What is a resume?

Read Time: Approx. 3 minutes

Welcome to Resume To Go! Thanks for visiting our website!

Now that you're here, and after reading and learning what we do, some of you might be wondering "What is a resume anyway? Why is it so important that every job application requires one? Can't they see I'm already great?!"

Rest assured hiring reps do want to see the great things you have to offer, and a resume does just that! In this brief article, we'll break down what a resume is, how resumes are used in job searches, why they matter, and how you can take advantage of this pinnacle of a tool. Think of this article as a conversation, where you ask the questions and we answer them!

"How do resumes showcase who I am to a hiring rep if they haven't even met me?"

That's just the thing! With a resume, you don't have to go out of your way to commute far from home, give it your best shot, just to get told they don't think this will work. With your resume, you can skip the unnecessary hassle that comes with job searching and directly contact reps with your qualifications online and quickly. This tool allows hiring reps to briefly get to know you and get back to you quickly rather than through a lengthy hiring process. This also helps if a job isn't a great fit; you're able to know quicker than you would have, had you gone in person and sat through a lengthy introductory process. 

"Does this mean I'll be rejected even if I try and send in my resume?"

Quite the contrary. Though some opportunities don't always work out, having your resume ready to go allows for easy access and the ability to contact multiple job offices at once. This results in you receiving more genuine callbacks, and positive responses, and getting through hiring processes promptly as opposed to waiting for when you can make a trip to another no-where-nearby office. 

Inevitably you'll have to go to the office for the final interview. Resumes and online applications save time from unnecessary traveling.

"How are resumes usually structured?"

Resumes are structured for both the convenience of the hiring rep and the optimal way to showcase all of your skill sets and experiences. They usually follow functional, chronological, reverse-chronological, and combination formats to showcase your information. Now, what are all these? In short, they are ways that you can order your previous work experiences, so any hiring rep can see how relevant any of your past experiences are to the job you applied for.

The way you organize your list actually can influence how a rep thinks about your ability to adapt, your sense of work ethic, workability, and (though it may seem obvious) your organization skills. In addition to telling them about what you've done, how you set up your resume gives hiring reps an idea of how good you are at attention to detail, as well as organizing your thoughts and presentation. These are important to consider especially if the job your applying for requires you to have these three core skill sets. For a deeper breakdown, you can check out our youtube channel for more information! 

"Is there a specific theme my resume has to follow to be even considered by hiring reps?" 

Believe it or not, no you don't. Now, you might be wondering, how is that so? As the saying goes, "It's not what you say, but how you say it", the same principle applies to resumes. They can come in all themes, colors, and formats regarding how they look aesthetically, but they just need to be legible and effective. Some resumes are more effective and optimal for certain types of careers than others. For example, for a nurse or doctor, a straightforward, cleanly typed, and awesome resume would be more effective for your application as opposed to a resume suited for actors. The same could be said for the latter, if you're an aspiring artist or actor a resume with a headshot and a splash of creativity would help express who you are and your aesthetic fit for the position you're applying for.

With a vast array of options for styles, formats, and attractive vocab, it's best to decide on a resume that can fit all your needs and desires, while increasing your chances to get hired. 

Resume To Go is dedicated to crafting custom resumes that get you hired. When you work with us, you will receive a resume that gets results. We offer you the opportunity to let us know what you want on paper, and we do all the work for you.

Free of the hassle of researching on your own, the stress of how it should look and deadlines, and more time to prepare for your interview and your first day on the job! Check out our products and pick what you’d like us to do, and we’ll do the rest. Just like good takeout, we’ll get your resume ready to go!

Written by: Angel Champagne

Last Updated: February 24th, 2023