resume-optimizer/references/templates.md

Resume Templates

This document contains structured templates for three resume formats. Use the format selection guide in SKILL.md to choose the appropriate template.

Table of Contents

1. Chronological Template
2. Functional Template
3. Combination Template
4. JSON Structure for PDF Generation

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Chronological Template

Best for: Most professionals, especially those staying in same field with consistent work history.

Structure

[FULL NAME]
[City, State] | [Phone] | [Email] | [LinkedIn URL] | [Portfolio/Website]

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PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
[2-4 sentences: experience level, key skills, value proposition, relevant keywords]

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

[Job Title] | [Company Name], [City, State]
[Month Year] – [Month Year or "Present"]
• [Achievement bullet with action verb and quantifiable result]
• [Achievement bullet with action verb and quantifiable result]
• [Achievement bullet with action verb and quantifiable result]
• [Achievement bullet with action verb and quantifiable result]

[Job Title] | [Company Name], [City, State]
[Month Year] – [Month Year]
• [Achievement bullet]
• [Achievement bullet]
• [Achievement bullet]

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EDUCATION

[Degree], [Major] | [University Name], [City, State]
[Month Year] | [GPA if 3.5+ and recent graduate]
• [Relevant honors, awards, or distinctions if applicable]

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SKILLS

[Category]: [Skill 1], [Skill 2], [Skill 3], [Skill 4], [Skill 5]
[Category]: [Skill 1], [Skill 2], [Skill 3], [Skill 4], [Skill 5]

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CERTIFICATIONS (if applicable)

[Certification Name] | [Issuing Organization] | [Month Year]

Usage Notes

• Length: 1 page for 0-10 years, 2 pages for 10+ years
• Bullets: 4-6 per recent position, 2-3 for older positions
• Tense: Past for previous roles, present for current role
• Each bullet starts with action verb and includes metrics where possible

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Functional Template

Best for: Career changers, employment gaps, emphasizing transferable skills over work history.

Structure

[FULL NAME]
[City, State] | [Phone] | [Email] | [LinkedIn URL] | [Portfolio/Website]

---

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
[3-4 sentences: career transition explanation, transferable skills, value proposition, target role keywords]

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CORE COMPETENCIES

[Skill Category 1]
• [Specific skill or competency relevant to target role]
• [Specific skill or competency relevant to target role]
• [Specific skill or competency relevant to target role]

[Skill Category 2]
• [Specific skill or competency relevant to target role]
• [Specific skill or competency relevant to target role]
• [Specific skill or competency relevant to target role]

[Skill Category 3]
• [Specific skill or competency relevant to target role]
• [Specific skill or competency relevant to target role]

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RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

[Functional Skill Area 1 - e.g., "Project Management"]

[Achievement demonstrating this skill]
[Context] | [Timeframe if relevant]
• [Detailed accomplishment with metrics showing impact]
• [Detailed accomplishment with metrics showing impact]

[Functional Skill Area 2 - e.g., "Data Analysis"]

[Achievement demonstrating this skill]
[Context] | [Timeframe if relevant]
• [Detailed accomplishment with metrics showing impact]

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EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

[Job Title] | [Company Name], [City, State] | [Month Year] – [Month Year]
[Job Title] | [Company Name], [City, State] | [Month Year] – [Month Year]
[Job Title] | [Company Name], [City, State] | [Month Year] – [Month Year]

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TECHNICAL SKILLS

[Category]: [Skill 1], [Skill 2], [Skill 3], [Skill 4], [Skill 5]

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EDUCATION & TRAINING

[Degree], [Major] | [University Name], [City, State]
[Month Year]

[Recent Certification or Bootcamp] | [Institution]
[Month Year]

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PROJECTS (Recommended for career changers)

[Project Name]
[Technologies/skills used] | [Link if available]
• [Description of project and its impact or learning outcomes]
• [Quantifiable results if applicable]

Usage Notes

• Professional Summary is CRITICAL - must clearly explain career transition
• Employment History is intentionally brief (just titles, companies, dates)
• Draw examples from any context: work, volunteer, projects, education
• Projects section highly recommended to demonstrate current skills

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Combination Template

Best for: Mid-career professionals who want to emphasize both skills and career progression.

