Resumes / by Laura DeCarlo.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

DeCarlo, Laura.

Series:

--For dummies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Résumés (Employment).

Job hunting.

Applications to positions.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (323 pages)

Edition:

9th ed.

Other Title:

Resumes for dummies

Place of Publication:

2026.

Hoboken, NJ : John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, [2026]

Summary:

Craft a resume that gets results Many resumes are screened by technology or human gatekeepers before they ever reach a decisionmaker. And when they do, the average review lasts only seconds before a judgement is made. Resumes For Dummies, 9th Edition delivers an easy-to-read walkthrough for job seekers packed with the essential skills, tools, and strategies you need to land your next role. The book shows you how to create a resume that's compelling, concise, informative, and eye-catching, with plenty of real-world examples. You'll learn how to tailor your resume for each opportunity and audience, helping you to stand out, get interviews, and move your career forward. Inside: Write powerful action statements that tell the story of your experience Follow step-by-step guides for using generative AI tools to draft a powerful resume while avoiding common, critical mistakes Optimize your resume for algorithmic and automated screening tools while impressing human reviewers Perfect for career changers, young professionals launching their careers, and those re-entering the workforce after an extended break, Resumes For Dummies, 9th Edition is a hands-on, start-to-finish roadmap to crafting a stellar resume.

Contents:

Intro

Title Page

Copyright Page

Table of Contents

Introduction

About This Book

Foolish Assumptions

Icons Used in This Book

Beyond the Book

Where to Go from Here

Part 1 Creating Today's Winning Resume

Chapter 1 Getting Hired in the AI Era

Writing a Resume: It's Still Required

Keeping Up or Staying Behind

Inviting AI, navigating the risks

Catching up with hiring trends

Positioning Your Resume to Win

Getting in the door with a marketing mindset

Treating yourself like a brand

Zeroing in on what employers crave

Chapter 2 Selecting the Best Resume Format

Using a Resume Format to Gain an Advantage

Navigating online application and content parsing

Understanding resume formats

Choosing the Reverse-Chronological Format

Understanding the reverse-chronological format

Structuring the RC resume

Chrono-Functional Format

Understanding the chrono-functional resume format

Structuring the chrono-functional resume

Introducing the Hybrid Format

Bridging gaps without raising flags with the hybrid format

Structuring the hybrid format resume

Chapter 3 Mapping Out the Parts: Resume Essentials

Breaking Down the Parts of Your Resume

Listing Contact Details That Get You Found

Framing Your Focus with a Bold Objective

Grabbing the Reader with a Branding Summary

Maximizing your opening pitch

Showcasing your value in a snapshot

Matching the Job Target with Key Skills

Highlighting hard skills that employers crave

Conveying soft skills with substance

Proving through Experience

Structuring your professional history

Emphasizing experience that aligns

Incorporating competencies with impact

Making the Grade with Education

Detailing your degree the best way

Featuring certifications that matter

Listing licenses with purpose.

Gaining Extra Points with Employers

Including relevant activities

Aligning with organizations and affiliations

Spotlighting honors and awards

Getting endorsements

Trimming Details That Don't Belong

Dodging the salary trap

Holding off on references

Chapter 4 Laying the Groundwork for Resume Brilliance

Getting Started by Gathering Data

Compiling the Content for the Basis of Your Resume

Starting with your employment and responsibilities

Digging deep to mine for career story gold

Connecting actions to tangible results

Taking the Next Steps

Considering other accomplishments

Brainstorming your way to standout wins

Saying it with numbers

Saying it with percentages

Saying it with dollar amounts

Your Core Resume: Turning Your Data into Dynamite

Assembling the bones of the resume

Tackling your most recent or related experience first

Focusing on older positions that still count

Playing up other relevant experience

Building your brand in the summary section

Understanding the Purpose of the Core Resume

Chapter 5 Crafting Job-Focused Resumes the OnTarget Way

Challenging the Myth of "Good Enough"

Turning a Generic Resume into an Interview-Generating Resume

Parsing the first glance

Parsing through applicant tracking system filters and bots

Landing strong with decision-makers

Aligning Your Resume to the Role Using Crossover Lanugage

Part 2 Crafting Resumes That Command Attention

Chapter 6 Turning Core Content into Gold with AI

Writing Faster and Smarter After You've Done the Thinking

Finding the fit and extracting keywords

Prompting powerful summary statements

Transforming raw content into a results-driven resume

Avoiding AI Traps and Mistakes

Chapter 7 Working Wonders with Wow Words

Understanding Wow Words

Sparking Action with Wow Verbs.

