January traditionally signals increased activity in search of work. Of course, nothing is traditional these days, as the response to the pandemic has upended almost every way we work.
So, ignore the tradition – it’s time to take a modern look at your resume to make sure you don’t make any mistakes that could hold you back. The following are common mistakes people make when they combine old practices with new ones when creating their resumes.
1. Excessive use of templates. Online templates can be life-saving when you’re in a hurry, but they’re also petty tyrants that can limit your options on a large and small scale. Make sure you are in control of your template and not the other way around.
2. Excessive formatting. One of the features extended by templates is the ability to format your document to hell. Unfortunately, some online application systems cannot read all of these margins and curlicues. Use a simpler style for universal access.
3. Ignoring the presence on the screen. Because nearly all resumes are first encountered on a computer screen, it’s important to format them so that important information appears in the top third—or first screen—of the document. Headlines, short summary statements, and skill briefs are all good choices for this place.
4. Providing too much contact information. Your name, phone number, and email address is all that’s needed, although adding your city and state can also be helpful for the reader’s context. But a postal address, or multiple phone numbers and email addresses? You will simply confuse this critical area of ​​the first screen.
5. Insufficient provision of information about the work. A summary is usually appropriate for a resume, but context is also important. Instead of jumping to a list of responsibilities, start your job postings with a general sentence describing your role, department size, product, etc.
6. Jargonize your content. See what I did there? Jargon isn’t really a word, like some of the other terms people cram into their resumes. Strive to communicate rather than impress and your resume will be more effective.
7. Use of photos. Photos in the resume not only take up a lot of space, but also slow down the work of some application systems. Not to mention they embarrass employers with fair hiring practices. Save photos for LinkedIn.
8. Don’t upload to LinkedIn. Speaking of LinkedIn, job seekers today really need an account on this platform. Whether you like the program or not, it’s pragmatic to put your information where so many employers start looking for workers. When you create a free account and upload your resume, you expand your reach greatly.
9. Do not check hyperlinks. It is now customary to add a hyperlink to a project or personal website so that the resume reader can get more information. If you use a link, check it from time to time to make sure it’s still where you expected it to be.
10. Let your COVID-gap dominate. If you haven’t worked for months or a year, leading with your last job or old dates will be more distracting than informing employers. Let your work history fall to the second third of the page (second screen) so you can present more up-to-date information first.
11. Ignoring online courses. Whatever online courses you take, they should be listed on your resume. If they are professional in nature, put them in the training section. If they are more related to a personal interest, list them in the interests section at the end. Demonstrating continuous learning is an important resume feature today, as well as an important hiring criterion.
12. Don’t list remote work skills. In the same light, you have no doubt become familiar or even an expert on Zoom, Teams, Dropbox, WhatsApp, or other tools used as part of a remote workplace. Even if you only hosted teleconferences for face-to-face conversations, employers like to know that you can handle these processes.
Another slightly controversial tip: if you are vaccinated and don’t mind saying so, add “Fully vaccinated” at the end of your final statement. If you are not vaccinated or do not wish to share your status, please ignore this offer. The fact is that some employers will appreciate the knowledge, but they do not have the opportunity to ask during the interview. But don’t worry – it won’t be missed if you don’t turn it on; it is a personal choice and strategy.
That’s it – follow some or all of these strategies and you’ll have a more up-to-date resume in no time. Now it’s time to work on the hair…
Amy Lindgren owns a consulting firm in St. Paul. She can be contacted at [email protected]
