I review hundreds of resumes every year and there are so many opinions on what makes a resume stand out – from creative ideas like the Donut Delivery Resume to your standard Microsoft Word template.
With the hiring function now taking place almost completely online, there are a few things that you must do to make sure your resume gets in front of the person hiring.
Here are my tried, tested and true Resume Tips Everyone Should Know.
File Name
Save your resume file as “Your Name Resume YYYY” – Jane Doe Resume 2021 – and not just “resume“. It may be the only resume file on your computer – but when you are sending it to a Recruiter or HR you are one in a million. You have no idea how many resumes I get that are just titled “resume” and it will get lost in the file.
File Format
A Word (DOC, DOCX) file is the simplest format for your resume. Recruiters/HR are generally using a talent management software, so when you email or upload your resume it is automatically parsed into the database. A plain old word document ensures that it is uploaded correctly and that the content is legible*. A PDF file is also acceptable but remember to keep the file size under 400kb.
The likelihood of someone editing your Word doc resume is extremely slim – so send your applications in Word or PDF.
Graphics, Photos, Images
There is no room for your headshot on your resume. I know there is a very popular Word template that gives you the option. Unless you are applying for a role where you will be the face of a business (spokesperson, on-camera role, etc.) cut the photo.
Graphics and images get you noticed on a hard copy (printed) resume but leave them off when submitting online. They can and will interfere with how your resume uploads and formats in the company’s database. If you have your name as an image, have it in the header or as a logo this can mean that those fields will be left blank and when the potential employer looks at the file, there’s no way to tell who you are.
Resume Length
Typically a Recruiter/HR spends about 3.5 seconds reviewing resumes on the first pass. This sounds like no one gets a chance – but that’s why it is so important to make sure the information** we need is easy to find. A resume should be 1-2 pages in length max. You can use your LinkedIn profile
**What Information Are We Looking For? The initial pieces of data we are looking for are Job Title, Company Name and Length of Employment. It should be bold or underlined.
Customize Your Resume For Each Role
You should have a standard, general resume or CV** with all of your work experience listed and bullet points under each role. Use this as the basis to customize your resume pertaining to each role you are applying for. Use the job description to pick out any themes for your resume “voice” and look for recurring keywords or skills and make sure you include them when editing.
**Use your LinkedIn profile as your full resume/CV and make sure it’s optimized for SEO so you can be found when Recruiters are searching!
Use a Template!
I recommend using a Microsoft Word template or there are free sites like cvmkr.com or resume.io which allows you to edit/customize the information and gives you a format to choose from to export.
Contact Info
This is an area that has changed over the years. A best practice is to have your direct personal phone number (Cell) as well as your email address*. I also recommend having your LinkedIn Public Profile Link, Portfolio/Website (if you have one).
You no longer need to provide your mailing address on your resume because you’re not mailing out paper resumes or receiving paper responses generally . But if you’re applying to a role in a small market/location and currently live in that location it can help. Use your discretion!
*Make sure you have a professional email address – yourname@mail.com OR yourname1234@mail.com. Don’t send applications from your old “sk8rgurl_92” address!
Profile Summary
Think of your resume as your professional marketing document. A profile summary should be 1-3 sentences to“sell yourself”. It’s your chance to write a great headline and capture the reason you are a fit and the person hiring should continue. This is not your life story or your “about me” section, it is what you do and bring to the table to solve their hiring need.
Experience
Unless you are a recent grad, your Work Experience should be the next section of content in your resume. Typically you want to put your full-time work experience here and as you get older, this section can make your resume pretty long. It’s tough to know what to cut so my advice is – if you’ve been working more than 15 years, you can keep the company name, your title and employment years of your early roles.
Build out the recent and increasingly senior experience with bullet points of your key accomplishments, specialty/area of expertise and anywhere you were able to add value to the role/organization.
Education should be underneath Work Experience, but keep it short – College / University name, Degree/Certification and Graduation Year are all that you really need.
Volunteer Work
It is my recommendation to put volunteer work on your resume, but only if you have enough room. Again, you want to keep it short with the Organization Name, Your Role and Year.
Awards
Accolades from industry associations and professional organizations are a good way to stand out and these can be included at the botton of your resume.
References
“Excellent References Available Upon Request” was always standard at the bottom of my resume, but my advice is to ditch this section altogether. It is filler and there is really no need to add it. It is assumed by hiring managers/Recruiters that you will be able to provide professional references.
You should also never give out your references without being requested. Whenever you’re giving a person as a reference, make sure you’ve contacted them beforehand. Confirm they are available and willing to give one and let them know who will be calling.
If you have any questions about Resume Tips and Best Practices then leave a comment below or email questions[at]carlyanne.com
