Simple Ways to Up-date Your Curriculum vitae

Hiring managers allocate only 3-5 seconds to quickly scan an applicant’s resume. If they don’t come across something attention-grabbing, it’s likely to end up in the reject pile or, worse, the shredder. So, how can you ensure that your resume doesn’t leave you waiting in vain? The key is an updated resume. Here, follow these insightful resume update tips to give yours a remarkable makeover.

Resume Update Tips to Follow

Change Your Font.

Most resumes utilize the Times New Roman or Arial font. An easy way to make your resume stand out is by experimenting with different fonts that still maintain a professional look. Calibri, Cambria, Tahoma, Verdana, or Century Gothic are all good font choices.

Fix the Flaws.

Thoroughly review for typos, spelling errors, and grammar mistakes. Choose to use periods or not—pick one approach and stick with it consistently throughout your entire resume.

Omit the Image.

Believe me, it’s better not to include one! Some employers will not even consider a resume with a picture due to Equal Opportunity and discrimination laws.

Specificity is Impressive.

General statements like “Implemented new programs to reduce costs” can be mundane. Add specificity to showcase your accomplishments by rephrasing the statement like so: “Introduced an employee referral program, reducing recruitment costs by over 30%.”

Customize.

Does the job posting provide information on what they’re seeking? Align the job requirements with your skills. (For example, state their requirement and then elaborate on how your skills fulfill that requirement.)

Incorporate Action Verbs.

Here are a few examples: streamlined, implemented, organized, directed, orchestrated, managed, created, developed… you get the idea. Instead of stating, “Responsible for leading a task force to address employee concerns,” say, “Guided a task force in tackling employee satisfaction issues, reported findings to management, and proposed solutions to enhance employee morale.” Notice how the first one is passive and the second one paints a vivid picture of the task?

Trim Unnecessary Information.

It’s nice that you enjoy exercising in your leisure time and are active in your church, but these details may not be relevant to your job. Focus on mentioning activities and accomplishments that are pertinent to the job requirements or that emphasize your qualifications. Make sure you’re providing accurate information. Fabricating information on your application is a surefire way to get dismissed before you’re even hired! While it’s great to “brag” about your experience and achievements, honesty is key.

Aim for Two Pages.

One-page resumes can be a bit restrictive unless you use a tiny font, but most hiring managers won’t read beyond two pages.

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