7 Tips for Strong Resume Structure
By J.M. Auron
A resume is read from the top down, like a news article. So the resume expands from initial headline, through the profile, with strong supporting information in the body of the document.
Clear resume structure is a critical component in telling the
story of your career. This structure enables the reader to quickly
navigate and find crucial career information. Of course, there is
no "one size fits all" resume format. Format and content must both
fit overall resume strategy. But the following seven elements will
be found in almost all resumes and give a good foundation on which
to build yours.
1. Open with a strong, clear headline
Let the reader know who you are, and what you're looking for.
Don't make the hiring authority guess - too often, they won't take
the time. Be clear and concise. If you're looking for IT leadership
roles, for example "CIO / CTO / IT Director" immediately brands you
for the opportunity you're seeking.
2. Build a powerful professional
summary
This initial paragraph is in many ways the key to the resume.
You're telling the reader who you are, and what makes you stand out
from the crowd. Focus on your differentiators - the things you do
differently or better than your peers.
Avoid soft skills, and concentrate on the abilities that will
be fleshed out in the body of the resume. Be sure to include
impressive credentials - if you have an MBA from Harvard, an MS
from MIT, or TS / SCI clearance, that should be included front and
center.
3. Include a list of core competencies
But don't go overboard - 12 is a good number; more can be
overkill. Pick the skills that are most valuable, and most in
demand - a search through interesting job postings can be very
helpful here.
Also, if you're a "hands-on" technical professional, it makes
sense to put your technical toolbox on display in the first page of
the resume. If you're more senior, technologies can be better
presented at the end of the document.
4. The meat of the resume - professional
experience
There's a fine line between too much detail and too little.
Don't overwhelm the reader - but do give enough detail on your
duties and responsibilities to give clear context for your
accomplishments. Always quantify scope of responsibility - size of
teams and budgets - and include numbers for achievements whenever
possible. Numbers make the information in your resume concrete and
far more memorable.
5. Education and Training
This section is pretty straightforward - but it's important to
keep the format clear and consistent. If you have more than one BA
or MA, I'd recommend only using the degree relevant to your goals.
Also, professional training can demonstrate both a greater range of
skills, and a commitment to professional growth and
advancement.
6. Qualifications
This section can include a range of material that adds value -
technical competencies, languages, publications, and affiliations.
As with the Education and Training section, consistency in
presentation is the key to making this section easily scannable by
the Hiring Authority.
7. Interests
Not all resumes will include a section on personal interests;
it's certainly not required. But if you have unique interests that
may connect with a potential hiring authority, they can add value.
If you've won a Triathlon or a Martial Arts championship (for
example) that information will stay in the hiring authority's
memory. Do be careful to avoid anything controversial - political
or religious affiliations, for instance, should generally be
omitted.
Of course, there's much more to a resume than this structure -
language, strategy, content all play important roles. But with this
solid foundation, it's for more likely that the hiring authority
will read the document to discover your career success!
As a technical resume authority and former
recruiter, I am committed to crafting compelling
resumes, cover letters, and other career documents that capture
your career essentials, seize and hold the hiring authority's
attention, and open the door for the 1st interview.
