Tools for Job Seekers & Hiring Managers, Industry Insights for All

Our goal is to develop meaningful alliances with both candidates and companies that continue well beyond a single placement. We don’t consider them clients, but partners and we do more than anyone in the business to set them up for success. Click on a category below for a boatload of helpful resources for individuals and organizations. We have everything you need to find a job or fill a job, fast.

Can’t find the resource you're looking for? Let us know how we can help.

Can’t find the job you're looking for? Upload your resume.

Sign up for our newsletter to receive a fresh job list every other week.

Spectrum Resume Writing Solutions

Your resume tells the story of your career. As such, it should be engaging, focused and readable. We aren't going to write your resume (not for free, anyway*), but we will do our best to tell you how much of what to put where and why. Although a good resume is a critical tool in your job search, a low-quality resume can lose you the job. Take the time to ensure it’s polished, professional, and ready to impress.

Check out the sample resume below and download an editable template here.

YOUR NAME

Your City, ST | C: 801.555.1234 | [email protected] | LinkedIn URL

SUMMARY

Introduce yourself with a brief summary of your actual strengths and specialties. This is not an objective statement! It's not all about what you want, it's about how your experience will benefit an employer. So, get over yourself! Speaking of which, avoid cliché superlatives. If you are in fact a driven, self-starting, dynamic leader, prove it with facts by adding your stats! Create your brand here rather than selling yourself. Don't be subjective about your own achievements and experience, they should speak for themselves. Here and throughout your resume, keep it short and relevant, not wordy. This intro, for example, is waaaaayyy too long. In fact, this sample resume is too long. Tighten it up!

SKILLS | ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Depending on where you are in life, this will be a short list of impressive achievements or a longer list of desirable skills.
  • Skills must be transferable, measurable and applicable to the job for which you are applying.
  • These 3-8 bullet points should illustrate actual, quantifiable accomplishments, including size and scope.
  • Use statistics whenever possible, e.g., business development numbers, budget, revenue, cost savings, new customer count, number of employees, et al.
  • Tailor this section to the specific job for which you are applying. Keep it fluid. The rest of the resume will remain static.
  • Military awards can go here. Extensive military experience can go under work history, especially when it is pertinent to the position.

EDUCATION | TRAINING

Your Degree - Related Field      Exclude your graduation date. Ageism is real!
Alma Mater University - Exampleville, USA

Degrees, certifications, licenses and the like should be listed right up top, especially when you know what they are looking for and you know you've got it!

ABC Certification - Necessary Skills      01/2022 (This date stays to let them know the certificate is current and valid)

Another Institution - Anytown, USA

Include a brief description here, if needed.

WORK | EXPERIENCE (if this part is more relevant than your education, move it up top!)

Your Position, Most Recent Employer, Inc. - Sample City, USA       01/2017 to present

Feel free to include a concise description of the company here: what they do, annual revenue, size of staff, etc.

  • Focus on key accomplishments and truly relevant experience. Use numbers as proof of your prowess.
  • Again, less is more! Describing your work history should not feel like rewriting your own job descriptions.
  • If you changed positions within the same company or worked for a company that changed names during your tenure, consider using a single block of dates with the different names, positions and responsibilities listed subsequently. This will prevent the appearance of job hopping.

Junior Position, Same Company, Different Name - Sample City, USA      No dates, same company

If it makes sense, tell about what you did here in more general terms then add measurables below.

  • Don't include more than 15 years of work experience unless it is absolutely pertinent.
  • Exclude unrelated experience completely unless that is really all you have.
  • First Real Job, Startup Industries - Collegetown, USA 01/2009 to 12/2016 Most prospective employers won't even make it this far into your resume before they know whether or not they want to proceed with you.
  • In fact, that decision is often made within the first ten seconds of perusing the document so it is important to find a way (aside from your amazing background) to stand out.
  • Add some color, eye-catching formatting and exciting verbiage, but avoid flashy fonts and italics. Stick with classic, clean lines and reasonable font sizes (this font, for example, is too small). Leave plenty of white space to help draw the eye around the page. Nobody goes to the ice cream shop for vanilla!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Include other relevant skills, awards, volunteering efforts, languages spoken and professional conquests here. Do not include a list (anywhere) of irrelevant personal interests and exploits. Guess what? Nobody cares 🙁
  • Especially when it comes to something like a religious service mission, don’t assume the reader will know exactly what you’re talking about. Use general terms everyone will understand like ‘full time representative’ and ‘religious organization’. Likewise, they may not understand how your participation applies to their situation. So, again, spotlight only skills and acts that are suitable.

REFERENCES

  • Don’t bother including references or writing ‘provided upon request’ on your resume. If and when the proper parties want them, they will ask. Leaving reference information out allows you time to contact prospective sources so they aren’t surprised by a request from someone out of the blue. They will also have more time to provide a thorough, thoughtful and naturally glowing recommendation for you. Not divulging references can also be helpful in keeping you apprised of a company’s interest level and the status of the hiring process. If they ask for them, you’re probably doing something right!

