--- name: cv-resume-builder description: Optimize resumes and CVs for impact, ATS compatibility, and audience targeting. Supports multiple formats (chronological, functional, hybrid), accomplishment framing (STAR/XYZ), and tailoring for specific roles. Triggers on resume review, CV update, job application prep, or career document requests. license: MIT complexity: beginner time_to_learn: 30min tags: - resume - cv - career - job-search - ats - professional --- # CV/Resume Builder Transform career history into compelling professional narrative. ## Document Types | Document | Length | Audience | Use Case | |----------|--------|----------|----------| | Resume | 1-2 pages | US employers, recruiters | Job applications | | CV | 2+ pages | Academia, research, international | Academic positions, grants | | LinkedIn | N/A | Network, recruiters | Passive visibility | | Bio | 1 paragraph - 1 page | Speaking, publications | Introductions | --- ## Resume Framework ### Structure (Chronological) ``` [Header: Name, Contact, Links] [Summary: 2-3 sentences positioning] [Experience: Reverse chronological] [Skills: Relevant technical/domain skills] [Education: Degrees, certifications] [Optional: Projects, Publications, Awards] ``` ### Structure (Functional/Skills-Based) ``` [Header] [Summary] [Skills Categories] - Category 1: Accomplishments - Category 2: Accomplishments [Work History: Brief, dates/titles only] [Education] ``` ### Structure (Hybrid) ``` [Header] [Summary] [Key Skills/Core Competencies] [Experience: Chronological with accomplishments] [Education] [Additional: Projects, Certs, etc.] ``` --- ## Accomplishment Writing ### STAR Method ``` Situation: [Context/challenge] Task: [Your responsibility] Action: [What you did specifically] Result: [Quantified outcome] ``` ### XYZ Formula (Google Style) ``` Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z] ``` **Examples**: - Accomplished 40% reduction in page load time by implementing lazy loading and CDN optimization - Grew user retention from 23% to 41% by redesigning onboarding flow based on user research ### PAR Method ``` Problem: [What was broken/needed] Action: [Your intervention] Result: [Measurable outcome] ``` ### Weak → Strong Transformations | Weak | Strong | |------|--------| | Responsible for website maintenance | Maintained 99.9% uptime for e-commerce platform serving 50K daily users | | Helped with customer support | Resolved 150+ customer tickets monthly with 94% satisfaction rating | | Worked on marketing campaigns | Led email campaigns generating $2.3M pipeline over 6 months | | Managed social media | Grew Instagram following from 5K to 45K in 12 months through content strategy | --- ## Quantification Guide ### Metrics to Include | Category | Metrics | |----------|---------| | Scale | Users, transactions, revenue, team size | | Improvement | % increase/decrease, before→after | | Efficiency | Time saved, cost reduced, speed improved | | Quality | Error rate, satisfaction score, accuracy | | Frequency | Daily/weekly/monthly volume | ### When You Don't Have Numbers - Estimate reasonably: "approximately," "over," "nearly" - Use relative scale: "largest," "first," "only" - Describe scope: "company-wide," "cross-functional," "enterprise" - Note recognition: "selected for," "promoted to," "awarded" --- ## ATS Optimization ### Do's - Use standard section headers (Experience, Education, Skills) - Include keywords from job description - Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times) - Save as .docx or .pdf (check requirements) - Use simple formatting (no tables, columns, graphics) - Spell out acronyms at least once ### Don'ts - Headers/footers (often not parsed) - Text boxes or images - Fancy fonts or colors - Complex tables or columns - Only acronyms without spelled-out versions ### Keyword Strategy 1. Extract keywords from 3-5 similar job postings 2. Identify frequency (common = important) 3. Include exact phrases where authentic 4. Place in Skills section and naturally in Experience 5. Match their terminology (e.g., "Agile" vs "agile methodology") --- ## Tailoring Strategy ### Per-Application Customization | Element | Customization Level | |---------|---------------------| | Summary | High - rewrite for each role | | Experience bullets | Medium - reorder, emphasize relevant | | Skills | High - match job requirements | | Job titles | Low - keep honest, can clarify | | Education | Low - standard unless relevant | ### Tailoring Checklist - [ ] Summary addresses their specific needs - [ ] Most relevant experience is prominent - [ ] Keywords from job posting are included - [ ] Skills section matches requirements - [ ] Removed irrelevant experience/skills - [ ] Company/industry language used --- ## CV Framework (Academic) ### Structure ``` [Header: Name, Contact, ORCID, institutional affiliation] [Education: All degrees with dates, advisors, dissertation] [Academic Appointments: Positions held] [Publications: By type - books, articles, chapters] [Presentations: Conferences, invited talks] [Grants & Fellowships: Funded projects] [Teaching: Courses taught, evaluations] [Service: Committees, reviews, mentoring] [Awards & Honors] [Professional Memberships] [References: Available upon request or listed] ``` ### Publication Formatting ``` # Journal Articles Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. *Journal Name*, Volume(Issue), pages. DOI # Book Chapters Author, A. A. (Year). Chapter title. In E. E. Editor (Ed.), *Book title* (pp. xx-xx). Publisher. # Conference Proceedings Author, A. A. (Year, Month). Paper title. Paper presented at Conference Name, Location. ``` --- ## Section Templates ### Summary/Profile ``` [Role] with [X years] experience in [domain]. Proven track record of [key accomplishment type]. Seeking [target role] where I can [value proposition]. ``` **Examples**: ``` Full-stack developer with 6 years building scalable web applications. Led migration to microservices architecture serving 2M users. Seeking senior engineering role focused on platform infrastructure. ``` ``` Composition instructor and multimedia artist bridging creative practice with technical implementation. Published researcher in [field] with experience teaching 500+ students. Seeking role combining pedagogy with emerging technology. ``` ### Experience Entry ``` **[Title]** | [Company] | [Location] | [Start Date] – [End Date] - [Accomplishment with metric] by [action taken] - [Accomplishment with metric] by [action taken] - [Accomplishment with scope/scale indicator] ``` ### Skills Section ``` **Technical**: [Skill], [Skill], [Skill] **Tools**: [Tool], [Tool], [Tool] **Methods**: [Method], [Method], [Method] **Languages**: [Language] (fluent), [Language] (conversational) ``` --- ## Review Checklist ### Content - [ ] Contact info current and professional - [ ] Summary tailored to target role - [ ] All bullets are accomplishments, not duties - [ ] Metrics included where possible - [ ] No first-person pronouns (I, me, my) - [ ] Consistent tense (past for past roles, present for current) ### Format - [ ] Fits page limit (1 page for <10 years, 2 pages for senior) - [ ] Consistent formatting throughout - [ ] Adequate white space - [ ] Font readable (10-12pt body) - [ ] Margins reasonable (0.5-1 inch) ### ATS - [ ] Keywords from job posting included - [ ] Standard section headers used - [ ] No images, tables, or text boxes - [ ] File format correct (.docx or .pdf) ### Polish - [ ] Proofread (no typos, grammar errors) - [ ] Dates are accurate and consistent - [ ] No outdated information - [ ] Someone else has reviewed --- --- ## Related Skills ### Complementary Skills (Use Together) - **[portfolio-presentation](../portfolio-presentation/)** - Build a portfolio to showcase alongside your resume - **[interview-preparation](../interview-preparation/)** - Prepare for interviews after your resume lands opportunities - **[networking-outreach](../networking-outreach/)** - Professional networking to complement job applications ### Alternative Skills (Similar Purpose) - None - this is the primary resume/CV skill ### Prerequisite Skills (Learn First) - None required - this is a standalone professional skill --- ## References - `references/action-verbs.md` - Strong verbs by category - `references/industry-keywords.md` - Keywords by field - `references/formats.md` - Visual format examples ## Templates Ready-to-use resume templates in `assets/templates/`: - `chronological-resume.md` - Standard format for steady career progression - `hybrid-resume.md` - Skills summary + chronological experience (recommended for most) - `functional-resume.md` - Skills-based format for career changers - `academic-cv.md` - Full academic CV structure with publications, grants, teaching