Resume Formats
This resume format lists your most recent job first and works best for candidates with consistent work history.
What is the Chronological format?
Each resume bullet point should begin with one of these — words like "Led," "Built," "Grew," and "Coordinated."
What are action verbs?
According to ResumeLab (2023), this percentage of hiring managers say a strong cover letter can land an interview even when the resume alone doesn't fully qualify the candidate.
What is 83 percent?
Words or phrases repeated throughout a job posting that signal what the employer values most.
What are keywords?
According to Harvard Business Review (Grant, 2022), candidates who demonstrate this quality in their cover letter are more likely to be viewed as promotable.
What is cultural and mission alignment?
This resume format groups your experience under skill categories — useful for career changers or new graduates.
What is the Functional format?
This element, like a dollar amount or percentage, makes your resume bullet points measurable and credible.
What are quantifiable metrics (or numbers/data)?
In the cover letter opening paragraph, you should name the role, express specific enthusiasm, and include this brief statement about your professional identity.
What is a positioning statement?
If a job description uses the phrase "fast-paced environment," a savvy applicant understands this employer is likely looking for this quality.
What is adaptability (or ability to thrive under pressure)?
If a company's job posting is written in a warm, conversational tone, your cover letter should do this to match their communication style.
What is reflecting (or matching) the employer's tone and voice?
This resume format combines a skills summary with a work history section — popular for mid-level professionals.
What is the Hybrid (Combination) format?
The acronym for the four-step thinking framework used to build a strong resume bullet point: Situation, Task, Action, and this.
What is STAR (with the R standing for Result)?
SHRM (2022) recommends that a well-organized cover letter be no longer than this.
What is one page (or three to four concise paragraphs)?
LinkedIn (2022) says a cover letter that does this — using the employer's own language — shows attention to detail and genuine interest.
What is mirroring the job posting's language?
Rather than listing generic skills, this cover letter strategy — tying your personal values directly to the company's stated mission — is called this.
What is demonstrating value and fit (or mission alignment)?
According to CareerBuilder (2023), this is how long most hiring managers spend reviewing a resume before making a decision.
What is less than one minute (or fewer than 60 seconds)?
LinkedIn's 2021 Global Talent Trends report found that resumes including outcomes and data are this much more likely to result in recruiter callbacks.
What is 40 percent more likely?
In the cover letter body paragraph, you should use this method: provide context, describe your action, and explain the measurable result — much like a resume bullet.
What is STAR (or a structured accomplishment example)?
When customizing your resume for a technology role, you should always include this type of dedicated section listing programming languages, platforms, and certifications.
What is a technical skills section?
A weak cover letter makes this mistake — sending the same generic letter to every company without referencing anything specific about the employer.
What is a generic (or non-tailored) cover letter?
According to Indeed (2023), tailoring your resume to a specific job description makes you this much more likely to be invited for an interview.
What is 30 percent more likely?
Using this framework, transform "Responsible for managing a team" into a strong achievement bullet that includes scope, action, and a quantified result. (Accept any well-formed STAR-based answer with a number and strong action verb.)
What is a STAR-formatted bullet — example: "Led a cross-functional team of 8 to launch a product that generated $250K in new revenue within 6 months"?
This tactic in the cover letter — referencing a specific company mission, initiative, or recent announcement — signals genuine interest and increases perceived promotability.
What is demonstrating cultural and mission alignment (or showing cultural fit)?
For creative industries, this is one additional element you should include in your application that most other industries do not require.
What is a portfolio link (or portfolio)?
Beyond listing your experience, your cover letter should also convey these three qualities that go beyond qualifications.
What is personality, passion, and purpose (or cultural fit and genuine interest)?