Your resume is often the first thing an employer sees when considering you for a job. It is very important to make a good first impression with your resume. In today’s competitive job market, having a strong resume can make a big difference in getting noticed and getting an interview.
In this blog post, we will discuss 8 simple tweaks you can make to improve the impact of your resume. We’ll provide practical examples and dos and don’ts to help you create a compelling resume that will make you stand out from the crowd.
Optimizing Contact Information
Your contact information is one of the most crucial parts of your resume. If there are any errors or issues with your contact information, employers may not be able to reach you, and you could miss out on job opportunities.
Dos:
- Use a professional email address (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com).
- Use a standard phone number format (e.g., (123) 456-7890).
- Include a professional-sounding LinkedIn URL if you have a profile.
- Use a clear and readable font size for your contact information.
Don’ts:
- Avoid unprofessional email addresses (e.g., partygirl@email.com or johndoe1985@hotmail.com).
- Don’t use unconventional phone number formats (e.g., 123.456.7890 or 123-456-7890).
- Don’t use a tiny font size that makes your contact information difficult to read.
Example: John Smith john.smith@email.com (123) 456-7890 linkedin.com/in/johnsmith
By optimizing your contact information, you ensure that employers can easily reach you and increase your chances of getting an interview.
Crafting a Powerful Professional Summary
Your professional summary is the first section that employers read on your resume. It’s a brief overview of your skills, experience, and achievements, and it can make or break an employer’s first impression of you.
Dos:
- Use strong action verbs (e.g., achieved, managed, developed, led, improved).
- Keep your summary concise (2-3 sentences).
- Tailor your summary to the specific job you’re applying for.
- Use relevant keywords from the job description.
- Highlight your most significant achievements.
- Show your personality and what makes you unique.
Don’ts:
- Avoid using passive language or weak verbs.
- Don’t make your summary too long or wordy.
- Don’t use generic statements that could apply to anyone.
- Don’t include irrelevant information or achievements.
Example: Accomplished marketing professional with over 5 years of experience driving successful campaigns and increasing brand awareness. Skilled in digital marketing, social media management, and content creation. Achieved 25% increase in website traffic and 15% increase in lead generation through targeted campaigns.
A powerful professional summary can grab the employer’s attention and make them want to learn more about you.
Highlighting Your Work Experience
Your work experience section is where you showcase your skills, accomplishments, and the value you can bring to the employer. It’s crucial to present this information in a clear and compelling way.
Dos:
- Use action verbs to describe your responsibilities and achievements (e.g., managed, developed, implemented, increased).
- Quantify your achievements whenever possible (e.g., increased sales by 20%, reduced costs by 15%).
- Tailor your work experience to the specific job you’re applying for.
- Use bullet points to make your experiences easy to read and scan.
Don’ts:
- Avoid using vague or passive language.
- Don’t simply list your job duties or responsibilities.
- Don’t include irrelevant or unrelated experiences.
- Don’t make your work experience section too long or wordy.
Example: Marketing Coordinator (June 2018 – Present) ABC Company, New York, NY
- Developed and executed successful social media campaigns, increasing follower count by 30% in 6 months.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to create and distribute engaging content, resulting in a 15% increase in website traffic.
- Managed budgets and analyzed campaign performance data to optimize marketing strategies.
By highlighting your work experience effectively, you demonstrate your abilities and the value you can bring to the employer.
Showcasing Your Education
Your education section is an essential part of your resume, especially if you’re a recent graduate or changing careers. It’s important to present your educational background in a way that showcases your qualifications and accomplishments.
Dos:
- Include the name of the institution, degree earned, field of study, and graduation year.
- Highlight relevant coursework, projects, or academic achievements.
- List your GPA if it’s above 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Tailor your education section to the job you’re applying for.
Don’ts:
- Don’t include irrelevant or outdated educational information.
- Don’t list courses or achievements that are not relevant to the job.
- Don’t include your GPA if it’s below 3.4 (unless required).
- Don’t make your education section too long or wordy.
Example: Bachelor of Science in Marketing University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Graduated: May 2017 GPA: 3.8/4.0
Relevant Coursework:
- Digital Marketing Strategies
- Consumer Behavior
- Social Media Analytics
By showcasing your education effectively, you demonstrate your qualifications and academic achievements, which can be particularly important for entry-level positions or career changes.
Incorporating Relevant Skills
Including relevant skills on your resume is crucial for demonstrating your qualifications and abilities to potential employers. It’s important to strike a balance between hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (interpersonal abilities).
Dos:
- Highlight both hard skills (e.g., programming languages, software proficiency, data analysis) and soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork, problem-solving).
- Use specific examples to demonstrate your soft skills (e.g., “Effective communicator, able to present complex information to diverse audiences”).
- Tailor your skills to the job you’re applying for by reviewing the job description and incorporating relevant keywords.
