Resumes are an essential part of the job application process. Having a great resume can set you apart from other candidates. Here is what you need to know to make an amazing resume.

First, know your audience. Your resume will likely be reviewed by an ATS, the human resources team, and the hiring manager. You have to make sure that your resume fits what they are looking for. ATS is short for Applicant Tracking System which shuffles through your resume, picking up keywords that are linked in the job description. Since it is a computerized system, it doesn’t select resumes that are very colorful and formatted oddly. Secondly, your resume will be alongside a volume of other applicants' resumes. You want to keep your resume straight and to the point while including enough information about yourself. The main qualities they are looking for are your experience, skills, and leadership qualities.

There are some key main components of your resume that must be included. Normally when formatting your resume, you would put all of your contact information at the top. This includes your name, email, phone number, and address. You should use a professional email address that you mainly use for work and education purposes. In addition, if fitting you can also include a direct link to your website, blog, or portfolio.

There are four main types of resumes that can be fitting for different careers.

A chronological resume is often used when you have no gaps in your career history. You show that you have consistent progression in your career. This is often used by people in mid-career or longer. Another resume that is fitting for someone who has had a longer career is a combination resume that shows an applicant's technical skills and experience. Infographic resumes are also great, but they may not be picked up by ATS. Infographic resumes are best for graphic designers or artists and shouldn’t be used for more traditional jobs. Lastly, there is a functional resume. This resume is for anyone who is new to the workforce, changing fields, or had gaps in their work history. They normally include a summary, skills, accomplishments, experience, honors, and education. You want to have a summary statement that ties all your skills and work experience together.

When formatting your resume you want to make it easy to read. Instead of writing long paragraphs use bullet points, but use sparingly. Be consistent with your format and use the same font, spacings, sizes, etc. Avoid italics and underlining because they can often be misread by scanners. Leave some “white space” on your resume. Often many readers write notes in the margins, so it is crucial to leave one-inch margins. Funky fonts and color can mess up with ATS, so try to stick with black and white. A picture of yourself isn’t necessary either.

Your resume should be an evidence based resume. The best way to do this is by using the WHO method. The WHO method helps evaluate a task or project you have done. Choose a relevant experience or task related to the job you are applying to, this can include an internship, a previous job, club membership, volunteer activity, class projects, etc.

W- What did you do (task/project)

H - How did you do the work

O - Outcome associated with the work

Here is an example of someone describing what they did at their previous retail job.

Before: provided customer service in a high stress environment

After using the WHO method: resolved customer concerns while adhering to store policies by using active listening and diplomacy

Some things to keep in mind when submitting your resume is that it should show your passion and how you fit the job description. As your experience grows your resumes should be updated as well.