Back in the Job Market? Be Sure to Read These Resume Building Tips First

• Author: Chris Remington
• Posted: 2023-12-07

It is no surprise that the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis and the resulting economic challenges have combined to put many people back out in the job market. If you are looking for a job for the first time in a while, it is a good idea to give your resume a refresh. Before you sit down at your computer to upgrade this important document, it is important to keep these resume building tips in mind.

Research Resume Examples for Your Industry

Before crafting your personal resume, it is recommended to spend some time browsing resumes specific to your industry. This will not only provide some level of inspiration, but it will also demonstrate best practices. While these examples should never be copied, you can certainly use them as a guide for what professionals in your industry expect in a resume.

Edit the Resume to Fit Each Specific Job Application

Professional recruiters will tell you to review your resume and edit it to fit each specific job. This should not take more than a few minutes in most cases. This is particularly important if the job that you are going after has unique requirements or demands a specific skill set. Before you send off that resume, be sure to review the official job description and look for specific keywords. You can then incorporate these keywords into your resume to demonstrate that you an ideal fit for the position.

Avoid Cutesy Fonts

While you may be tempted to use a cutesy or unique font to make your resume stand out from the crowd, it is a better idea to stick to the tried and true fonts. Using a professional font will convey that you are taking the job seriously. Good font choices for a resume include Arial or Times New Roman. The ideal font size is between 10 and 12 points. Clear and readable fonts will ensure that the reviewer does not strain to have to read the resume.

Use Active Language

Using active language gives you a better chance to catch the attention of those people who are reviewing your resume. Using active verbs will demonstrate your confidence. Good words to include on your resume are increased, achieved, completed, and achieved. You can run your resume through a passive language checker to ensure that you did not go overboard on this tense.

Place Most Relevant Information First

You should not assume that the individuals reviewing your resume are going to have the time or motivation to read through the entire resume. For this reason, it is vital that you include the most relevant information first. In addition to highlighting the most current information, be sure to focus on the work experience, educational background, and achievements that directly relate to the job at hand. By prioritizing the most important and recent information, you will put yourself in a better position to get a further review by the hiring staff.

Edit, Edit, Edit

The single most important thing that you can do before sending your resume off is to edit it thoroughly. And after you edited it once, edit it again. In addition to using a proofreading program online, you should ask a few trusted friends or colleagues to give it a pass. You need to be looking for grammatical, spelling, and content errors.

Include a Career Snapshot

One of the latest trends in today's modern resume is the career snapshot section. Rather than using the classic objective statement at the top of your resume, consider the use of this brief snapshot overview. Think of this snapshot as a branding statement that calls attention to your value as a potential employee, as well as your unique qualifications and skills.

Follow the Instructions

Do not neglect the fact that some organizations have specific application requirements. You do not want to shoot yourself in the foot at the onset because you simply did not follow the instructions for applying for the job. Attention to detail is always key when you are looking to get noticed by the right people.

Your resume is the first impression that you will give a potential employer. Make this opportunity count by doing all that you can to make it showcase all of your best attributes.