Updating your resume in 2024 involves showcasing specialized skills that set candidates apart in tech-driven roles. Applicant tracking systems skim resumes for relevant competencies first before human reviewers take deeper dives.
Tailor the following 10 resume sections to reinforce unique qualifications that make you shine over hundreds of applications for any given role.
1. Contact Information
Open resumes with centered header banners including full name, professional title, phone number, email address, city and state location (optional), and LinkedIn profile link formatted neatly.
Do:
√ Choose an appropriate email like FullName@gmail.com or FirstLast@outlook.com signaling professionalism
√ Create voicemail greeting sounding polished for phone number shared
√ Customize job title names to each application like Digital Marketing Specialist
Don’t:
X Use silly sounding emails reminding hiring managers of college nicknames like BeerPongQueen or XxJayBWowXx@aol.com
X List phone number with messy voicemail greetings full of background noise
X Misalign contact details formatting or use crazy small font sizes
2. Professional Profile or Qualifications Summary Section
Under contact headers, open with “Professional Profile” or “Qualifications Summary” sections crafted specifically for matching target job descriptions. Distill top selling points positioning your value fit in 4 impactful bullet points.
Do:
√ Demonstrate through metrics how experience applies to needs
√ Address core technical abilities or certificates wanted
√ Showcase soft skills like persuasion or adaptability
Don’t:
X Exceed 6 brief sentences or bullets risking engagement
X Use boring cliches like “hard working team player”
X Copy generic phrases between profiles forgetting personalization
3. Core Technical Skills Section
Beyond briefly mentioning technical abilities in summaries, create a separate designated skills section too. Curate 6-8 specialized competencies wanted by hiring managers for that niche using keywords from listings. Consider:
Software & Platforms – Salesforce, MailChips, QuickBooks
Methodologies – Lean Six Sigma, Design Thinking
Programming Code – SQL, HTML, JavaScript, Python
Equipment – CRM tools, 3D Modeling
Certifications – PMP, Six Sigma Black Belt, CPR
Do:
√ Include only skills clearly applying to targeted positions
√ Update regularly with new technical capabilities mastered
√ Break skills into logical headline categories if applicable
Don’t:
X Pad skills sections artificially with completely irrelevant abilities relating to openings
X Exaggerate or lie about expertise levels actually gained from formal experience
X Use industry acronyms or niche technologies randomly that don’t broadly apply
4. Work Experience Sections
Structure each previous job entry applying to future goals using this formula:
Job Title | Company Name | Location | Employment Dates
3-6 Relevant Achievements Bullet Points in First-Person Action Verbs
Do:
√ Quantify accomplishments with metrics highlighting excellence like “Increased lead conversions 22% over 2 years through implementing new analytics tracking across previously siloed platforms”
√ Focus exclusively on accomplishments relevant to aspirations – not just routine responsibilities
√ Emphasize results tied to money earned/saved, people helped, etc
Don’t:
X Simply list repetitive duties using boring adjectives and lacking context
X Neglect quantifying scope and scale using numbers
X Leave gaps between previous roles without explanations addressing sabbaticals
5. Project Experience Sections
Alongside formal jobs, incorporate standalone project experience sections to feature relevant initiatives like: capstones conducting user research on apps while in school, volunteering to code new websites for nonprofits, or leading process optimizations across multiple roles at single employers.
Title sections clearly labeled as “Projects”, “Volunteer Work”, “Course Highlights” etc. Then break-down projects into mini achievement entries similar to full positions using metrics:
Project Title | Organization | Project Dates
3-6 Bullet Points on Your Actions and Accomplishments
Do:
√ Showcase leadership scope outside formal authority like “As rotating volunteer developer improving wildlife conservancy site analytics, I identified UX pain points doubled mobile donations when simplified.”
√ Demonstrate both technical expertise and soft skills winning over project approvers across organizations outside of reporting structures
Don’t:
X Assume recruiters intuitively piece together context
X Underestimate the power of showcasing well-roundedness beyond 9 to 5 jobs alone
6. Education Sections
Format final school entries applying to aspirations using this formula:
Degree | University Name | Location | Graduation Date
Optional Relevant Coursework or Activities Bullet Points
Do:
√ Include GPAs 3.5> rounding to 2 decimal points only
√ Feature scholarship awards exhibiting academic excellence
√ Showcase project coursework applying to career goals later
Don’t:
X Neglect listing graduation dates leaving timeline gaps
X Use pretentious language around capstones or research publication
X Resurface high school accolades irrelevant 10+ years later
7. Professional Development Sections
Beyond academic programs, dedicate an ongoing section for always upskilling through:
Conferences Attended – South by Southwest, Salesforce World Tour
Specialized Training Programs – Google Analytics Academy, Facebook Blueprint Social Media Certification
Software or Equipment Trainings – 3D CAD Modeling with SolidWorks, Microsoft Dynamics NAV ERP
Feature 1-2 sentences explaining useful takeaways applied on the job after developing these niche skills.
Do:
√ Curate opportunities specifically relevant to field
√ Showcase brief factoids exhibiting retention
Don’t:
X Overwhelm with excessively wordy explanations
X List general interests like “Reading fiction novels monthly”
8. Professional Affiliations Sections
Alongside hard skills, feature 1-2 sentence involvement entries reflecting leadership engaging industry peer networks through:
Member – American Marketing Association, Chicago Chapter
Volunteer – Public Relations Student Society Non-Profit Organization
Board Member – Society for Technical Communication Annual Conference Chairperson
Do:
√ Include note if you presented seminars or led workshops
√ Reference networked experts supporting career referrals
Don’t:
X Assume membership alone helps without showcasing explicit leadership
X Spotlight affiliations completely irrelevant to functions
9. Volunteer Work Sections
Curate a customized section highlighting 1-6 bullet pointed achievements volunteering for causes improving communities when possible. Examples:
Mentor – Coded HTML/CSS website for At-Risk Youth Non-Profit Organization
Lead Organizer – Raised $5000 through Virtual 5K Supporting Covid Vaccine Access
ESL Instructor – Prepared adult learner lesson plans 2 hours/week at community centers
Quantify hours devoted, donations raised, people helped, efficiency improvements etc grazing leadership and social impact whenever possible.
Do:
√ Demonstrate globally conscious proactivity beyond just office jobs
√ Balance showcasing kindness and qualifications concurrently
Don’t:
X Assume empathy cannot shine concurrently with hard metrics
10. Hobbies and Interests Sections (Optional)
This final element allows glimpses into personality when strictly relevant to role environments. For example, spotlighting charity running achievements for health journalists or photography skills shooting models as a makeup artist.
Even general creative pursuits outside work counterbalances hard skills signaling intellectual curiosity through ongoing learning. But keep details concise using only 2-3 bullets maximally.
Do:
√ Make purposeful personality connections matching workplace cultures and roles
Don’t:
X Spotlight controversial affiliations without context
X Neglect considering what activities reinforce desired traits
Conclusion
Striving for excellence securing 2024 job outlooks involves showcasing multifaceted value beyond any singular career dimension alone. Refine resumes continuously emphasizing measurable competencies that set your candidacy apart through specialized experiences beyond academic or technical capabilities in isolation.
Pair core function expertise with continuously updated training benchmarks proving commitment to lifelong learning in our fast changing modern economy. Volunteer work matters highlighting leadership initiative improving communities when possible. Hobbies in closing draw ties binding personalities to organizational values when strategically relevant.
Follow these 10 key resume section writing tips to reinforce strengths from all angles. Quantify past achievements wherever possible using metrics – then watch interviews stack up! You’ve got this!
