The First Impression
This format lists work history starting with the most recent.
What is Reverse-Chronological?
You should avoid these overused, empty phrases like "Team Player" or "Hard Worker."
What are Buzzwords (or Cliches)?
Unless you are a high-level executive or academic, your resume should generally not exceed this many pages.
What is One (sometimes two)?
Clue: This document tells a personal story alongside the resume.
What is a Cover Letter?
This strategy involves reaching out to people at a company before a job is even posted, typically done during college.
What is Networking?
Save your file in this format for readability across all devices.
What is a PDF?
Instead of "Responsible for," you should start your bullet points with these types of words.
What are Action Verbs?
Even one of these small typos can lead to a resume being immediately discarded.
What is a Grammar/Spelling error?
These are teachable abilities like coding or bookkeeping.
What are Hard Skills?
This term refers to the empty space that prevents clutter.
What is Negative Space?
This is the recommended margin size (in inches) for a standard, professional-looking resume.
What is 0.5 to 1 inch?
This is the "secret sauce" of a great bullet point that uses numbers, percentages, or specific amounts.
What is Quantifying?
Including this personal visual element is a big mistake, as it can lead to unconscious bias.
What is a Headshot (or Photo)?
These interpersonal traits like leadership are vital for teams.
What are Soft Skills?
Putting the most impressive info first in a bullet point.
What is Front-loading?
This brief section at the top has largely replaced the outdated "Objective" statement.
What is a Professional Summary?
This formula involves stating what you did, the tool you used, and the specific outcome achieved.
What is the Google XYZ Formula?
These non-standard design elements used to rate skills are often unreadable by automated resume analysis programs.
What are Skill Graphs (or Progress Bars)?
You should include specific terms found in the job post for a higher chance of success.
What are Keywords?
This psychological bias describes how recruiters favor the first and last pieces of information they see on a page.
What is the Serial Position Effect?
These hidden digital gatekeepers scan resumes for specific keywords before a human ever sees them usually.
What is an ATS (Applicant Tracking System)?
This 4-letter acronym stands for a method of writing bullet points.
What is the STAR method? (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
You should remove this phrase regarding professional contacts, as it's considered dead space today.
What is "References available upon request"?
Managers use a mix of skills to determine if you're a good...
What is Culture Fit?
This rule suggests only listing the last 15 years of work.
What is the 15-Year Rule?