired skillset obtained during a certain position during their career.
What information should I include on a killer resume?
There is no cookie-cutter template that will be effective for your individual career history and goals, so it can be difficult to determine what information is best to include on a killer resume without getting to know you first.
That said, contact information such as your name, telephone number, email address, and mailing address are great things to include at the top of your killer resume. This will give hiring managers an opportunity to contact you directly if they come across your resume. Understanding how to make sure your contact information is formatted correct is important too! Do your utmost not to use text boxes or other devices that can hinder a computer reading your contact information.
You will also want to highlight any and all academic accomplishments you have obtained. Do you have a Bachelors degree or a Masters? Those are great to include on a killer resume, as hiring managers will check for educational fit before looking at any other information.
Finally, you’ll want to include your work history, including the dates of employment at each company, and highlighting all of your significant accomplishments or contributions. Your killer resume is your opportunity to brag about yourself, so use it!
Desired Outcome Of Having A Killer Resume
Having a killer resume could be the difference between landing an interview or not. Because of this, making the investment in a professionally written killer resume is always a good idea. Just think of the potential return on investment (ROI) if you pay $300 for a professionally written resume and cover letter that helps you land a job that pays $5,000 to $10,000 more than your current salary. The economics of investing in a killer resume make sense!
Do I Need Professional Resume Help?
The easy answer is probably, yes! Certified Professional Resume Writers (CPRWs) are skilled at honing in on the attributes that really bring value to your killer resume, showcasing the accomplishments that will make you a top candidate for your dream role. CPRWs know how to write a resume that does the work for you!
Since resumes are personal documents, it is important that tone and style are accurate and align with your career goals. CPRWs have written hundreds of resumes, and know exactly how to write a killer resume that will make you shine!
With over 15 years in the career services industry, Employment BOOST by JMJ Phillip Group has the expertise and industry knowledge to make the transition into your next role as easy and effective as possible. With an in-house team of certified professional resume writers and access to researchers and recruiters, Employment BOOST is your one-stop shop for killer resume and career services.