Resume Trends
8 Tips for Improving Your Resume
In today’s competitive job market, dominated by AI technology and applicant tracking systems (ATS), an impressive resume is more important than ever. Whether your a senior professional or have no experience, your resume is often the first impression you make on a potential employer, and it needs to effectively communicate your skills, experience, and achievements.
To improve your resume, consider the following tips:
- Review and Update Your Information
- Tailor Your Resume for Each Job
- Highlight Your Achievements
- Use Action Words
- Optimize the Layout and Design
- Focus on Relevant Skills
- Proofread and Edit Thoroughly
- Use Professional Help
Let’s explore each improvement in more detail so you know you’re writing the best resume possible.
A strong resume not only highlights your qualifications but also sets you apart from other candidates. It’s your primary tool for showcasing your professional value and convincing employers that you’re the best fit for the job. Investing time and effort into improving your resume can significantly impact your job search success.
Want extra help? Check out our resume builder to save yourself valuable time and energy. Get an expertly made resume quickly and easily today!
1. Review and Update Your Information
It shouldn’t be no surprise that reviewing and updating your contact information is the first step in improving your resume.
Current Contact Information
One of the most critical steps in updating your resume is ensuring your contact information is accurate and current. Double-check that your phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile are up-to-date.
If an employer cannot reach you, an outdated phone number or email can mean missed opportunities. Additionally, including your LinkedIn profile allows potential employers to see a more detailed view of your professional history and endorsements.
Recent Work Experience
Next, review your work experience section and add any recent job roles, responsibilities, and achievements. Clearly state your job title, the company name, location, and the dates of employment.
Pro Tip: Use bullet points to outline your key responsibilities and significant accomplishments. Whenever possible, quantify your achievements with numbers, such as “increased sales by 20%” or “managed a team of 10 employees,” to provide concrete evidence of your impact.
Updated Skills
As you grow professionally, you acquire new skills and certifications that can make you more attractive to employers. Ensure your resume reflects any new skills, tools, or technologies you’ve learned since your last update.
Include hard skills and soft skills, as well as any relevant certifications, courses, or training programs you’ve completed. Keeping your skills section current ensures you present yourself as a continuously improving professional who stays updated with industry trends.
Improve Your Resume With Our Templates
2. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job
Tailoring your resume is a great to getting the attention of hiring managers. They usually have so many applications to look at that they will likely only notice ones that directly relate to the job.
Analyze the Job Description
Before submitting your resume for a specific job, take the time to carefully analyze the job description. Look for keywords and phrases that describe the qualifications, technical skills, and experiences the employer is seeking.
These keywords often indicate what the applicant tracking system (ATS) and hiring managers are looking for, so it’s essential to incorporate them into your resume.
Customize Your Content
Once you’ve identified the key phrases and requirements from the job description, customize your resume content to align with these specifics.
Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job requirements. Tailoring your resume shows that you’ve taken the time to understand what the employer needs and demonstrates how you are the perfect fit for the role.
Use Job Titles and Responsibilities
To make your resume ATS-friendly, use job titles and responsibilities that mirror those found in the job description.
For example, if the job description emphasizes project management, ensure that your resume reflects your project management experience using similar language. This alignment not only helps your resume pass through ATS filters but also makes it easier for hiring managers to see how your background matches their needs.
Examples to Improve Your Resume
Check out our resume examples for inspiration to get ideas for improving yours.
3. Highlight Your Achievements
An improved resume will showcase your most relevant accomplishments so hiring managers can quickly see that you are a valuable employee.
Quantify Your Successes
One of the most effective ways to make your resume stand out is by quantifying your successes. Numbers and statistics provide concrete evidence of your accomplishments and demonstrate the value you can bring to an employer.
For example, instead of saying you “improved sales,” you could say you “increased sales by 25% within six months.” Use metrics such as percentages, dollar amounts, and time frames to give a clear picture of your impact.
Use the STAR Method
The STAR method is a powerful way to detail your achievements. It stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result.
Here’s how to use it:
- Situation: Describe the context or challenge you faced.
- Task: Explain the specific task or responsibility you had in that situation.
- Action: Detail the actions you took to address the task.
- Result: Highlight the positive outcomes of your actions, using quantifiable results whenever possible.
