Foolproof Your Resume
The Importance of Being Prepared
A resumé is usually the first thing that comes to mind when considering a new job opportunity (followed closely by the interview process, but that’s a post for another day). In the 21st century, it’s almost certain that the career application process will be done online, so an accurate digital representation is crucial. That one or two page PDF is the first impression a potential employer will have, and it can feel overwhelming to know how to ‘get it right.’
SO, WHAT DO THEY REALLY WANT? HOW DOES ONE HIGHLIGHT ALL OF THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION WITHOUT OVERDOING IT?
With the right toolbox of tips, crafting a quality resumé doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, it can be a meaningful opportunity to boost confidence and be reminded of career achievements. Before pressing ‘submit’ on a job opportunity, take a quick inventory of the pieces of advice below to ensure optimum resumé efficiency:
Keep it clean. Consider adequate white space for visual breaks, summarize details when appropriate, and choose a font and layout that aren’t distracting. Minimalism is key and visual coherency is vital.
Make contact information easy to find. Name, phone number, and a professional email address should be somewhere near the top, in an obviously identifiable place.
Keep work history relevant and recent. Anything further than 15 years back and irrelevant to the desired position can be left off. The same goes for skills; the potential employer only cares about the things being brought to the table that will benefit them. Remember: quality over quantity wins every time.
Include side projects. Add involvement in anything that would give a leg up for the desired role (i.e. if the position is for an event coordinator, experience volunteering for a charity gala is a relevant addition).
Be unique, not kitschy. It’s ok (and encouraged!) to showcase a bit of personality on a resumé, but leave the cheeky stuff off, unless it very clearly relates to the company (i.e. the website is bold and casual, or the job posting specifically asks for it).
Consider adjective usage. Instead of relying on tired descriptors, focus on using experience to explain distinctiveness (i.e. turn ‘motivated’ into ‘spearheaded the implementation of a new strategy to improve effective customer service after reviewing an analysis highlighting an area of weakness’).
Obsessively proofread. There is nothing that will turn a hiring manager off more than a poorly written resumé. Check for grammar and spelling errors, recheck, then send it to two or three friends to check again. ‘Too meticulous’ isn’t possible here.
Be aware of ATS barriers. If applying through an online tracking system, be mindful of what the computer will reject. Graphics, pictures, lots of colors, boxes and lines, hyperlinks, and multiple font sizes are among the no-nos for ATS. Bottom line: keep it neat, keep it simple.
Still stuck? It may be helpful to utilize a start-from-scratch online tool like this one that provides fresh templates, content samples, and application assistance.
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