Resume Templates: Blooming Your Way to the 'Yes' Pile!
- Lauren Deats
- May 13
- 7 min read
Hello Bloomers!!
It's Lauren here and today we're diving into a topic that might seem small but packs a HUGE punch: your resume template. I know, I know, choosing a template can feel like picking out a new font for your email – important, but maybe not the most exciting part of the job hunt. But trust me on this one, the right template can be the difference between your resume getting a closer look or getting lost in the shuffle.
In today's market, hiring managers are swamped. They're sifting through hundreds, sometimes thousands, of applications. So, what makes a resume stand out? It's not about the flashiest design or the most creative font. It’s about clarity, organization, and making it super easy for them to see why YOU are the perfect fit.
Think of your resume as your personal marketing document. The template is the packaging. You want it to be appealing, professional, and, most importantly, functional.
What Hiring Managers REALLY Want to See In Your Resume Template (Hint: It's Not Your Life Story in Size 8 Font)
Let's get real. Hiring managers are looking for a few key things when they first glance at your resume:
Is it Tailored? They want to see that you didn't just blast the same generic resume to fifty different companies. Your resume should speak directly to the job you're applying for. This means highlighting the skills and experiences that are most relevant to that specific role.
Is it Organized? Can they quickly find the information they need? A cluttered or confusing layout is an instant turn-off. They don't have time to play detective.
Is it Clean and Concise? Less is often more. Avoid dense blocks of text, overly complicated designs, or tiny fonts. Keep it to one page if you have less than 10 years of experience, and a maximum of two pages for more seasoned professionals. Every word should earn its place!
A good template helps you achieve all of this. It provides the structure so your amazing content can shine.
The "Bloom" Blueprint: A Resume Layout That Works (And Why!)
At Career Bloom Solutions, we've seen what works, and we've seen what... well, doesn't. Here’s a layout that’s consistently a winner because it’s clear, logical, and gives hiring managers exactly what they’re looking for, in the order they generally prefer. Let's break it down:
1. Contact Information: Make it Easy to Reach You
This is prime real estate at the top of your resume. Make it crystal clear and error-free. Double-check those digits and letters!
What to Include:
Full Name: Use a slightly larger font or bold it to make it stand out.
Phone Number: Your cell phone is usually best.
Professional Email Address: Something like firstname.lastname@email.com is ideal. Avoid old, cutesy, or unprofessional email addresses (looking at you, partyanimal2005@email.com!).
LinkedIn Profile URL: Customize your LinkedIn URL to make it clean and professional (e.g., linkedin.com/in/yourname). This is a must in today's market!
(Optional) Portfolio/Website Link: If you have a professional portfolio (common for designers, writers, developers, etc.), include the link.
(Optional) Location: City and State are usually sufficient. You don't need your full street address. In some cases, especially for remote roles, you might even omit this or simply state "Open to Remote."
Example:
Jane Doe (123) 456-7890 | jane.doe@email.com | linkedin.com/in/janedoe | janeportfolio.com (if applicable) City, State
2. Summary (or Professional Profile): Your 30-Second Commercial
This is your chance to grab their attention immediately. It’s a brief (3-4 lines or bullet points) overview of who you are professionally and what you offer. Always tailor this to the specific job you're applying for.
What to Include:
Your professional title or target role.
Years of experience in relevant fields.
2-3 key skills or areas of expertise that match the job description.
A notable achievement or unique selling proposition.
Your career goal or what you're seeking (briefly).
Example (for a Marketing Manager role):
Results-driven Marketing Manager with 8+ years of experience developing and executing comprehensive digital marketing strategies that increase brand awareness and drive revenue growth. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multi-channel campaigns, consistently exceeding KPIs. Seeking to leverage expertise in SEO, content marketing, and data analytics to contribute to [Company Name]'s success.
Coach's Tip: Think keywords! Weave in terms from the job description here. It's also important to remember that you are writing this resume like a project you are submitting to the hiring manager of that company. Keep it from looking generic and make it look like it was written for THAT JOB.. Start that theme with the summary.
3. Skills: Showcasing Your Superpowers
This section is crucial for both human readers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). ATS software scans for keywords, so make sure you're including terms directly from the job posting (as long as you genuinely possess those skills, of course!).
How to Organize It:
Categorize: Break skills into logical groups. This makes it easier to read and digest.
Examples: Technical Skills, Software Proficiencies, Marketing Tools, Languages, Project Management Skills, Soft Skills (like Communication, Leadership, Problem-Solving).
Be Specific: Instead of "Microsoft Office," list "MS Word, MS Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs), MS PowerPoint, MS Outlook." Instead of "Social Media," list "Social Media Marketing (Facebook, Instagram Ads, Twitter, LinkedIn), Hootsuite, Sprout Social."
Example:
Technical Skills: Python, SQL, JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, Git, AWS (S3, EC2) Software Proficiencies: Salesforce (Administrator), Tableau, Google Analytics, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Microsoft Office Suite (Advanced Excel) Project Management: Agile, Scrum, Jira, Trello Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Conversational)
Coach's Tip: Don't just list skills; be prepared to provide specific examples of how you've used these skills in your "Professional Work History" section. This is where you prove it!
