What Is a Resume Meaning, Definition, Purpose, Use + Tips

What Is a Resume Meaning, Definition, Purpose, Use + Tips It's that document you send to employers, right?Wait... isn't that a job application? Uhm, CV? A cover letter?!Confusion abounds, but we're here to help.This article will show you:What a resume for a job is.Why its so important.What a resume should look like.Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. Its fast and easy to use. Plus, youll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.Sample resume made with our builderSee more templates and create your resume here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume now1What Is a Resume For a Job Application?A resume(also spelled rsum) is a formal document that serves to show a persons career background and skills. In most cases, its created in order to help a candidate to land a new job. A traditional resume consists of a profession al summary, work history, and education sections. It works like your job hunt marketing document.Resume, meaningsummary, comes from French (though the French themselves call this document a CV).Why Is a Resume ImportantResumes are the first thing the prospective employer sees about you. They need to make the best first impression on the recruiter. Thats why a resume is considered to be one of the most important steps in the job application process.A resume is definitely a must-have. Without it, you can't expect to be invited to a job interview.But its usually sent along with a cover letter. Whats the difference between the two?Resume vs. cover letter:A resume is a bulleted overview of your work experience. A cover letter, as the name suggests, shows your skills and accomplishments in the letter form.Resumes cut to the chase and are a point of reference for the recruiter during a job interview. Cover letters get into more detail about particular career moments.If youre interested in how to write the perfect cover letter, check out our guide: How to Write a Covering Letter for a Resume [+Examples]Pro Tip: If you came across a job ad that asks for a CV (or Curriculum Vitae), be aware its not the same as a resume. CVs include an in-depth description of your career history and are usually used for academic purposes. Check out CV vs. resume differences.2Key Components of a ResumeSince your future career depends on the quality of your resume, it is important to have it right.So first, give your resume a clear structure so it pleases the recruiters eye right from the beginning.Follow these simple resume formatting tips:Set one-inch margins on each side of the page.Go for single or 1.15 line spacing.Use the legible font for a resume and keep it 11 or 12pt.Present your contact info in a separate resume header.Divide your document into easy-to-navigate resume sections.Describe your experience in the form of bullet points.Leave enough white space for a balanced resume lay out.OK, the right resume templatecheck.Now let's learn what resume format will help you convey your uniqueness to the hiring manager.What are the standard resume formats?Reverse-chronological resume: a classic format known to most recruiters and your best choice in most situations. It puts your recent or current experience upfront and promotes your proudest achievements going back in time.Functional resume: puts a focus on skills rather than work history. Its ideal for career changers and those with gaps in employment.Combination resume: a hybrid of both chronological and functional resume formats. Begins with a summary of skills, then proceeds to the most relevant experience momentsthe most flexible format.Choose the format which will help you advertise yourself the best to the recruiter. Read more: Best Resume Format for all Types of Resumes.Thats about it when it comes to resume structuring. But without the right content, the layout's just an empty frame.So lets see what the key components of a resume are.What to Include on a Resume:Contact information: your name, phone number, email address, and optionally relevant social media handles, such as your LinkedIn profile.Resume profile: a short summary of your skills and proudest accomplishments. It tops your resume and serves as your job bio.Work experience: the meat and potatoes of your job application. Its where you tell your career history. Your job titles, company names, duties, and years workedthese go into this section.Education on a resume: your school names, degrees, major/minors, and optionallyGPA plus relevant coursework.Resume skills: job-related skills that may be of value to your prospective employer. According to statistics, a well-crafted key skills section can boost your chances of getting a new job by 59%.These resume sections are more than necessary. But you can also list other resume sections depending on the job youre targeting.Consider adding one of these resume nice-to-haves:Certification s and licensesResume languagesAwards and honorsVolunteer workHobbies and interestsConferencesPublicationsProjectsFreelance work experienceIf you a fresher on the job market? List your education first, and dont forget about internships, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work. Find out more:First Resume with No Work Experience Samples: Guide + ExamplesRemember to double check your resume for grammatical errors and typos. These are always a big no-no.Plus, keep it short and sweet. According to our HR statistics report, Hiring managers look at each resume only for about six seconds. If your resume feels like a never-ending story with plot twists and turnsit wont sell well.Its much better to tailor your resume to the job post, instead of listing all skills and duties that come to your mind.Pro Tip: Looking at your resume and responsible for pops out more than ten times? Avoid weak words and use resume action words instead. These will help your resume go through the Applicant Trac king Software (ATS), used by about 75% of hiring managers according to the Capterras survey.When making a resume in our builder, drag drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your resume here.Create my resume nowWhen youre done, Zetys resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.Key TakeawayHeres a recap of what you should know before sending your resume to the future employer:Your resume is a marketing document. Its used to make a favorable impression on the recruiter.Treat your resume as a summary of your work experience, education, and skills. Be concise and list only key career wins. Plus, be relevant.Make your resume aesthetically pleasing. Use the best formatting rules.Respect your reader, proofread your resume and make it high-quality.What do you think about the resume definition above? Does this brief overview answer your resume questions? Give me a shout in the comments!