For example: “Led a team project (Situation) to develop a new marketing strategy (Task). Conducted market research and coordinated with the design team (Action), resulting in a 30% increase in customer engagement within three months (Result).”
Showcase Key Accomplishments
Focus on the achievements that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Review the job description and identify the key skills and experiences the employer is looking for.
Then, highlight your most impressive and relevant accomplishments that demonstrate these qualities. Tailoring your achievements to the specific job will show employers that you have a proven track record of success in areas that matter most to them.
Templates to Improve Your Resume
Our resume templates give you a head start when looking to update your resume and make it the best it can be!
4. Use Action Words
Here’s a great tip for improving a resume: action words play an important part in making your resume pop off the page to grab the reader’s attention.
Powerful Verbs
Starting each bullet point with a strong action word makes your resume more dynamic and impactful. Action verbs like “led,” “developed,” “managed,” “initiated,” and “achieved” convey a sense of proactivity and accomplishment. They help to create a more vivid and compelling picture of your professional experience.
Variety of Descriptors
Avoid repetition by using a variety of verbs and descriptors for your responsibilities and achievements. Instead of repeatedly using “responsible for” or “managed,” mix in different verbs to keep your resume engaging. For instance, alternate between words like “oversaw,” “coordinated,” “executed,” “facilitated,” and “implemented” to describe your roles and contributions.
Industry-Specific Language
Using industry-specific language shows that you are knowledgeable and experienced in your field. Incorporate terms and jargon that are relevant to your industry to demonstrate your expertise. This not only helps to catch the attention of hiring managers who are familiar with these terms but also ensures that your resume resonates with the ATS if it is programmed to look for industry-specific keywords.
5. Optimize the Layout and Design
By using an optimized design, such as a simple and basic resume template, you can make sure your format serves to easily showcase your most relevant qualifications.
Clear and Clean Format
A professional, easy-to-read layout is crucial for making a positive impression. Use clear headings and subheadings to organize the content, and leave ample white space to make the text more readable.
Avoid clutter by keeping the design simple and focused. A modern resume not only looks appealing but also helps recruiters quickly find the information they need.
Consistent Font and Style
Consistency in font size and style ensures your resume looks polished and professional. Choose a standard, legible font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
Use a single font throughout the document, varying the size only for headings and subheadings. Avoid excessive use of bold, italics, or underlining, as too many styles can be distracting. A consistent format helps maintain a clean and professional appearance.
Use Bullet Points
Enhance readability by using bullet points and short sentences to outline your responsibilities and achievements. Bullet points make it easier for recruiters to scan your resume quickly and pick out key information.
Each bullet point should start with a strong action verb and be concise, focusing on your most important contributions and results. This approach makes your resume more dynamic and impactful.
6. Focus on Relevant Skills
Picking the right skills is critical to improving a resume. Whether it’s something transferable, like communication, or direction, such as computer skills, ensure your resume properly demonstrates your most relevant abilities.
-
Match Job Requirements
Highlight skills that are directly related to the job you are applying for. Carefully read the job description and identify the key skills required. Then, ensure these skills are prominently featured in your resume. Tailoring your skills section to match the job requirements shows employers that you have the qualifications they are looking for.
-
Soft and Hard Skills
Include a balance of both soft and hard skills in your resume. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities such as technical proficiency, foreign languages, or certifications. Soft skills, on the other hand, are interpersonal attributes like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. A well-rounded resume showcases your ability to perform technical tasks and interact effectively with others.
-
Certifications and Training
List any relevant certifications or training programs you’ve completed. These can demonstrate your commitment to professional development and expertise in your field. Include the name of the certification or training, the issuing organization, and the date of completion. Relevant certifications can set you apart from other candidates by showing that you have specialized knowledge and skills.
7. Proofread and Edit Thoroughly
Eliminate Typos and Errors
Carefully proofreading your resume is essential to eliminate any typos, grammatical errors, or formatting issues. Mistakes can create a negative impression and suggest a lack of attention to detail.
Read through your resume multiple times and use tools like spell checkers to catch errors. It’s often helpful to read the document aloud, as this can help you spot mistakes you might miss when reading silently.