4. Professional Work History: Your Career Story in Action
This is the core of your resume. Focus on achievements and quantifiable results, not just a list of duties. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in your mind when crafting these bullet points.
Format for Each Role:
Company Name, Location
Your Job Title
Dates of Employment (Month, Year – Month, Year)
Bullet Points (3-5 per role usually):
Start each with a strong action verb (e.g., Managed, Developed, Led, Increased, Implemented, Created, Resolved).
Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. Numbers speak volumes!
Highlight achievements that are relevant to the job you're applying for.
Example Bullet Points:
Instead of: "Responsible for managing social media accounts."
Try: "Managed and grew company's social media presence across 4 platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn), resulting in a 35% increase in organic engagement and a 20% growth in followers within 12 months."
Instead of: "Handled customer complaints."
Try: "Resolved an average of 25+ customer inquiries and escalations daily, achieving a 95% customer satisfaction rating and reducing complaint resolution time by 15%."
Instead of: "Participated in team projects."
Try: "Led a cross-functional team of 5 in the successful launch of a new product line, delivering the project on time and 10% under budget, contributing to a 15% revenue increase in the first quarter post-launch."
5. Certifications, Awards, and Volunteer Work: The Extras That Shine
This section can really help you stand out, especially if the experience is relevant or showcases desirable traits like leadership, initiative, or specialized knowledge.
Certifications & Awards:
List the name of the certification/award, the issuing institution, and the date received (or "In Progress" if applicable).
Example:
Project Management Professional (PMP) – Project Management Institute, 2022
Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ) – Google, 2023
Employee of the Month – ABC Corp, June 2021
Volunteer Work:
Treat it like professional experience if it's substantial or showcases relevant skills. Include the organization name, your role, dates, and a brief description of your responsibilities or achievements.
Example:
Volunteer Event Coordinator, Local Food Bank (2020 – Present)
Organized and managed 3 annual fundraising events, each raising over $10,000 and increasing volunteer participation by 25%.
6. Education: Your Academic Foundation
Keep this section concise and clear.
What to Include:
Name of Institution, Location
Degree(s) Earned (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Marketing)
Major/Minor
Graduation Year (or Expected Graduation Date)
(Optional): Relevant coursework, GPA (if impressive, typically 3.5 or higher, and if you're a recent grad), honors (e.g., Cum Laude, Dean's List). Generally, you can remove GPA once you have a few years of work experience.
Example:
University of Excellence, City, State Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Minor in Public Relations Graduated: May 2019 Dean's List: 2017-2019
Coach's Tip: If you're a recent graduate with limited work experience, you might consider placing your Education section before your Professional Work History.
Template Traps to Avoid Like a Bad Blind Date
Okay, a little tough love here. Not all templates are created equal. Steer clear of:
Overly Flashy Designs: Columns that are hard for ATS to read, too many colors, distracting graphics, or unusual fonts can work against you. Professionalism and readability are key.
Photo Resumes: Unless you're in a field like acting or modeling, photos are generally not recommended in places like the US, Canada, or the UK, as they can introduce unconscious bias.
Templates with Tables or Text Boxes for Core Info: Some ATS software struggles to parse information from tables and text boxes. Stick to standard formatting.
Tiny Fonts or No White Space: Don't make the hiring manager squint! Use a readable font size (10-12pt for body text) and ensure there's enough white space to make the resume easy on the eyes.
Finding "The One" (Your Perfect Template, That Is)
So, where do you find these magical, ATS-friendly, hiring-manager-approved templates?
Word Processors (like Microsoft Word or Google Docs): They often have built-in templates that are a good starting point. Just be sure to choose one that’s clean and simple.
Online Resume Builders: Many offer well-designed, ATS-friendly templates (some free, some paid).
Graphic Design Tools (like Canva): These can be great, but be cautious. Prioritize readability and ATS compatibility over pure aesthetics. Sometimes simpler is better.
Key things to look for:
Clear Hierarchy: Is it obvious what the different sections are?
Standard Font: Stick to classics like Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, or Times New Roman.
Ample White Space: It makes your resume much easier to read.
ATS-Friendliness: Generally, simpler, single-column layouts are safer.
What's your biggest challenge when choosing a resume template?
Too many options!
Making it ATS-friendly
Fitting all my info
Making it look unique but professional
You can vote for more than one answer.
Final Thoughts from Your Career Bloom Coach
Choosing the right template for your resume can seem like a simple decision but it can make a big difference in whether or not your resume makes it past the initial stages of the process.
The first thing we look at when we scan a resume is the overall template. We want to see if you can compile information into a clear, concise and readable format. Communication is a vital part of all positions. We are judging your ability to do that from the get go aka.. Your Resume Template.
So go out there and find a template that makes your experience BLOOM!!
~Lauren 🌸
The Bloom Blog
Career Column 2025
Written by Lauren Deats
Career Bloom Solutions LLC.
Comentarios