Want to update your resume this season? Making a few resume changes can make all the difference between landing a better opportunity and staying in the same old job. If you want to get solid results from your resume, consider these six quick and easy tips.
1. Remember to double-check.
Without a doubt, it never hurts to double-check your resume for simple errors. Studies show that many job seekers have at least one error on their resumes. Ask a trusted individual to look over your resume for mistakes, and ask for honest suggestions to improve it. If you don't have time to send it to a friend, then try printing it out and reading it aloud. It'll help you catch errors because it changes the context in which you're used to interacting with your resume—on a computer screen.
2. Adjusting formatting can make a big difference.
If your resume looks similar to giant walls of text, it is likely to be less effective. Most human resources professionals have a limited amount of time to look over the credentials of each candidate, so resumes formatted with a good balance of white space are more likely to be read. A one-page resume can be highly effective, so summarize your achievements and skills in short sentences to keep reviewers interested. Think of your resume like a checklist of reasons why the recruiter should choose you.
3. Use the keyword advantage.
Many employers use resume-sorting software to find new candidates to fill open positions. Companies have a list of keywords they place in the system, and the software filters out resumes that do not contain words and phrases related to the job. If you want to ensure that your resume is not cast aside before it is even reviewed, aim to use keywords related to the position you are seeking. Although the software helps employers to narrow down prospective employees quickly, the inclusion of this information gives you an edge over other job seekers. One way to see what the employer might be looking for is to copy and paste the job description into a word-cloud tool like Wordle. You'll see the words that are most often used in the job description. Then, copy and paste your resume into the same tool.
4. Integrate statistics.
Many job candidates ramble on about their duties and accomplishments without much clarity. Instead of simply listing all your responsibilities and achievements, validate your claims by using numbers. Employers may not be able to understand what you mean by "improved sales," but if they read that you "improved sales by 25 percent in the first quarter," they'll have a much better chance of imagining your impact.
5. Customize your resume for the open position.
It is good to customize your resume to suit the job you are seeking. Remember to place the most relevant job experience and special skills pertaining to the position you are seeking first. You may have to create multiple resumes to inquire about different positions, but this is necessary to appear as the best-suited employee for a particular job. This doesn't mean you have to change your resume entirely. It could be as easy as changing up the order of the bullet points under each of your past positions.
6. Update your contact information.
There is nothing worse than finding out an employer cannot reach you because your contact information is incorrect. Consider creating a professional email address to keep specifically for job searches, and list that address on your resume. Be sure to update your contact information if you've recently changed your home or cell phone number. If you have a professional LinkedIn or Twitter account, add that information as well. As a note, some recruiters advise against adding your mailing address, especially if you plan on moving in the foreseeable future. In that case, you may want to keep it simple by only listing your city and state.
Don’t limit your chances for employment by using the same stale resume this year. Make sure it is well-formatted, optimized for the position, and updated accurately. Take time to add any new experience or accomplishments you have earned since the last time you revisited your resume. And don't be afraid to start from scratch if you feel that your resume is stale. You could be sacrificing your resume's effectiveness because of choices you made months or years ago in terms of writing and formatting. Remember, the goal is improve your resume and maximize your chances of grabbing the perfect position.
(Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net)
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