Does your resume follow the latest key trends? Thanks to modern technology, resume writing changes very rapidly. What might work in 2015 may completely change by 2016 when new computer software becomes more popular with employers. When you decide to retool your resume, take these factors for 2016 into account while looking toward 2017.
1. Social Media Posts
Consider placing short tweet-like posts within your resume. Resume writing no longer entails long, blocky paragraphs that show your skills, accomplishments and qualifications. Instead, break down major components into very short sentences with white space in between. This gives human eyes a better chance of seeing your major qualifications.
2. Integration
Integrate your resume with your online presence. That means putting URLs in your resume that point to your social media accounts, LinkedIn, your online portfolio and even a YouTube channel. Any additional information you want to convey should be somewhere in these links. Also, you should add keywords from your resume into these social media channels. Resume writing becomes an exercise in instant updates thanks to your tweets, LinkedIn posts and changes to your online portfolio. Use graphical interfaces with these online tools to transform your skill set and resume into a visual powerhouse.
3. Add-Ons
Instead of creating a three-page resume for higher-level positions, consider having small add-ons that highlight certain accomplishments. This saves verbiage and space on the page during the resume writing process.
4. Flexible Resumes
Resume writing in a technological age means trying to please applicant tracking systems while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing document that's easy for the human eye to scan. Find the right balance between keywords and eye-pleasing formatting.
5. Personal Branding
Rather than a resume, consider writing a personal brand document. At the top of the page, write a "Brand Summary" rather than a "Career Summary." Other headings might include "Brand Biography," "Brand Accomplishments" or "Brand Attributes." Use these techniques to introduce your brand or style of work to a prospective employer.
6. Other Key Trends
One trend is that no hard-and-fast trends exist. Some companies want bare-bones resumes geared towards applicant tracking systems, while other employers want eye-catching documents. Take into account the job for which you're applying. Visual arts or marketing resumes probably need to contain more visual elements versus other industries.
Some companies require cover letters, while others don't. A good cover letter can simply be the email that introduces your resume or a part of the form that comes with the online application.
One thing is certain: resumes aren't going away any time soon. Even though you may network your way to an interview, you still need a resume that lets a hiring manager see your documentation backs up the skills, accomplishments and work history you claim.
Resume writing isn't a lost art, but it has changed due to the advent of computer technology and software. Keep up with a few basic trends to ensure you get some call backs after submitting your well-formatted, keyword-rich, eye-catching and internet-enhanced resume.
Photo courtesy of phasinphoto at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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