Four ways professionals can improve resumes
Changing jobs can be a difficult decision to make, especially later in one’s career. In many ways, landing a new job is more challenging than ever, thanks to the technology-driven society in which people live. Information is shared faster than ever, and applying for jobs isn’t the same as it might have been as recently as a decade ago.
One thing that has evolved is the resume. Although creating a powerful resume has always been a challenge, writing — or modifying — one for today’s digital world requires some insider tips.
Adapting a resume as one ages and has gained experience can be advantageous. A well-crafted resume is one way for professionals to demonstrate how their skill set is current and adaptable to today’s business climate. The following tips can help improve a resume when the time comes to move on to a new job.
1. Focus on your accomplishments.
Rather than focusing on job responsibilities at each job you held, gear the resume around what you achieved in each position. This will help identify how you performed in the position instead of just offering a general retelling of what you did. It can be challenging to achieve this for jobs that don’t naturally lend themselves to numerically quantitative results (i.e., increased department sales by 15 percent), but it’s still possible to use a resume to illustrate your achievements.
Rather than state that you were responsible for providing customer service, explain that you built your reputation on conveying difficult technical terms to the layperson, serving as the go-to employee for translating job jargon for outside correspondence.
2. Aim for the future.
Rather than emphasize what you did, highlight what you plan to do. This means giving greater weight to the expertise that will translate into your new position. Chances are you can find skills that you honed in one or more jobs that translate into credentials that can be used on another. All of the skills mentioned should be relevant to your career objective an not just added to pad the resume.
3. Choose the right keywords.
It’s important to optimize a resume for digital scanning, which has become a major component of the employment sector. This includes using the correct keywords and phrasing so your resume will get flagged. Take your cue from the job advertisements, and mimic the verbiage used. Replace the lingo accordingly, tailoring it to each job you apply for. Also, consult the “about us” area of a prospective employer’s website.
4. Set yourself apart.
Engage in activities that can improve your marketability. Be sure to list training, coursework, degrees or volunteer efforts that pertain directly to the skills needed for the job to which you’re applying. These additions can tip the scales in your favor over another applicant.
Resumes continue to evolve, and it is crucial for applicants — especially established workers — to familiarize themselves with the changes and market themselves accordingly.