Administration and management

Communications and creativity

Sales and persuasion

Technical ability

Office support

Teaching and training

Research and analysis

Helping and caregiving

Financial management

Wowing Your Way to More with AI

Polishing Resume Language

Chapter 8 Refining Your Design for Maximum Impact

Arranging Your Layout for Instant Appeal

Measuring your margins with intention

Balancing blank space for readability

Employing Basic Design Elements for a Readable Resume

Breaking up blocky text

Group content under each role

Drawing attention with simple visuals

Creating headers that draw the eye

Picking appropriate fonts and font styles

Staying consistent across elements

Applying final appearance touches

Standing out with a creative resume

Printing with Purpose and Polish

Chapter 9 Navigating a Major Life Change

Scoring Big with Your First Gig

Promoting strengths with no experience

Recognizing rookie blind spots

Demonstrating value as a recent graduate

Data-mine your college experience

Clarify your aim

Summarize what makes you stand out

Sell your skills, knowledge, and training

Experience isn't just about paid jobs

Dump unhelpful information

Make unrelated work history relatable

Avoiding common new graduate mistakes

Moving Beyond "Too Old" to "In Demand"

Selling your strengths as a seasoned pro

Busting myths about mature workers

Leveraging experience to stay competitive

Match your target job description

Shorten your resume

Focus your resume

Show that you're a tower of strength

Demonstrate cultural and professional awareness

Send your resume online

Remove outdated education dates

Trim your resume to fighting weight

Employ appropriate headings

Considering a lower-level role strategically.

Dodging mistakes that seasoned workers make

Shifting from Military Work to Civilian Employment

Highlighting strengths from military service

Addressing employer concerns up front

Transitioning smoothly into civilian roles

Writing for civilian markets

Resources to consider

Translating "milspeak" into civilian terms

Writing Your Resume While Coming Out or Living Authentically

Deciding what to share, when, and why

Positioning an LGBTQ+ affiliation as a strength

Highlighting community impact and advocacy roles

Chapter 10 Overcoming Career Roadblocks

Navigating Job Gaps

Reframing career gap as growth

Bridging the gap with confidence

Reentering the Workforce after Caregiving

Seeking a Job When You Have a Disability

Deciding whether to disclose a disability

Explaining gaps with honesty and strategy

When substance abuse is the problem

Seeking a Job When You're an Ex-Offender

Preventing negative info from derailing your search

Avoiding chronological format pitfalls

Getting support for successful reentry

Addressing Experience Dilemmas

Staying competitive with one long-term job

Divide your job into career milestones

Deal honestly with job titles

Tackle deadly perceptions head-on

Boosting value with thin experience

Addressing Situations Not in Your Control

Bouncing back after several layoffs

Explaining changes from mergers and acquisitions

Handling Red-Flag Circumstances

Explaining a demotion without shame

Option one: Use the big umbrella

Option two: Group like with like

Option three: Explain it away

Turning job-hopping into value

When contract or agency work looks like job hopping

Framing self-employed or family employment with credibility

Part 3 Exploring Real-World Resumes That Work.

Chapter 11 Matching Industry and Career Fields with On Target Resumes

Chapter 12 Aligning Experience and Age with On Target Resumes

Chapter 13 Navigating Special Circumstances with On Target Resumes

Chapter 14 Award-Winning Creative Resumes

Part 4 The Part of Tens

Chapter 15 Ten Ways to Improve Your Resume

Matching Your Resume to the Job

Using Bulleted Style for Easy Reading

Discovering the Art of Lost Articles

Selling, Not Telling

Showing Off Your Value

Making Sure Your Words Work Together

Reaching Out with Strength

Trashing Wimpy Objectives

Delivering the Right File, Every Time

Erasing What Doesn't Belong

Chapter 16 Ten Ways to Increase the Odds of Landing a Job

Avoiding the Trap of Applying Everywhere

Aiming Your Resume at the Bull's-Eye

Acting Fast and Following Instructions

Removing Red Flags from Your Resume

Reaching Out Directly to the Hiring Manager

Finding an Advocate on the Inside

Staying Consistent and Persistent

Tapping the Power of LinkedIn

Searching Company Websites Strategically

Using Job Boards with Caution and Clear Intention

Chapter 17 Ten Tips for Choosing Professional Resume Help

Spotting a Resume Template "Pro"

Requesting a Free Initial Consultation

Locking Down Scope, Timeline, and Revisions

Targeting Certified Professionals for Expert Results

Evaluating the Writer's Resume Samples Critically

Asking for References and Testimonials

Seeking Interviews and Connection over Forms

Aiming for Fit, Not Just Flash

Avoiding Bargain Resumes That Cost More

Verifying and Being Vigilant to Avoid Scams

Chapter 18 Your Ten-Point Resume Checklist

Targeting Qualifications for a Match

Sharpening Focus

Selecting the Right Format and Style

Highlighting Accomplishments and Skills

Polishing Language and Power Expressions

Funneling Content to the Goal.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-394-39252-4

9781394392520

OCLC:

1574121732