Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a resume? Why do I see the term with and without accent marks?
The noun résumé comes from the French verb résumér meaning to recapitulate or sum up. Because the French word has been assimilated into the English language (and the accent marks don't always view correctly on web pages), the use of accent marks is no longer required. Think of a resume as a snapshot in words. A resume captures a person's professional experience and education on paper. It's a marketing tool used by individuals to promote their knowledge, skills, and abilities to prospective employers. Writing a resume, like fine photography, is both a craft and an art. The writers of Written by a Pro will show your education, skills, and experience in the best possible light.
Are there different kinds of resumes?
Yes, there are three basic types of resumes. A chronological resume lists your employment experience beginning with the most recent and working backward in time, a functional resume focuses on your marketable skills, and a chrono-functional resume is a blend of the first two formats. Sometimes called a hybrid or blended resume, this format features a profile section that highlights qualifications, keywords, and skills followed by a work history with the most recent position you’ve held, first, and working backward in time. The writers of Written by a Pro are skilled in determining which type of resume works best—depending on your skills, experience and career objective.
What are applicant tracking systems?
An applicant tracking system (ATS) acts as a candidate relationship management system (CRM). Think of it as a digital filing cabinet where job seekers' applications and resumes are stored. The ATS is designed to help recruiters and hiring teams handle the online recruitment process from parsing and ranking resumes, screening and testing applicants, and scheduling interviews with selected candidates who meet the recruiter’s search criteria for a particular job posting. Rest assured: there is a human on the other side of the ATS who can access the digital files submitted by applicants. In addition, employers use applicant tracking systems for checking references, managing follow-up correspondence, and onboarding new hires. Applicant tracking systems are also used by the employer to collect and report accurate data for regulatory compliance. It is essential to optimize your resume formatting for ATS. There is a proliferation of confusing and contradictory information about ATS technology on the Internet, primarily because the technology is advancing so rapidly. Sharla Taylor keeps up with advancements in ATS technology and can teach you how to analyze job postings, optimize keywords, and understand current ATS formatting guidelines.
Will ATS reject AI-generated resumes?
Many applicant tracking systems can detect AI-generated content and may flag your resume as plagiarized because of the similarity of wording to other applicants’ resumes. AI can be a helpful research tool, but AI-generated resumes are typically bland and generic; they can’t tell your unique career story. There’s no substitute for human discernment in developing writing strategy and content. We spend at least 10-12 hours developing each resume. Our prices reflect the level of personalization we provide. We offer a 60-day service guarantee (see terms of service for details). Don’t any personal contact information into an AI program for privacy reasons. In today’s competitive job market, networking should be a key component of your job search activities.
What is a CV? How does it differ from a resume?
The Latin word--curriculum vitae (in its singular form) or curricula vitae (in its plural form)—means the course of one's life. In the USA, curricula vitae (or CVs) are used primarily in academic, scientific, or healthcare environments. The schematic CV style is technically oriented and credentials-based, whereas the resume style is business-oriented and performance-based. A CV prepared for a physician usually lists the doctor's specialty and education, followed by his or her experience and professional affiliations. In addition, the physician's publications, presentations, research, patents, grants, honors, and awards are also carefully detailed. CVs are generally longer than resumes because older information is not deleted; newer information is added to create a cumulative view of the course of one's professional life.
Do I need a resume or CV?
Unless you work in academia, scientific research, or healthcare, you will probably need a resume instead of a CV when applying for jobs inside the USA. If you are entering the global job market, please be aware that CVs are widely used in many countries around the world for all types of professions and usually include a section containing biographical information. Therefore, if you are contacting companies located outside the USA for potential employment, your international resume/CV should be structured accordingly.
Should personal information such as height, weight, and marital status be included on a resume?
No. In the USA, personal information is considered superfluous and irrelevant to job performance. Anti-discrimination laws prohibit the use of certain personal information from being used by employers to make a hiring decision. Ask: "Is this information pertinent to the job?" My advice is this: "When in doubt, leave it out."
There are two exceptions:
It is standard practice in the entertainment industry for an actor or model to include personal statistics such as height, weight, hair color, and eye color on his or her resume and to provide a photo. For a corporate role, you should not include a photo on your resume.
If you are applying for a job outside the USA, biographical data may be expected to be included in your international resume/CV. Read the application guidelines carefully. This information can be included when applying for a job overseas in a section called Personal Data and may be structured like this:
Date of birth: *List Month, Day, Year
Place of birth: *List City, State or Province, Country
Citizenship: *List Country or Countries (if dual citizenship is held)
Marital status: *List Single, Married, Widowed, or Divorced
Children: *List number of children and their ages
Languages: *List languages spoken and level of proficiency in each