I am applying for a job for the first time in 18 years and tweaking my resume. I have always believed in the 'rule' of one page and being concise and letting the numbers speak for themselves. However, I am applying for what I hope is my retirement job and also my first jet job, and don't want a resume screener or recruiter to think mine looks like a mid-schooler wrote it. I mean, it looks fine, all the different headings and bullets line up nice, but it's pretty plain. Does adding some color or using fancy formats actually help? Any recruiters out there who can say what they're looking for, what they like or can't stand? I helped with some resume screening once, and what bored me to death was fluffed-up buzzwords and vague soft skills. If they had something interesting to share then that would have gotten my attention, but saying things like 'I have strong leadership skills' to me is just bla bla.

A one page resume is usually best, even if condensed.
(i almsot lost out on a job because my resume was 2 pages and the Chief Pilot only saw the recent Island flying in the Carribbean and put it aside as I was only a "Good Weather Flyer". The other page listed my bush Alaska flying doing medevacs at night in blizzards)
The CP's secretary was nice enough to listen to my phone calls and a month or two later and I eventually got hired: Evergreen DC-8.

A pilot recruitment friend told me once if the resume is over a page long they won't bother looking at it. Keep it simple and readable.

Invest in any one of the numerous application/resumé prep services. They will provide you with the most current advice and likely know of any specifics your destination company is looking for.

That might be a good idea. Thanks.

Be precise, concise and to the point. No more than one page. Save the palabras about your exploits for the interview. A professional resume consultant will be well worth the $$$$. Good luck.

Fancy? No.

One page? Yes.

Delta years ago wanted jobs from H.S. and afterwards. The other airlines wanted post college jobs. ALL jobs, even the one's for 3-6 months while waiting to go to UPT. O-6 looking at me...yes, it shows who you are. Who sets up a yard service business for 3-6 months while waiting for your UPT class? You did. It's who you are. Tell the story.

They're hiring pilots and they've seen a bunch of resumes. They're VERY similar.

Name
Address
contact info

Objective - No, don't. That know that you're applying to be a pilot.

Flight time - TT, TPIC, PIC, Jet, Turbine, MEL, military time are the biggest one's. X-c, solo, etc for good for low time pilots before regionals/Part 135 jet experience.

Qualifications - tall, dark, handsome... no. Licenses, ratings, type ratings, medical, FCC, etc. But the 'biggest' 4-6 down and/or any that are specific to the job requirement.

Work history/experience - Job, Captain/FO, CFI, CFII, etc. It DOESN'T need all the goobly-gook. They know what a CFI does... If you did something unusual mention that. If the acronyms are known you can stick to them. If you did NVG night Spec Ops HALO ops you might need to write out the acronyms. I saw one in several hundred that I hadn't seen - who knew that C-5's didd low level (?) NVG (?) LAPES ops? I didn't. The acronym was a new one - "spell that out." He said it was a very small sub group that were qualified??? <Trying to remember a resume from a decade ago... The OER long winded descriptions - budget of xyz, some many engineering projects completed on time, under budget, oversaw xyz personnel...etc, etc? No.

Education - regular education, any education not obvious from your work history - ie if you're a regional FO flying the XYZ it's obvious you went to XYZ school. No, you don't have to list the normal/annual stuff - CRM, safety, etc. UNLESS you got certified to be an instructor. That should be in your work history.

And additional non work skills, certifications, etc that might able. Teaching basics to new BJJ students as a white/blue belt? Maybe. Teaching (volunteer) self defense 2 days a week as a black belt karate instructor? Yes. < both true stories.

ALL jobs/education etc should have MONTH and year. It's completely different to have 2015-2016 when one guy's actually 12/2015 - 1/2016 and the other guy is 1/2015 - 12/2016.

Thanks, very helpful! Pretty much what I am going with.

Thanks all, some very good tips. Much appreciated

Unless you have a very short work history, i wouldn't list all jobs. Start with the most recent, and list career highlights.

A job application is the place to list as many years of flying as the employer wants to see, but a resume is not. Relevant flying is more important than trying to put everything on one page.

I disagree about an objective line. Every resume should be personalized to the employer. Your cover letter should be addressed to a specific person, and your resume should include the name of the employer to whom you're applying, and the aircraft and position, if appropriate.

Don't do fancy. Fancy is another way of saying "I don't know how this works."