Hope you’re enjoying the summer! Do you know someone who needs to update their resume and been putting it off? Writing a resume is not fun. Well, it is for me, but that’s what I do.
Despite evolving job search tactics, the traditional resume remains one of the most important tools in the job search toolbox.
For 2018, the most high value and ROI tip/trend of the year is customization and keywords.
Content customization is the #1 most important tip/trend that I can convey. Yes, it’s a pain but it’s worth the effort – match your keywords to the job description and apply their position specs to your experience. Do remember to keep track of which resume you sent to which company in a spreadsheet if you’re applying to several jobs.
And then…
Design for the ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). If you’re applying for positions through a company website, it will likely have an ATS to do first cut screening on resumes. ATS’s read and score a resume based on keyword matching (first among other elements). But don’t stuff your resume with every keyword they have – if you’re too perfectly matched the ATS will bounce you out. (More detail here: https://technicalresumewriter.com/blog)
As a refresher, the basics:
- Keep the format simple and clean and use a single font, preferably Arial or Tahoma. Segoe is ok but Times New Roman is the worn-out T-shirt of fonts.
- Go lightly with the bolds, italics and all caps. Maintain plenty of whitespace.
- Ditch the street address and add your LinkedIn URL instead. Your LinkedIn profile has to support your resume and vice versa so make sure it’s as dynamic as it can be too. If you have a GitHub profile, add that too.
- Standard reverse chron – newest to oldest – is still most favored.
- I know you know the objective is dead. But a short Summary at the top is very much alive and well. It’s your marketing pitch.
And finally, get a Pro.
It’s hard to be objective about yourself, to know what’s a ‘brag’ and what’s a legitimate highlight. You need to inject your personality into the resume as well and project your voice. You have to know what the trigger keywords are for your position.
Here are a couple of ideas on that: www.salary.com/articles/5-reasons-to-hire-resume-writer/ and www.topresume.com/career-advice/signs-need-resume-writer-pro
If you’d like to chat about these ideas, or I can help in any way, shoot me a note!
Cheers,
Jan OBrien
Jan@technicalresumewriter.com
