How to Choose the Right Layout and Format for Your Resume
Crafting the perfect resume can be a daunting task, so we’ve gathered insights from industry leaders, including Co-Founders and Chief Human Resources Officers, to guide job seekers in selecting the most effective resume format. From opting for simplicity in design to utilizing AI tools for customization, explore the top ten expert tips to ensure your resume stands out in your field.
- Opt for Simplicity in Design
- Tailor Resume to Chosen Industry
- Choose Format Based on Career Path
- Create Bespoke Resumes for Target Companies
- Research Industry-Standard Resume Formats
- Highlight Relevant Skills and Achievements
- Tailor Resume to Job Listing
- Select Format Based on Experience Level
- Standard Chronological Format for Most
- Utilize AI Tools for Customization
Opt for Simplicity in Design
“Keep it simple” doesn’t explain my tip sufficiently. Keep your resume layout much simpler than you think you need. If you are not a designer by trade, you probably won’t make a document look better by adding flair.
However, you can make any document look well-designed by just keeping it to text and a few very thin lines (if any).
Then, just pay attention to spacing in all directions. Your eye will tell you if the spacing is right.
But keep it to text only if you can, maybe a line between sections.
Christopher Falvey, Co-Founder, Unique NOLA Tours
Tailor Resume to Chosen Industry
Job seekers should tailor their resume format to their industry and experience. For entry-level candidates or those with limited experience, a chronological resume highlighting education and skills is best. This showcases a clear progression and potential.
Experienced professionals can leverage a functional resume, emphasizing skills and accomplishments, showcasing expertise. For creative fields, a portfolio-style resume with a visually appealing layout is effective. The key is to choose a format that best highlights your qualifications and aligns with the industry’s expectations.
Eva Toledo, Senior Researcher, Kepler Search
Choose Format Based on Career Path
As an HR expert, my best tip for job seekers choosing an appropriate resume format or layout based on their industry and experience is to “Prioritize clarity and readability tailored to your target roles.
Don’t go after the ages-old ‘chronological format’ if it doesn’t align with your career path. Different formats shine for different experience levels and situations. For example:
- Chronological Format: Best for those with a linear career progression within the same industry. This traditional format lists your work history in reverse chronological order, making it easy for reviewers to scan your trajectory. Example:
Professional Experience:
– Head of Marketing | Company X | 2021 – Present
* Grew online revenue by 35% in 12 months through XYZ campaigns
* Managed a team of 8 and multi-million dollar budgets
– Digital Marketing Manager | Company Y | 2018 – 2021
* Led national lead generation initiatives across channels
* Increased email subscriptions by 25% year-over-year
- Functional/Skills-Based: Ideal for career changers, those with ’employment gaps’, or transitioning industries. This format emphasizes transferable skills over chronological roles. Example:
– Marketing Expertise:
* Conversion Rate Optimization: Boosted landing page conversions by 62% through A/B testing and UX best practices
* Content Marketing: Developed a content strategy resulting in an 83% increase in organic traffic year-over-year
* Project Management: Led a cross-functional team of 6+ to deliver integrated marketing campaigns on time and under budget
– Professional Experience [Brief descriptions follow].
The key is understanding what your prospective employer cares about most. In technical or specialized fields, a clear chronological history may be prioritized. For roles valuing cross-functional skills or those with unique career paths, a skills-based layout can be powerful.
Whichever format you choose, ensure it highlights your most relevant qualifications prominently. Use clear section headings, consistent formatting, and quantified accomplishment statements. An easily scannable, clean layout tailored to your background shows professionalism and fitment for each role.
Maheen Kanwal, HR Executive, B2B Tech SaaS Copywriter, and Founder, Call to Authority
Create Bespoke Resumes for Target Companies
Your resume is the first impression that your future employer gets of you—so it’s very important to make sure it delivers. I think there are a number of generic templates out there (both free and paid), which might look better than your average Microsoft Word layout—but I wouldn’t recommend using them unless you’re going for the scattergun approach to things.
I think if there’s a company you REALLY want to work for, start by doing research into the company brand, the staff, and the history of the company. Start to build a picture of what the company represents, both from a values perspective and from a visual/brand perspective.
Once you have an overview of the company, hire and brief a designer who can visualize the company in resume format for you—creating something truly bespoke/niche and different from what all other candidates are probably going to do, but helping you to stand out in a way that’s relevant to the company. They will see the research, effort, and time that has gone into it and, in turn, give you a better chance of landing that killer role!
James Sanderson, Creative Director, EverydaySomething
Research Industry-Standard Resume Formats
Job seekers should choose their resume format based on their industry and level of experience. For most industries, especially traditional ones like finance or education, a chronological resume is best, highlighting work history in reverse order.
For those in creative fields like design or marketing, a functional or hybrid resume that showcases skills and projects may be more effective.
Tip: Research resumes of professionals in your industry on LinkedIn to see what formats are commonly used, and tailor yours to fit those standards. This ensures your resume meets industry expectations and highlights your qualifications effectively.