Don’ts:
- Avoid listing irrelevant or outdated skills.
- Don’t use vague or generic skill descriptions (e.g., “good communicator”).
- Don’t include skills that you can’t back up with specific examples or experiences.
Example: Hard Skills:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Experience with Google Analytics and SEO techniques
- Skilled in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
Soft Skills:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to convey complex information clearly and concisely.
- Strong problem-solving abilities, adept at identifying and resolving issues efficiently.
- Collaborative team player with experience working in cross-functional environments.
By incorporating relevant skills on your resume, you demonstrate your qualifications and abilities, making it easier for employers to envision you in the role.
Formatting for Readability
The formatting and layout of your resume play a crucial role in making it easy for employers to read and understand your qualifications. A well-formatted resume can make a positive impression and increase the likelihood of your resume being read thoroughly.
Dos:
- Use a consistent layout with clear section headings and consistent formatting (font, size, spacing).
- Choose a professional and easy-to-read font (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri).
- Use bullet points to break up text and make information easier to scan.
- Leave enough white space for a clean and uncluttered appearance.
Don’ts:
- Avoid using multiple fonts or font sizes, as it can appear unprofessional.
- Don’t use overly decorative or hard-to-read fonts.
- Don’t make your resume too dense or crowded with text.
- Don’t use unconventional or distracting formatting (e.g., colored text, graphics).
Example: John Smith 123 Main Street, Anytown, CA 12345 (123) 456-7890 | john.smith@email.com | linkedin.com/in/johnsmith
Professional Summary Accomplished marketing professional with over 5 years of experience driving successful campaigns and increasing brand awareness. Skilled in digital marketing, social media management, and content creation. Achieved 25% increase in website traffic and 15% increase in lead generation through targeted campaigns.
Work Experience Marketing Coordinator (June 2018 – Present) ABC Company, New York, NY
- Developed and executed successful social media campaigns, increasing follower count by 30% in 6 months.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to create and distribute engaging content, resulting in a 15% increase in website traffic.
- Managed budgets and analyzed campaign performance data to optimize marketing strategies.
By formatting your resume for readability, you make it easier for employers to quickly understand your qualifications and experience, increasing the chances of your resume being read and considered.
Including Additional Sections
In addition to the standard sections like work experience and education, you can consider including additional sections on your resume to highlight relevant skills, achievements, or experiences that may set you apart from other candidates.
Dos:
- Include relevant certifications, licenses, or awards that demonstrate your expertise or commitment.
- Highlight relevant volunteer work, extracurricular activities, or personal projects that showcase your skills and interests.
- Use clear and concise formatting (e.g., bullet points, tables) to present additional information in an organized and readable manner.
Don’ts:
- Avoid including irrelevant or outdated information that doesn’t add value to your resume.
- Don’t include personal hobbies or interests unless they directly relate to the job you’re applying for.
- Don’t make additional sections too long or wordy, as they should complement, not overpower, your core resume sections.
Example: Certifications:
- Google Analytics Certified Professional (December 2021)
- HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification (April 2020)
Volunteer Experience:
- Social Media Coordinator, Local Non-Profit Organization (January 2019 – Present)
- Managed social media accounts and created engaging content to raise awareness and increase community engagement.
- Helped organize and promote fundraising events, resulting in a 20% increase in event attendance.
By including relevant additional sections, you can provide employers with a more well-rounded understanding of your skills, experiences, and achievements, making you a stronger candidate for the job.
Proofreading and Final Touches
After putting in the effort to create a compelling resume, it’s essential to proofread it thoroughly and make any necessary final touches to ensure a polished and professional presentation.
Dos:
- Read your resume aloud to catch any awkward phrasing or errors.
- Use spell-check and grammar tools, but don’t rely solely on them.
- Ask a friend or family member to proofread your resume for a fresh perspective.
- Ensure consistency in formatting, font, and style throughout your resume.
- Use bullet points, bolding, and italics to highlight important information and make your resume easy to scan.
Don’ts:
- Don’t rely solely on spell-check or grammar tools, as they can miss errors.
- Don’t submit your resume without thoroughly proofreading it yourself.
- Don’t use jargon, buzzwords, or overly complex language that may be difficult to understand.
- Don’t make your resume too long or wordy, as it may lose the employer’s interest.
Example: After proofreading and making final touches, your resume should be free of errors, consistent in formatting, and easy to read. It should highlight your qualifications, experiences, and achievements in a clear and compelling way, making it easy for employers to understand why you’re the ideal candidate for the job.
By following these simple tweaks and paying attention to detail, you can create a resume that makes a strong and lasting impression on potential employers, increasing your chances of getting noticed and landing your dream job.
Remember, your resume is often the first impression an employer has of you, so it’s crucial to ensure it’s polished, professional, and impactful. With a well-crafted resume, you’ll be one step closer to securing the job you want.