IN CLOSING...

  • The top third of the first page is critical, make it count! Your education and experience won’t change so highlight your strengths in the introduction and skills sections to make an immediate impression. This section of your resume should be easy to edit to include position-specific details.
  • No need to include your exact home address. Include only the city or geographical area to avoid false assumptions or judgments being made by HR representatives.
  • Links to portfolios and appropriate social media profiles can be useful but do not replace a resume.
  • Skip the photos. First of all, they are almost always cheesy (ask someone who really cares about you). They also immediately leave you subject to judgement and discrimination.
  • Size matters! Keep it to 1-3 pages in length. A good rule of thumb is about 5 years of experience per page of resume. Experience beyond 15 years is likely superfluous or can be trimmed down to 3 pages. Set margins between .7” and 1". Anything narrower is distracting, anything wider is a waste of space.

*We offer resume writing, job search coaching and more. Reach out now or visit Spectrum Outplacement Services for more info.

Spectrum's Comprehensive Interview Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive job interview guide, where we will equip you with the essential tools and techniques to instill the confidence needed to conquer any job interview, whether it's in-person, on the phone, or via video. Preparation is the foundation of success, regardless of the interview format and most of the following information applies in any interview setting.

Preparation icon

Preparation

Prepare thoroughly for your interview by researching the company, reviewing the job description, preparing thoughtful questions, tailoring your resume, and ensuring your technology is ready, particularly for virtual interviews.
Conversation icon

Conversation

Answer performance questions using the S.T.A.R. method (Situation, Task, Action, Results), stay professional, avoid negativity or oversharing, and ask thoughtful questions to leave a strong impression.
Etiquette icon

Etiquette

Be punctual, dress professionally, maintain positive body language, follow up after the interview, and stay authentic while showcasing your strengths and preparation to leave a lasting impression and achieve success in your job search.

Hiring Manager's Newsletter

Exempt and Non-Exempt in Manufacturing Employees typed on a piece of paper

Exempt vs. Non-Exempt: Tailoring Your Manufacturing Recruitment Strategy

Exempt vs. non-exempt classification directly impacts how you attract, recruit, and retain talent in the manufacturing and engineering sectors. Understanding ...
Read More
Diverse Woman recruited for a job interview sitting in spring colored chair waiting for hiring manager. Spring Recruitment Strategies.

Spring Recruitment Strategies for Hiring Success

Spring is a season of renewal, growth, and fresh starts—making it the perfect time to revitalize your recruitment strategies. Out ...
Read More

Staying Agile in an Evolving Talent Market

In today’s fast-paced hiring landscape, adaptability isn’t just an advantage - it’s essential. A flexible hiring approach keeps you ahead ...
Read More

Building a Diverse Talent Pipeline – Best Practices

In today’s fast-paced, competitive hiring landscape, one of the most important aspects of talent acquisition is building a diverse talent ...
Read More
Female mechanical engineer working in machinery in industry.

Career Development 101: How to Retain Talent by Fostering Growth

In today’s competitive landscape, the challenge of attracting and retaining top talent is more pressing than ever. While salaries and benefits remain important, employees ...
Read More
A group of engineers in a high-tech lab,

New Year, New Talent: Kickstarting 2025 with Purpose-Driven Hiring

As we step into 2025, the hiring landscape is undergoing significant transformation. Economic uncertainties, technological advances, and the shifting priorities ...
Read More

Job Seeker's Newsletter

Female Engineer following up after manufacturing interview

The Art of Following Up After an Interview

Interview follow up often distinguishes exceptional candidates in the competitive manufacturing and engineering job market. Proper follow-up demonstrates professionalism, reinforces ...
Read More
4 People Networking in Manufacturing and Engineering

Networking in Manufacturing and Engineering

Building the right professional network in manufacturing and engineering can create pathways to opportunities that job boards and applications alone ...
Read More
Diverse candidate using Job Search Strategies to interview for a Manufacturing & Engineering position

Job Search Strategies in Manufacturing & Engineering

For professionals in manufacturing and engineering, it's important to optimize your resume and LinkedIn profile, showcase your technical expertise, build ...
Read More
Two people working together in manufacturing plant on the computer

How to Leverage Transferable Skills for a Career Change

Thinking About a Career Change? Here’s How to Make Your Transferrable Skills Work for You!  Making a career change can ...
Read More
hands typing a LinkedIn profile

Your LinkedIn Profile: The Ultimate Career Growth Tool

Think of your LinkedIn profile as your digital handshake - a reflection of your confidence and professional brand. It’s often ...
Read More
business people shaking hands. Woman using Spectrum's Comprehensive Interview Guide to land a job.

Spectrum’s Comprehensive Interview Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive job interview guide, where we’ll equip you with the essential tools and techniques to confidently conquer ...
Read More