How to Use the XYZ Resume Format: A Complete Guide for Job Seekers

Dreaming of landing a job at a top-tier company like Google?

With your resume being the first impression you make, it's crucial that you can show a big impact. In this post, we'll uncover why recruiters at companies like Google love the XYZ resume format and why it's become one of the latest trends. Then, we will look at how to build an effective, professional resume that stands out in a sea of applicants.

Get ready to make your bullet points bulletproof and secure your place at your dream company!

What is the XYZ Format?

The XYZ resume format is a standardized approach to how the information you put in each bullet point under the work experience section on your resume is presented.

It focuses on clarity, relevance, and structure. This format also forces you to come up with specific, measurable impacts from previous work experiences.

The XYZ format is designed to help you stand out by clearly showing your achievements.

• Achievement (X): Begin with a strong action verb! Start each bullet point with a compelling action verb that emphasizes the quantifiable result of your action. These action words capture the reader's attention and highlight your achievements.
• Context (Y): Provide background information! Offer the context or situation in which the action took place. This helps to paint a clear picture of the circumstances, allowing the reader to understand the scope and significance of your actions.
• Action (Z): Describe the action taken! Conclude each bullet point with a detailed description of the actions you took to achieve the result. Providing concrete examples of your work demonstrates your capabilities and potential contributions to the next role.

Why is the XYZ Format Important?

In a world where the average time a recruiter spends reading your resume is around 6-7 seconds, you want to make sure you can show you are a good fit for the role in a short amount of time.

Whether you are a coming out of high school, a recent grad, or a seasoned professional, a reliable format like the X-Y-Z helps get your point across effectively when someone is reading your resume.

What makes the XYZ Format Unique?

This format is special because it showcases how you made a difference in each of your experiences. It keeps the flow of information consistent and clear, making it easy for recruiters and hiring managers to see the unique talents you bring to the table.

How to Apply the XYZ Format

Using the XYZ format comes down to understanding how it works.

Here are some great examples of this formula in action:

You might be saying to yourself,

"These are all measurable hard skills. What about if I want to demonstrate my soft skills?"

or

"I didn't have any measurable achievements in my last role (volunteering, clubs, classes)"

You can definitely find a way to include some numbers in a soft skill. An easy way I like to do this is by talking about the size of the teams I've worked in.

Here's how I would structure a soft skills section bullet:

Benefits of Using the XYZ Format

Using the XYZ resume format offers several benefits:

• A much more scannable resume leads to happier, informed readers.
• Clearly displaying your achievements makes it easy to measure your impact.
• Improved chances of passing through the applicant tracking system (ATS).
• Professional and polished appearance.

Crafting a Strong XYZ Resume

Choosing the Right Template for Your Resume

Resume templates can really help you get started off on the right foot or they can turn an old resume new.

Make sure your template has organized sections, smaller margins, and a clean, readable font.

Here's my favorite resume template.

Tailoring Your Resume to the Job You Are Applying For

Once you've applied the XYZ format to all your resume bullets, it's time to tailor what you said to match the job description of the role you're applying for.

This comes down to including specific keywords from the job description inside your resume.

Cover Letters for Another Day

While on the topic of tailoring your resume to a job, it's super important as well to tailor your cover letter to the job.

Utilizing Action Verbs to Make Your Resume Stand Out

As you are building out your resume sections, make sure you start your bullet points off with a strong action word and do not use the same one twice. Regardless of your job title (Product Manager, Software Engineer, etc.), your resume will benefit from including action words.

Some examples of great action words are:

• "Transformed"
• "Directed"
• "Led"
• "Analyzed"
• "Built"

You might notice all of these words listed above are in the past tense. If you are currently still in a role make sure you are using present tense verbs.

• "Transform"
• "Direct"
• "Lead"
• "Analyze"
• "Build"

Including Relevant Skills, Certifications, Awards, and Professional Memberships

When building your work experience section, list those accomplishments! This is what the XYZ format is meant for. Display what you have learned, how you have succeeded, and what you have been a part of.

Examples outside of additional work experience include:

• Professional Certifications (AWS, Microsoft, Snowflake, etc.)
• Community Involvement (volunteering)
• Social Media
• Academic Projects
• Leadership Roles
• Programming Languages

Additional Tips for Success

Proofreading and Editing Your Resume for Errors

I can not say this enough.

Throughout college, I had many friends come to me to help edit their resumes and they would be littered with typos!

Always make sure to triple-check for any typos or misspellings.

Seeking Feedback from Trusted Colleagues or Mentors

Reach out to friends, teachers, coworkers, etc. to give your resume a look over.

Key Takeaways

Recap of the Benefits of Using the XYZ Resume Format

Using the XYZ format when highlighting your achievements is crucial for getting that coveted interview. By utilizing this formula correctly, you become one step closer to becoming a resume master.

What to Remember:

• Use the XYZ formula to create resume bullets:
  • "Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]."
• Use a solid, approved resume template.
• Get creative with your past achievements (show off!).
• Tailor your resume bullets to the specific job requirement.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to a resume that recruiters and hiring managers alike will love! (while maybe landing a few more dream job interviews in the process😊)

Additional Recruiting Content:

Laszlo Bock's XYZ article (Former SVP of People Operations @ Google)

Help Your Resume Get Seen By Recruiters | Recruiter Tips

Free Google Docs Resume Templates / Resume Sample (Add to your Google Drive)

"Securing the Google Interview" Google Docs Template / Resume Summary