Structure

[FULL NAME]
[City, State] | [Phone] | [Email] | [LinkedIn URL] | [Portfolio/Website]

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PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
[3-4 sentences: unique value proposition, key skill areas, relevant achievements, bridge between experience and target role]

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CORE COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

[Skill Category 1]: [Skill], [Skill], [Skill], [Skill], [Skill]
[Skill Category 2]: [Skill], [Skill], [Skill], [Skill], [Skill]
[Skill Category 3]: [Skill], [Skill], [Skill], [Skill], [Skill]
[Skill Category 4]: [Skill], [Skill], [Skill], [Skill], [Skill]

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KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

• [Achievement Title]: [Detailed accomplishment with context and quantifiable impact]
• [Achievement Title]: [Detailed accomplishment with context and quantifiable impact]
• [Achievement Title]: [Detailed accomplishment with context and quantifiable impact]

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

[Job Title] | [Company Name], [City, State]
[Month Year] – [Month Year or "Present"]
[Optional: 1-sentence company description if not well-known]
• [Achievement-focused bullet with quantifiable result]
• [Achievement-focused bullet with quantifiable result]
• [Achievement-focused bullet with quantifiable result]
• [Achievement-focused bullet with quantifiable result]
Key Skills: [Skill 1], [Skill 2], [Skill 3], [Skill 4]

[Job Title] | [Company Name], [City, State]
[Month Year] – [Month Year]
• [Achievement-focused bullet with quantifiable result]
• [Achievement-focused bullet with quantifiable result]
• [Achievement-focused bullet with quantifiable result]
Key Skills: [Skill 1], [Skill 2], [Skill 3], [Skill 4]

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EDUCATION

[Degree], [Major] | [University Name], [City, State]
[Month Year] | [Honors if applicable]

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CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

[Certification Name] | [Issuing Organization]
[Credential ID if applicable] | [Month Year]

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TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES

[Category]: [Tool/Technology], [Tool/Technology], [Tool/Technology]
[Category]: [Tool/Technology], [Tool/Technology], [Tool/Technology]

Usage Notes

• Usually 2 pages for mid-career professionals
• "Key Skills" lines connect experience to competencies for ATS
• Key Achievements section is optional but powerful for career-defining moments
• Balance: don't let skills section overshadow concrete work experience

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JSON Structure for PDF Generation

When using scripts/generate_resume_pdf.py, structure content as JSON:

{
  "format": "chronological|functional|combination",
  "contact": {
    "name": "Full Name",
    "location": "City, State",
    "phone": "555-555-5555",
    "email": "[email protected]",
    "linkedin": "linkedin.com/in/profile",
    "website": "portfolio.com"
  },
  "summary": "Professional summary text...",
  "skills": [
    {
      "category": "Technical Skills",
      "items": ["Skill 1", "Skill 2", "Skill 3"]
    }
  ],
  "experience": [
    {
      "title": "Job Title",
      "company": "Company Name",
      "location": "City, State",
      "dates": "Month Year – Present",
      "bullets": [
        "Achievement with metrics",
        "Another achievement"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "education": [
    {
      "degree": "Bachelor of Science",
      "major": "Computer Science",
      "school": "University Name",
      "location": "City, State",
      "date": "May 2020",
      "details": ["GPA: 3.8", "Dean's List"]
    }
  ],
  "certifications": [
    {
      "name": "Certification Name",
      "issuer": "Issuing Organization",
      "date": "Month Year"
    }
  ],
  "projects": [
    {
      "name": "Project Name",
      "technologies": "Python, React, AWS",
      "link": "github.com/project",
      "description": "Brief description with impact"
    }
  ],
  "key_achievements": [
    {
      "title": "Achievement Category",
      "description": "Detailed accomplishment with metrics"
    }
  ],
  "core_competencies": [
    {
      "category": "Skill Category",
      "items": ["Competency 1", "Competency 2"]
    }
  ],
  "relevant_experience": [
    {
      "skill_area": "Project Management",
      "achievements": [
        {
          "title": "Led cross-functional initiative",
          "context": "Previous Company",
          "bullets": ["Achievement 1", "Achievement 2"]
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "employment_history": [
    {
      "title": "Job Title",
      "company": "Company",
      "location": "City, State",
      "dates": "2018 – 2021"
    }
  ]
}

Field Requirements by Format

Chronological:

• Required: contact, summary, experience, education, skills
• Optional: certifications, projects

Functional:

• Required: contact, summary, core_competencies, relevant_experience, employment_history, education
• Optional: technical_skills, projects, certifications

Combination:

• Required: contact, summary, skills, experience, education
• Optional: key_achievements, certifications, technical_proficiencies, projects