Want to land your dream job?
You’ll need a rock-solid resume.
Done right, your resume will help you stand out among other candidates AND land you job interviews left and right!
In this article, we compiled 11+ of the best books about resumes to help you go from beginner to expert!
Whether you’re a recent graduate working on your first resume or a seasoned professional looking to brush up on your resume writing skills…
These resume books will definitely help!
Let's dive in!
13 Must-Read Resume Books in 2023
#1. Job Search Masterclass
Novoresume’s “Job Search Masterclass” is the only resume book you’ll ever need.
The book starts off by teaching you all you need to know to create a compelling resume, including:
- Picking the right resume format and layout
- Creating an attention-grabbing resume summary
- Showcasing your work experience in the best way possible
- Optimizing your resume for applicant tracking systems
But that’s not all.
This resume book also teaches you how to match your resume with a compelling cover letter, prepare for a job interview, apply for jobs, and more!
There’s even a dedicated section for finding and landing remote jobs, as well as a section about less-known job-search hacks (some that the team at Novoresume came up with)!
Grab the eBook now and gain a competitive advantage over other job seekers.
#2. Resumes for Dummies
"Resumes for Dummies" by Laura DeCarlo is a book that provides answers to common resume-writing questions. Whether it’s your first time creating a resume or just want to brush up on your resume-building skills, this book can help.
The author decodes all the ways resume writing has evolved and offers insider tips on the best practices that will make your skills shine and your resume stand out.
The book covers topics such as understanding applicant tracking systems, adjusting your resume to current job trends, and leveraging tips and tricks to make your resume layout shine.
By following the advice in this book, job seekers can write effective resumes that will help them stand out from the competition.
#3. The Damn Good Resume Guide
"The Damn Good Resume Guide, Fifth Edition: A Crash Course in Resume Writing" by Yana Parker and Beth Brown has been a comprehensive resource for job seekers looking to write or refine their resumes for nearly three decades.
Written by Yana Parker and Beth Brown, the book is filled with savvy advice and contemporary sample resumes that offer valuable tips on creating a functional, hybrid, or chronological resume and advice on dealing with gaps in work history or other such scenarios. The book also provides guidance on submitting resumes electronically, setting up informational interviews, and polishing and proofing your resume to stand out in the job market.
#4. Modernize Your Resume
"Modernize Your Resume" by Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark is a guide that teaches job seekers how to create a winning resume that meets the complexities of today's employment market.
The third edition includes new resume samples and writing guidelines, special chapters for challenging circumstances, such as career changes, military transitions, and updated tips on creating and submitting your resume online.
The book also covers topics such as tailoring the contents of your resume, integrating keywords from the job description into your application, choosing the right format, and creating a distinctive design that makes your resume stand out.
#5. The 7 Second CV
"The 7 Second CV" by James Reed, the chairman of Britain’s largest recruitment company, offers practical advice on how to write an effective CV that will impress potential employers and land your dream job.
With employers taking just seven seconds to save or reject a CV, Reed provides specific tips on how to make your CV stand out right away and what employers want to see. This advice is based on one-on-one interviews, surveys, and workshops conducted across Reed's network of recruitment consultants.
The book is accessible, practical, and packed with layout examples, tips, and pull-out quotes to help job seekers understand what employers are looking for and land their next job.
Wondering whether you should submit a CV or a resume on your next job application? Find out the main differences between a CV and a resume in this article to make an informed decision.
#6. The 2-Hour Job Search
“The 2-Hour Job Search” by Steve Dalton provides a practical approach to help job seekers secure first interviews by working smarter and faster.
Steve Dalton, a senior career consultant and professor at Duke University, guides readers through creating a job search system that relies on software like Excel, Google, LinkedIn, and alumni databases to create a list of target employers.
On top of that, it teaches readers the most effective ways to contact them and secure an interview - all within two hours.
#7. The Google Resume
“The Google Resume: How to Prepare for a Career and Land a Job at Apple, Microsoft, Google, or any Top Tech Company” is a comprehensive resume book that’ll teach you how to land a job at top tech companies such as Google, Apple, and Microsoft.
Author Gayle Laakmann McDowell draws on her own experiences working at Google and interviewing candidates to provide insider knowledge on what these companies look for in candidates.
The book covers topics such as:
- What to study in university if you want to land a job at your favorite tech company?
- What extracurricular activities do employers want to see from entry-level candidates?
- How to design and tailor your resume to the job listing.
- How to ace the job interview in any tech company you apply to.
And more!
#8. Knock’ em Dead Resumes
Knock 'em Dead Resumes is a comprehensive book on how to create a powerful and effective resume that will catch the attention of employers and recruiters.
With over 30 years of experience, Martin Yate provides expert advice on crafting a resume that stands out in a resume database, builds a strong personal brand, passes the seven-second scan test, and speaks directly to what employers are looking for.
The 12th edition includes updated advice and dozens of sample resumes to help job seekers create a winning document that will get them the job they want.
