Are resumes changing? Have job searches changed in the past few years? In many cases, the answer is yes. Three years ago we shared 10 tips for resumes, and, just like our resumes, it’s time we updated it.
While those tips are still valuable, here’s what we’ve noticed has changed in the job search.
Who is looking at your resume has changed. Larger companies may be using artificial intelligence (AI) to review applications. That means they are scanning for key words from the job application. Does your resume include those key words?
Small businesses are probably not using AI, yet they are still scanning for the key words and key skills. That’s why we encourage you to tailor your resume to the job posting.
Do not rely on artificial intelligence when writing your resume or your cover letter. These documents need to show you at your best, and AI doesn’t really know you, does it?
You are the master
Have a master resume where you list all your skills, experience, accomplishments, and certifications. Add new skills, training and experience to the master list as you get them to keep the master list always up to date.
Then cut and paste from this master list to tailor the resume you use for each job application.
For example, maybe you have very diverse work experiences in three different industries. Highlight the experiences that are relevant to the job you are applying for and don’t necessarily include the experiences that are not related. If you have transferable skills from a different industry, though, include those.
Remember that employers typically look at resumes for 10-15 seconds before making a decision to learn more about or pass on a candidate. Make sure your best qualities are caught in that 10-15 second glance.
Format
Here’s where we find different perspectives even among our staff. That’s because there is no one way to write your resume, and we each have our preferences.
The more traditional, easier formatting of headings and bullets has its advantages.
- Less formatting is easier for people with less computer experience.
- It’s easier to cut and paste and revise sections for different job applications.
- And have you applied online for a job and you need to copy your resume into a text box that doesn’t allow any fancy formatting? These are becoming more common, so the less you have to adjust your resume to copy and paste into an online application saves you time and energy.
Then there’s the block format, which looks really nice and has its advantages as well.
- You have blocks down one side where you can highlight certifications or education or soft skills or particular experience. This makes it eye-catching and easy to read for the person reviewing your resume.
- This also means the main box where you list your work experience or training is smaller, which is better for people with less experience because there isn’t a big blank space to fill.
Drawbacks to the block style include:
- They don’t copy and paste easily into online application forms.
- As you change info in the blocks, it may shift the formatting of the whole document.
White space is still crucial no matter which layout you choose. Do not make the information too dense.
Adjust as needed
There are many other formats. Find the one that works for you. Search resumes for the type of job you are applying for to see examples that might help you design your resume.
- For example, if you’re applying for an admin assistant job, search admin assistant resumes to see what’s out there. See if anything resonates with you.
- We find things we don’t like just as often as we find things we do, and that can also help you write your resume.
You want people to be able to read your resume quickly and find the key information they are looking for quickly. You also do not want to spend hours adjusting your resume each time you apply for a job, so pick a format that works easily for you.
Our goal in resume writing is to help you help yourself. We want you to be able to build a resume and update it on your own quickly and easily. There is no perfect resume, so have some fun with it. Tell your story in it. Your story keeps evolving, and so should your resume.
