With so many looking for jobs, many people have found the opportunity to dive into a new business. Resume writing has been a successful career for some, using platforms like LinkedIn as a perfect form of advertising. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on building a resume, use these tips and resources to create a perfect resume for you.
Do
Add accomplishments: Adding accomplishments to your role further shows that you not only understand your role but also show where you’ve been successful in each job. Try adding at least 2-3 major accomplishments per role on your resume.
Add keywords: This step is vital! Many companies may run your resume through an automatic tracking system (ATS) before it’s even seen by a recruiter or hiring manager. Often, there is a threshold set for keywords (e.g. 65% of keywords must be present in the resume). If this threshold is not met, you may get an auto-reject email.
Customize your resume: It may be frustrating to do this step when applying to 5+ jobs a day, but customizing your resume with keywords and skills that are mentioned in the job posting can lead to an increase in passing an ATS. If you’re applying for multiple jobs that are all similar, you will not need to customize too much for different applications. However, if you are applying to several different roles, I recommend that you have a few templates for each role. Save a few templates for yourself, and customize each one as needed.
Keep the template simple: Many resume templates may look good in Microsoft Word, but too many margins or unique structures may cause an ATS to miss important words. Odd margins can make it difficult to manage a healthy word count, and cause your resume to grow too long. Unless you’re applying for a company that you know is looking for a resume that looks visually attractive (pictures, colors, etc.) avoid a complicated template. Keep your font simple as well. Interesting fonts may be eye-popping, but can also be seen as unprofessional to recruiters or hiring managers.
Proofread, and have others proofread: You must proofread your resume several times. Before you submit your resume to that one job that fits your work history perfectly, reread your resume. If you can, have a friend, family member, or partner proofread your resume as well.
Review tips from multiple sources: As much as I would like to say you have everything you need here, it is still healthy to consult multiple sources for resume tips. Below there are additional resources for free that can help you with your resume. Recruiters and hiring managers have different preferences, so it can be difficult to have one resume that would fit every preferred style out there. Do your research, and consult several resources.
Use Microsoft Word or PDF: Most ATSs can scan for keywords in Word or PDF. However, Microsoft Word has the most success for an ATS. If you can ensure that your document will stay properly formatted when submitted through email or an online application system, sticking to Word is usually your best option. However, if the application asks for a PDF, be sure to submit it that way.
Don’t
Add your picture to your resume: This tactic may work for internal promotions when giving your resume to a party you already know. However, if you’re applying to a new company, you’d like to avoid any employer bias, whether subconscious or not.
Add keywords in white, small font text: This tactic gained a little traction over the last year or two, but can truly hurt your candidacy in many applications. While it may be tempting to take a step up on the system, an ATS may be able to spot this tactic, and your resume/name can be flagged by the company leading you to be banned from applying for new roles in the future.
Go too short, or too long: This is another frustrating aspect of submitting resumes. There is not a strong consensus among HR Reps, recruiters, or hiring managers when it comes to the length of resumes. Some want a single page, and some, want two. A half-page resume with a brief description of each job likely won’t meet needed thresholds, and while a 3-4 page resume might, it may be passed over by a recruiter as too much work when scouring several hundred resumes. If your career history is short, keep the resume to one full page. If you have many accomplishments and a long career history, try to limit the resume to 2 pages, or 3 max.
Spend too much money on creating a resume: You may be tempted to go to a resume writer. And if you have the cash, and feel it’s important to do so, that’s your prerogative. However, avoid spending several hundred dollars on a resume writer who cannot guarantee your resume will be seen. There are many free books, YouTube videos, and articles like this that can help you build a good resume.
Additional Resources
Resume: Writing 2024 The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Resume that Lands You the Job by Charles W. Hanson – This book is available for free on Kindle Unlimited
How to Write the Perfect Resume: Stand Out, Land Interviews, and Get the Job You Want by Dan Clay – Also available on Kindle Unlimited
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