Updating your resume can be overwhelming, especially if it has been a few years since you have looked at it. The good news is, once you get it cleaned up and updated, it makes the process of tailoring it to a specific job a lot easier.
So where do you start? Start with the basics. You want to make sure your document is in the correct format. A concise resume should include your best, most relevant experience, everything old and outdated must go.
Update Formatting
Your resume is the first thing an employer sees, it is their first impression of you. Therefore, it should be organized correctly, in a clean and concise format.
There are plenty of templates out there, but try and differ yours from the “basic” formatting so that it stands out. Make sure your margins are 1” on all sides and use a standard font. Each section should be organized so that the reader can quickly skim it.
Your sections should be organized as:
- Header
- Objective (this will change for each job you are applying to)
- Education
- Work Experience
- Skills
It is important that you save your document as a PDF. The reason that this is so important is that when you submit your resume, the formatting can get ruined. A PDF file guarantees that this won’t happen when one opens the document.
Update Your Experiences and Skills
You should only include those jobs and skill sets that are relevant to the position you are applying for.
Tailoring your resume to a job description is one of the most important things to do. By tailoring your document, you signal to the hiring manager that your experience is relevant and that you are the right person for the job.
The experience section will change depending on the job you are seeking. If you are beginning your career, include your internships to showcase your skills.
If you are applying for a senior-level role, you would include only your work experience that demonstrate your proficiency in the job requirements.
Your skill section should list all your professional skills that are relevant to the position. Think about it. What’s missing? What needs to be updated?
Examples of these skills would include computer, writing, leadership, organizational, communication, and management skills.
Contact Information
Your contact information should be updated to the most current information. It should include your first and last name, your email, and your phone number. This should be placed at the top toward your header.
Lastly, make sure to read over your document several times to catch any errors, typos, or missing information. If you follow these guidelines, you will stand out and have the best chance to move forward to the interview process.
For more tidy up tips and tricks check out our blog Easy Resume Spring Cleaning and Indeed.
Good luc