Consistency Check
Ensuring consistency in your resume is just as important as eliminating errors. Check that all sections of your resume are formatted consistently, including fonts, font sizes, bullet points, and spacing.
Make sure your dates and locations are presented in a uniform style, and that any abbreviations are used consistently throughout the document. Consistency makes your resume look professional and well-organized.
Seek Feedback
Before finalizing your resume, ask a friend, mentor, or colleague to review it. Fresh eyes can often spot errors or areas for improvement that you might have missed.
They can also provide valuable feedback on the overall clarity and impact of your resume. Consider seeking feedback from someone familiar with your industry, as they can offer insights into what employers are looking for in your field.
8. Get Professional Help
Using the knowledge and experience of a career professional or organization is a great way to ensure you improve your resume to the best of its potential.
Resume Builders
Online resume builders are valuable tools that can help you create a polished and professional resume. These tools offer a variety of templates and formats that you can customize to suit your needs. They also often provide helpful tips and guidance on what to include in each section of your resume. Using a resume builder can save time and ensure that your resume is visually appealing and well-organized.
Professional Writers
If you want expert assistance, consider hiring a professional resume writer. These professionals have the experience and knowledge to craft a resume that effectively highlights your strengths and achievements. They can provide personalized advice and ensure that your resume is tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. A professionally written resume can give you a competitive edge in the job market.
Career Coaches
Career coaches can offer valuable advice and support as you refine your resume and job search strategy. They can help you identify your career goals, improve your resume and cover letter, and prepare for interviews. Working with a career coach can give you the confidence and skills you need to successfully navigate the job market and achieve your career objectives.
Key Takeaways
To sum up, the best way to improve your resume includes the following key tips:
- Ensure all contact information, recent work experience, and skills are current.
- Customize your resume to match the job description, using relevant keywords and phrases.
- Use quantifiable results to showcase your accomplishments and employ the STAR method.
- Start bullet points with strong action verbs and use industry-specific language to demonstrate expertise.
- Maintain a clear, consistent format with professional fonts and use bullet points for readability.
- Include a balance of soft and hard skills, and list any relevant certifications or training.
- Eliminate typos and errors, ensure consistency, and seek feedback from others.
- Consider using resume builders, hiring professional writers, or consulting career coaches for expert advice.
Pro Tip:
Start applying these strategies to your resume today to improve its effectiveness!
Use Our Resume Builder!
- 15+ customizable resume templates.
- Personalized content suggestions.
- Make a resume that impresses.
FAQ
Updated: August 06, 2024
You should update your resume every six months to a year, or whenever you have new accomplishments, skills, or job experiences to add. Regular updates ensure that your resume is always ready for new opportunities.
The most important sections of a resume are:
-
Contact Information: Your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile.
Professional - Summary: A brief statement that highlights your key qualifications and career goals.
- Work Experience: Detailed information about your job roles, responsibilities, and achievements.
- Skills: A list of relevant hard and soft skills.
- Education: Your academic background, including degrees and certifications.
- Certifications and Training: Any additional certifications or training programs you’ve completed.
-
Contact Information: Your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile.
To make your resume stand out with employers:
- Customize for Each Job: Tailor your resume to match the job description and use relevant keywords.
- Highlight Achievements: Focus on quantifiable accomplishments using the STAR method.
- Use Action Words: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb.
-
Professional Layout: Ensure a clean, consistent format with easy-to-read fonts.
Include a - Professional Summary: Summarize your key qualifications and career goals at the top of your resume.
While not always required, including a cover letter can enhance your application.
A cover letter lets you introduce yourself, explain your interest in the position, and highlight how your skills and experiences align with the job. It adds a personal touch and can help differentiate you from other candidates.
Common mistakes to avoid when improving your resume include:
-
Typos and Grammatical Errors: Carefully proofread to eliminate mistakes.
Inconsistent - Formatting: Ensure uniformity in fonts, sizes, and styles.
- Too Much Information: Keep your resume concise and focused on relevant experiences.
- Lack of Quantifiable Achievements: Use numbers and statistics to demonstrate your impact.
- Generic Content: Customize your resume for each job application to match the job requirements.
-
Typos and Grammatical Errors: Carefully proofread to eliminate mistakes.
RATE OUR TEMPLATES
