New Year - New Resume
The start of a new year is the perfect time to review your resume, brush off the cobwebs, and give it a refresh. So whether finding a new job is at the top of your new year’s resolution list or you are casually looking for the right opportunity, follow these five steps to make sure your resume is refreshed and ready.
1) Review with the End in Mind
If it has been a while since you have reviewed your resume, read it through, making notes about what is outdated and what new information you can add. Keep in mind the type of job you are looking for to ensure your skills and qualifications match your career summary or objectives. Lastly, ensure your spacing, date formats, and fonts are consistent throughout.
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PRO TIP: Use an online thesaurus to keep your word choice fresh and varied throughout your resume. |
2) Make your qualifications stand out
Recruiters review hundreds, if not thousands, of resumes each year. Make it easy for a Recruiter to see that your skills and qualifications match the job requirements by placing them “front and center,” such as in the summary or objective. Also, make sure your resume relates to the job description by including keywords or phrases from the job posting.
3) Review your Work History
The general recommendation is to include work history from the last 10-15 years. If you have limited or no professional work experience, highlight the jobs you have worked and relate that experience to the job you are applying for.
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PRO TIP: Check out this article from Indeed to learn how to highlight limited work experience on a resume. |
4) Be Professional
No matter what type or level of role you are applying to, if a resume is required, make sure you take the time to do it right.
- Use a professional, easy-to-read font.
- Make it clear and concise, so a Recruiter can quickly scan it for essential information. Bullet points can be helpful to achieve this.
- Only include relevant information.
- Review your contact email address - avoid using an email address that includes slang or funny sayings. If needed, create a new email address specifically for job search communication.
- Avoid attaching something that is NOT a resume if your resume isn’t readily available. We know it can be tempting to attach a random document – yes, we have seen all sorts of documents attached, from car repair reports to letters and more – but don’t take any shortcuts. Sending any other type of document will demonstrate unprofessionalism and move you to the bottom of the pile.
5) Proofread, Proofread, Proofread
Before hitting send, take time to proofread, spellcheck and review grammar on your resume. Having a friend or family member act as a “second pair of eyes” is highly recommended. Your resume is often the first impression a recruiter has of you – be sure that impression is a positive one.
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PRO TIP: To maintain the integrity of your resume and ensure the formatting is readable, save it as a PDF. |