Ana Alipat, Recruitment Team Lead, DayJob Recruitment
Highlight Relevant Skills and Achievements
Applying for a job in the events and wedding-planning industry needs to be informative and condensed to fit on one page. People peruse resumes, so it really needs to stand out among the rest. Focus on crucial details that are relevant to the post you are applying for. List all the skills you have that are relevant to the post, as well as the jobs that you previously held that can add to what you have to offer.
For example, if you are applying for a post relating to event planning itself, speak to your highlights in the role that you had in previous jobs. Also, it is key to use quantifiable means to do so; these help you get the point across to the people you are applying to. Use percentages and other metrics to help you make the most out of your achievements.
Aureljia Gintaliene, Founder, Breezit
Tailor Resume to Job Listing
Choosing the most appropriate resume format is crucial for job seekers, as it can significantly influence the first impression they make on potential employers. The choice of resume format largely depends on one’s industry and experience level.
For those in creative fields, like graphic design or advertising, a more visually engaging format that showcases their design skills can be beneficial. Formats that allow for the inclusion of a portfolio or hyperlinks to work samples can make a resume stand out to employers looking for creativity and innovation.
Conversely, for professions in fields such as law, finance, or healthcare, a traditional chronological resume format is often preferred. This format emphasizes a steady work history and progression in a clear and concise manner, which is highly valued in these industries where professionalism and a straightforward recounting of skills and accomplishments are crucial.
My best tip for any job seeker is to tailor the resume not only to the industry but also to the specific job listing. Utilize keywords from the job description and focus the resume’s content to align with the requirements and responsibilities listed. This targeted approach shows employers that you are attentive and highly interested in the position, increasing your chances of making a memorable impression.
Steven Mostyn, Chief Human Resources Officer, Management.org
Select Format Based on Experience Level
When deciding on a resume format, the most important consideration is your level of work experience. Here’s how to decide which resume format is right for you:
A functional resume format is your best bet if you are an entry-level job seeker or a recent graduate. This format allows you to highlight your skills and education over work experience. Since you have limited work experience, this format will also allow you to highlight any relevant internships or leadership positions in sports or volunteer work, which will help you showcase your transferable skills and capabilities.
A combination resume format can work wonders for mid-career professionals with some relevant work experience. This format mixes functional and chronological layout elements, giving equal space to the Skills and Work Experience sections. It lets you emphasize your transferable skills and achievements while providing a detailed work history.
The chronological format, which lists your past roles in reverse chronological order, is ideal for experienced professionals with a steady work history. With a prominent Work Experience section, this resume format highlights an impressive career progression, making it easy for employers to see your growth.
Some considerations regarding industry standards should be kept in mind. In traditional or conservative fields, like law or finance, stick with a chronological resume format. This layout is the go-to choice in these fields because it outlines your work history straightforwardly. Keep your design clean and professional, steering clear of overly creative elements.
However, if you are applying for work in a creative field, like advertising, or a more non-traditional environment, like a tech startup, choose a functional or combination format to showcase your skills and achievements in more detail. These industries often value visually appealing and innovative resume designs, so don’t be afraid to get creative with your layout. However, always make sure it remains readable and professional.
Heather O’Neill, Career Expert and Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW), Resume Now
Standard Chronological Format for Most
Most job seekers should opt for a standard chronological resume format, placing the work experience section at the top and listing past jobs from most to least recent.
This is the format most employers are accustomed to seeing, and usually, your recent work experience will be your top selling point. If you’re a student or recent graduate and you’re applying for your first job, replace the work experience section with other relevant experience, such as volunteer positions, internships, personal projects, or freelance gigs.
However, under certain circumstances, you could benefit from using a different resume format. For example, if you’re a career changer, you might want to list your relevant transferable skills at the top instead. This will allow you to quickly show employers you have the skills they need, even if you’re new to the industry.
Or, if you’re applying for a position that requires a highly specialized skill set, consider adding a certifications section before your work experience. Again, this will ensure employers can immediately tell you’re qualified for the job.
Sebastian Morgan, Senior Content Specialist, CV Genius
Utilize AI Tools for Customization
If the role is posted on LinkedIn, there are some new AI-based tools out there to help you understand the key skills and competencies being requested by the role. It is impossible to capture all of your experiences, projects, and successful endeavors in the bullet-point style resume that Applicant Tracking Systems prefer, so use this to your advantage to customize your resume and cover letter.
Scroll all the way to the bottom of the job description on LinkedIn. You will see two categories: “Skills associated with the job post” and “Additional skills among applicants.” It is here where you can take three important actions. First, where applicable, add the skills you have to your LinkedIn profile. Second, add these skills to the bullets and actions on your resume, where applicable. Finally, create a custom cover letter highlighting these skills, making it easy for the recruiter and hiring leader to see where you stand out!
Stacie Baird, Chief People Officer, Community Medical Services
