What Are The Top Resume Trends of 2018?

Posted by in Career Advice •


The traditional resume format has withstood the test of time, but the most successful resume for today's job seeker is anything but dry and boring. Here are a few major resume trends that recruiters have been loving in 2018. From creating a more attractive look to injecting more valuable information into your resume, these trends might just boost your chances of scoring an interview.

Nixing the Objective Statement

This 2018 resume trend stems from the fact that hiring managers are busier than ever. Instead of including a resume objective, which should be obvious already, use that valuable space to catch readers from the get-go. For example, you could create a short, snappy summary explaining who you are as a professional and what sets you apart from the crowd.

Stylish Resume Templates

Boring black-and-white resume templates with Times New Roman text are slowly becoming outdated. While you don't want your resume to stand out too much, using a stylish template with a pop of color can make your document just a bit more attractive to recruiters scanning hundreds of applications. You can also choose a professional font such as Calibri or Arial, which have a more modern look and are easy to read on a computer screen.

Concrete Numbers

If you really want to show recruiters what you're capable of, implement this resume trend that trades vague statements for numbers and percentages. For instance, you might state that your marketing project increased foot traffic by 25 percent or that your role in revamping the company site increased the visitor number from 50,000 to 100,000 a month.

Your LinkedIn Profile

Creating and maintaining a LinkedIn profile not only serves as an online resume where recruiters can learn more about your experience, but it also shows that you're up-to-date on modern technology. This ongoing resume trend is bigger than ever in 2018, so consider placing the link to your profile on your actual document to take full advantage of this powerful tool.

Personal Branding

Your personal branding is how you sell yourself to a company, which means highlighting what value you can provide a potential employer. You can accomplish this by explaining how you've used your skills to make a difference for previous employers or your school. If your unique abilities have benefited another company in a solid way, you should absolutely mention it.

Telling a Story

Your resume should still be professional, but the current resume trends allow for a more human touch to your words. For example, you can use the space under a job title you've held to tell a story snippet of what you learned or accomplished in that role. This helps a hiring manager get to know you as a person, although you should still include a list of your hard and soft skills.

While the perfect 2018 resume still holds true to the fundamentals of conveying your skills and experience, these trends take your document to the next level. What resume trends do you think are likely to take over in 2019? Share your thoughts in the comments.


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  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Barbara DiLucchio thanks for your comment. Keywords could be scattered throughout the resume. Remember, when you are applying for a position, you want your resume to match up with the job posting. If the job posting is asking for 10 years of experience in selling Ford cars and trucks, your resume should indicate that you have XX years experience selling Ford cars and trucks. I know that's kind of a lame example but you get the idea. In this case they are looking for a specified number of years experience, so you should display that. They are specific to Fords and are looking for you to have that. They maybe require a bachelor's degree in Sales Management and so on. One way to find out what the specific keywords are that they are looking for is to lay out a few of the same type of job postings - Sales Manager, Ford Cars and Trucks. Then lay them side by side and see what words may be common across the board and you will start seeing the keywords. Those keywords should be peppered throughout your resume. Hope that helps. All the best on your job search.

  • Barbara DiLucchio
    Barbara DiLucchio •

    where in your resume should the key words be? Should they be in one section like Tags: Data Analyst, Data Warehousing, etc or scattered though out the resume?

  • Norris H.
    Norris H. •

    Absolute;y ageee with the information

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    Thanks for your comments. @David M, you are correct. In most companies your resume goes through applicant tracking software (ATS) first. If it passes through that, then it might be read by an HR Generalist or just given to the hiring manager. The key is to get through the ATS. To do that, you need to make sure that you add appropriate keywords to your resume. You will find those in the job posting. Now if you are applying to a small company, they probably don't have this software and your resume will actually be read by a human. @Angelica D thanks for your comment, also. Going to a job fair is completely different than actually applying to a company for a certain position. You have to realize that many people don't even know what is in their resume. They throw all of their information to a resume writer and let that person decide. Then they simply start sending out resumes - not even looking to see what it says. So, the fact that you are asked what is on your resume is really important as they need to determine whether or not to pursue you for a position. Yes, many liars for sure and that is why you will see that happen over and over again at any career fair you attend. Not everyone walks the walk and talks the talk. All the best.

  • Angelica D.
    Angelica D. •

    I agree with David M. see above. Questions are asked during face to face time in nursing job fairs or events that are already in the resume. Can't help but smile politely to get to the questions other than what is obvious in writing. I keep mine 2 pages overall because I already know it is skimmed and not really read. Also, I earned every bit of my experience. It is great if HR does not assume my experience is not true because they have had liars in the past interviews. I walk the walk and talk the talk from experience earned. Many " buddies in nursing" do not want to do the work and defer it to the one who works the hardest and does not gossip/FB/Snapchat/kissup during employer time. Ethics, Integrity,HIPAA, etc. applies. Patient care is no joke. Also, people specifically apply for certain positions. I appreciate an HR generalist who can focus on my job application and not try to send me to a job I did not apply for or want because it is a least liked unit/clinic/etc. Nurses know.

  • David M.
    David M. •

    I am not convinced that a human actually reads resumes any more. Don't most go through two, or sometimes three, software keyword scanners before getting to an actual person? It's a guessing game.

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