5 keys to make the best use of an example

• There are five factors to consider when choosing a resume example:

  • Think about the type of job you want.
  • Consider your work experience.
  • Select the appropriate format to showcase your accomplishments.
  • Review design, the template used to build your resume.
  • Study the resume example and make it your own.

  Let’s dive into how to select the right resume example, one step at a time.

  

• Think about the type of job you want.

  Before choosing a resume example, consider the kind of job you want and the industry you’d like to work in. Look for resume examples based on similar jobs that are submitted by others or recommended by career services experts. If those resume examples worked for someone else, they may work for you, too! The same goes for choosing a resume example based on industry. If you previously managed a team in retail and now want a job managing a team in a small office, know that resume examples are likely different for each. Pick the example that best matches the job you want in your chosen industry.

• Consider your work experience.

  Review your work history and ask yourself: “What industry did I work in?” “What did I work on?” Answering these questions will help you decide which resume example to use.

  • By industry: Speed up your search for a resume example by identifying core requirements and competencies of your previous industry. For example, if your past industry was engineering, you can avoid or seek out specific resume examples depending on whether you want to stay in the industry or not.
  • By tasks: Reviewing previous tasks helps you determine whether you can use them in your next job. Let’s consider one example: You have supply management and production operations skills, and you are considering working in the food services industry. You should look for resume examples specifically tailored for jobs in food services management and operations. You can follow the same logical process for any job!
     

• Select the appropriate format to showcase your accomplishments.

  Selecting a resume example with a format and design suitable for your needs is important. Resume formats structure the way in which you organize your resume: your work history, your previous job tasks and your specific achievements.

  Here are some factors to consider when considering with resume format to choose:

  • Length of work experience (inexperienced versus experienced)
    If you want to be evaluated based on your vast experience, you should model your resume on examples that feature your work history in reverse-chronological order. This is the chronological resume format, and is best suited for those with strong and consistent work history in the field to which they are seeking employment.

     

    People who wish to avoid being evaluated based on experience, such as recent graduates, those changing industries or job seekers with big resume gaps, should consider resume examples in the functional format, which highlights skills over work experience.

     

    The third resume format, the combination, is a hybrid of the chronological and functional formats and is best for people who want to spotlight their top skills and accomplishments while also featuring the best parts of their employment history. Once you determine which resume format is right for you, choose resume examples that feature similar layouts.

     

• Review design, the template used to build your resume

  Coupled with an appropriate resume format, the resume template is just as important and must have the right look and feel to your industry. The design should not get in the way of presenting your job-winning achievements so employers can easily see that you are the right fit for the job.

  When deciding which template to use, consider:

  • Your desired industry (conservative versus creative) Some hiring managers look for resumes whose designs match the culture of their respective industries. Designs are usually divided between conservative or creative styles. Conservative designs are highly-structured, simple and text-based. You usually find them on applications for jobs in banking, law, accounting and government. Creative resume designs can include infographics, color or graphics, and can work for applications for jobs in media, architecture and marketing.
     

• Study the resume example and make it your own.

  Once you’ve chosen a suitable resume example, here’s how to use it:

  • Learn from it. Use resume examples as a direct informational reference. If you worked as a data analyst or are seeking that position, for example, find resume examples that capture data analyst duties, goals and accomplishments. Review them to determine if they line up with the position to which you’re applying. When you learn from good, well-structured and deeply researched resume examples, you will find they contain useful tidbits about your dream job that you’d either forgotten to add or had previously failed to communicate correctly!

  • Customize it. Because you’re creating a personalized resume that fits your desired job, customization offers a great opportunity for you to stand out in a large pool of applicants. But how do you do it? First, make a list of your responsibilities, skills and achievements from your former jobs and write them to match the job description. For example, if the job requires leadership skills, think of times you’ve led groups or took the lead on a task, and make sure you highlight that experience on your resume. Then use our Resume Builder’s suggested text and tweak it with your own specific experience and audience in mind. Do this by customizing all sections of a resume example. This includes the three most important parts of a resume: your summary, your work skills and your work history. Other customizable parts include your contact and education information.

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