Resume Refreshers and Tidbits to Remember
Your resume is a critical part of your job search, giving you a way to open doors to secure new opportunities. As a result, the quality of your resume matters. Fortunately, ensuring it looks its best and serves you well isn’t overly challenging. Here are some resume refreshers and tidbits to remember when updating your resume.
Take Advantage of the Hybrid Resume
Format In many cases, a hybrid resume format – also called a combination resume – is the best approach for most candidates. It combines the best features of a chronological resume while ensuring you can put additional focus on key skills and achievements that align with the job.
Generally, a hybrid resume begins with a professional summary, showcasing a bit about your experience and strongest skill areas using an achievement-based approach. That’s followed by a bullet-pointed skills section, ensuring the hiring manager immediately sees what capabilities you bring to the table.
After that, you follow up with your work history if you have relevant experience and then your education section. New graduates may benefit from putting their education first, following that with their work history. This strategy ensures you have chronological elements that hiring managers expect while giving you the ability to put your best foot forward.
Use Targeted Keywords When Discussing Accomplishments
Targeting your resume to the position is essential for demonstrating you’re a strong match for the role. However, you don’t just want to speak to the hiring manager’s needs; you also need to use the exact words and phrases found in the job listing.
Many automated resume screening technologies are programmed to find keywords in resumes that are pulled directly from the job description. Typically, those screeners don’t know if another word or phrase has the same meaning as the targeted keywords. Ensuring you use exact matches makes your resume more likely to make it through automated screeners.
Focus on Readability When Writing a Resume
When you’re writing a resume, readability is critical. Use a simple format that doesn’t include too many features. For example, use classic headers that everyone recognizes, and limit yourself to a single font – though varying the size or making headers bold is fine.
Additionally, forgo formatting choices that might lead to confusion, such as columns, boxed sections, or similar options. Additionally, balance text with whitespace. Too much text in a block is difficult to read, so keeping statements short and concise is better. Leave the margins wide enough to be comfortable when viewed, and ensure there's enough room to hold a printed resume without covering text.
Looking How to Develop The Best Application or Find a New Opportunity?
Ultimately, the tips above can help you craft the best possible resume, allowing you to increase your odds of making it past automated screeners and impress the hiring manager. If you’d like to learn more about how to craft a standout application or are looking for new job opportunities, Riverway Business Services wants to hear from you. Search our available jobs online or contact our recruiters to get started today.