#9. The Resume Writing Guide
The Resume Writing Guide is a comprehensive workbook that leads you through the entire process of creating a resume.
It breaks down the complex job of resume writing into small, manageable tasks, making it easy to write a resume that's tailored to your skills and professional experience.
This book contains the kind of expertise that only comes from real job search experience, with author Lisa McGrimmon having written over 1000 resumes and helped over 2000 job seekers find work.
You'll learn how to write impactful resume summaries and objectives, choose the best resume style, organize and format your resume, and more.
McGrimmon illustrates the techniques mentioned in this resume book with real resume examples and includes 16 full sample resumes to show you how to effectively use those strategies on your resume.
#10. Resume 101
“Resume 101: How to Write an Effective Resume, LinkedIn Profile, and Cover Letter” is a comprehensive book that can help job seekers leverage popular job search tools to the maximum.
The book offers step-by-step instructions on writing effective resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles, beating Applicant Tracking Systems, and navigating job sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor.
Author Steven Mostyn draws on over 20 years of experience crafting custom resumes for candidates with all sorts of experience levels, from recent graduates to CEOs.
#11. How to Write an Amazing IT Resume
“How to Write an Amazing IT Resume: Get the Interview Every Time” is a comprehensive guide designed for IT professionals who are looking for their dream job.
Whether you're a seasoned IT veteran or fresh out of school, this book offers everything you need to know to create an effective and impressive IT resume.
Written by Baron Fendler, the book is packed with practical tips and advice to help you navigate the recruitment process, including how to get past applicant tracking systems, catch the attention of the IT recruiter, and impress the hiring manager.
This resume book is perfect for anyone in the IT industry, from network architects to software engineers.
#12. How to Write the Perfect Resume
"How to Write the Perfect Resume: Stand Out, Land Interviews, and Get the Job You Want" by Dan Clay is a comprehensive book that teaches job seekers how to craft the perfect resume that will get noticed by hiring managers.
With over ten years of experience navigating the competitive job market, Clay provides step-by-step instructions to transform an average resume into an outstanding one.
The book covers various topics such as avoiding common resume mistakes, handling extended employment gaps, and creating a powerful resume that showcases one's skills and achievements.
10 Benefits of Reading Resume Books
Ever felt stuck with your job search?
Applying for positions left and right, but not getting any interview invites?
Well, that’s the exact problem resume books can help you solve!
Here is everything you can get out of reading resume books:
- Gain knowledge about industry-specific standards and requirements for resumes.
- Learn how to effectively highlight your accomplishments clearly and concisely.
- Learn about different ways you can format your resume.
- Get tips on how to tailor your resume to specific job postings and company cultures.
- Develop strategies for addressing gaps in employment, career changes, or other potential red flags on your resume.
- Discover common mistakes to avoid on your resume, such as using buzzwords or including irrelevant experiences.
- Access examples of successful resumes and learn what makes them so great.
- Improve your writing and communication skills in general, which can benefit you in other areas of your professional life.
- Gain confidence in your ability to present yourself on paper to potential employers.
- Stay up-to-date on current trends and best practices in the job search process, such as using social media for job hunting or leveraging personal branding.
Overall, reading resume books can provide a wealth of knowledge and practical advice for crafting a compelling and effective resume, which can ultimately lead to greater success in your job search.
FAQs About Resume Books
Do you still have some questions about resume books? Check out our answers to the most frequently asked questions below!
#1. What is a resume book?
A resume book is a book or an eBook that helps job-seekers create effective resumes and attention-grabbing CVs.
Generally, resume books provide tips on identifying your key strengths and experiences, structuring information effectively, tailoring your resume for specific job openings, and navigating the job application process effectively.
#2. What are some good resume books for when you’re changing careers?
Novorėsumė’s “Job Search Masterclass” is one of our top recommendations if you’re looking for a great resume book during your career change.
The book offers invaluable advice on how to leverage your past work experiences and achievements in a new industry, highlight your transferable skills, use your cover letter to elaborate on your career change, and nail every job interview you attend.
#3. What’s the purpose of resume books?
The purpose of resume books is to provide job-seekers of all industries and career levels with the right knowledge to create an attention-grabbing resume and increase their chances of landing their dream job.
Resume books achieve this by telling you everything you need to know about resumes, including what the right resume format is, how long should a resume be, which resume sections are mandatory and which are optional, and much more!
#4. Can resume books be helpful in my job search?
Resume books can be helpful in your job search, regardless of your profession, career level, or industry.
Why? Because every job that you’ll ever apply to will require that you submit a resume. It’s what recruiters evaluate when deciding which candidates to invite for a job interview.
Meaning, if you want to land your dream job, you need an impeccable resume.
Conclusion
And that’s a wrap on the best resume books in 2023!
We hope that you found just the right resource to help you perfect your resume and effectively tailor it to every job you apply for, whether you’re a student, an entry-level employee, or a seasoned professional.
For more career advice and job hunt resources, check out our career blog.
