MODERN

RESUME

STRATEGIES

Natalie Urquhart, CARW

Resume Writing Supervisor, iHire.com

• Past Resume Trends

• Core Elements of a Powerful Resume

• Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

• Three Effective Resume Strategies

• Before & After Examples

• Job Seeker Scenarios

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

PAST

RESUME

TRENDS TO

AVOID

• Objective statements

• “Death by bullets”

• Lists of duties/incomplete sentences

• Months in career history

• Positions from 15+ years ago

• “References Available”

• Title and summary

• Key skills/core competencies

• Concise, dynamic content written in first person with “filler” words removed – the, a, an, I, me, my, etc.

• Quantifiable achievements

CORE

ELEMENTS

OF A

POWERFUL

RESUME

• Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for specific keywords to determine qualified applicants

• Which specific keywords are employers scanning for?

APPLICANT

TRACKING

SYSTEMS

1) Chronological

2) Functional

3) Hybrid

THREE MOST

EFFECTIVE

RESUME

STRATEGIES

Your career history and current objective will determine the best strategy for your resume.

• Title and summary section • Key skills section • Career timeline with details

covering job duties and achievements

• Best for: Consistent objective and career history, notable achievements per position

FORMAT #1:

CHRONOLOGICAL

RESUME

Summary and key skills sections

Job duties and responsibilities followed by bulleted achievements

• Title and summary section • Key skills section • Highlights section • Career timeline with company

name, location, job title, and dates only

• Best for: Inconsistent and/or lengthy career history, repetitive job duties, changing careers, returning to work

FORMAT #2:

FUNCTIONAL

RESUME

Summary and key skills sections

Highlights section with experience details and top achievements

Career timeline

• Title and summary section

• Key skills section

• Highlights section

• Career timeline with details on job duties/responsibilities and additional achievements

• Best for: Consistent and lengthy career history with numerous achievements, notable accomplishments from positions 15+ years ago

FORMAT #3:

HYBRID

RESUME

Summary and key skills sections

Highlights section with achievements

Additional details covering job duties and responsibilities

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Mark has been a dentist for more than 30 years, working for 5+ different offices with similar levels of responsibility. Which strategy would work best for Mark?

JOB SEEKER

SCENARIOS

Ellen has had a successful 10-year career in sales, however recently went back to school to earn a degree in social work and is seeking entry-level positions within this industry. Which format would be the most effective for Ellen’s career change?

JOB SEEKER

SCENARIOS

Andrew has been working for the same advertising company for the past 15 years, earning multiple promotions and serving most recently in a Creative Director role. He is moving to another state and wants to find a similar position. Which format would be the most beneficial for Andrew?

JOB SEEKER

SCENARIOS

Q&A