What makes a resume template corporate?
A corporate resume template is designed to convey professionalism and align with business standards. It uses clean, classic designs and simple, readable fonts to emphasize skills and expertise while maintaining a polished, formal appearance.
A corporate resume template is a great choice for those who work in a more traditional, conservative environment, such as law, finance, or business, where confidence and diligence are valued traits.
A corporate resume template has the following attributes:
- A formal structure: this template has a traditional layout with clearly-defined headers and content that is organized in a straightforward manner, allowing for easy readability.
- A professional tone: a corporate template has a minimalist “look” including thin, elegant lines, conservative use of color, and small, tasteful graphics (if used at all).
- An emphasis on content: an appropriate corporate template places the focus on experience and achievements that allow the user to highlight thoughtfulness, leadership, and the ability to handle high-level responsibilities.
What is the best format for a resume for a corporate job?
While there are several formatting options for resumes, such as the functional or hybrid formats, the preferred format for corporate positions is the reverse chronological.
This format emphasizes work history and accomplishments (rather than education or skills), and is preferred by most hiring managers. It provides a clear “snapshot” of your career progression, providing concise information about your previous positions as well as your important achievements, projects, and special recognitions.
This reverse-chronological layout is also ATS-friendly, as it has clear section headers, and your work history is laid out in a simple, clean manner that allows it to be read by the Automated Tracking System (ATS), which is used by most large corporations.
Having a resume that is ATS-friendly increases your chances of making it through the system and into the hands of an actual human who can call you for an interview.
Pros and cons of using a corporate resume template
Corporate resume templates can be an effective choice, but they’re not for every situation. Before selecting your format, consider the following:
Pros
- Professional: it presents a professional appearance, suitable for formal industries.
- Is career-forward: this format emphasizes experience and skills in a structured manner.
- Follows corporate norms: a corporate resume template aligns with the expectations of corporate recruiters and hiring managers.
Cons
- Lacks flexibility: may feel rigid or less creative for candidates in non-traditional roles.
- Doesn’t stand out: lacking visual distinction, it can blend in with other applications,
- Less eye-catching: not ideal for fields that prioritize personal branding or creative flair.
Job-specific examples of corporate resumes
Here are a few examples of effective corporate resume formats that can work for you in your job hunt.
Prague template
A clean, clear, ATS-friendly resume layout with a simple font that places your work experience front and center.
Berlin template
With a bold, modern look perfect for QA professionals, this layout is straightforward and classic without any unnecessary bells and whistles.
Santiago template
This monochrome look is perfect for HR professionals, such as recruiters, who would benefit from an up-to-date, elegant layout with delineated sections to set your experience and skills apart from the crowd.