In The Job Market? Here’s Ten Things You Should Know About Resumes

The resume is a marketing brochure – and you are the product. You need a powerful dynamic resume that stands out to sell your skills, experience, and the value you will bring to your next employer. Easy, right? Here are ten things you should know about your resume that can help boost your chances in the job search.

1. Modernize your resume. Your resume has two destinations – recruiters/hiring Managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (also known as an ATS, the system an employer uses to collect resumes) and you must tailor your resume for both audiences. Overall, this means a good-looking resume, in the proper format, that is highly readable, and loaded with keywords that will act as guides through the filters and algorithms the ATSs use to filter compare your qualifications to the job description.

2. Fifteen seconds. Ask a recruiter, and chances are they’ll tell you that’s the average amount of time it takes them to decide whether your resume goes up the ladder. It’s not fair, but that is the reality.

3. Two pages. With special exceptions for academics and scientists, it’s best if a resume does not exceed two pages for reasons of brevity and readability. In the case of an experienced professional, two pages is appropriate. For a recent graduate or someone in the infancy of his or her career (three years of work or less), one page should be sufficient.

4.  Use Microsoft Word. Yes, there are other applications that do the “same” thing (Apple Pages, Google Docs, etc.) but most Recruiters/Hiring Managers use MS Word and, in many cases the ATS is calibrated to Word since the majority of employers use the software. A resume built in MS Word maximizes the chances that when your recipient opens your resume file, or the information in it is uploaded to an ATS, it will look and read the way you intended.

5.  Use Universal Fonts. Do not get creative with fonts. Using universal fonts is best practice for written resumes, digital files, and uploads. Everyone has an opinion, but there are some standard fonts that are recommended, such as Arial, Calibri, Cambria, and Times New Roman. Almost every employer has these fonts on their computer, they’re professional, and the Applicant Tracking Systems expect them and can process them. It’s best to avoid Comic Sans and obscure fonts on the resume.

6.  Stick with one column. Do not use multiple columns or text boxes. Text formatted using these looks nice, but the ATS might just pass the text over. Tables should be used very sparingly. Tabs are your best friend.

7. One size does not fit all. Each job is different so each resume should be too. Take the time to edit your resume to align it with the job requirements of the position to which you are applying. Changes do not need to be drastic, just strategic. Punch your existing skills/experience/accomplishments that are the most closely associated with your target. Recruiters and hiring managers will most likely notice you took the time to do that.

8.  Do not use a photo. In the United States and many other regions, your resume should not have your photo. Your photo takes the focus off your skills and achievements and redirects it toward your appearance. And it’s just not standard.

9. Dump the old stuff. Your resume should be up to date and relevant. Do not go further back than ten years unless there’s a really compelling reason to do so. If you are a recent graduate, you can dump your graduation date after two years. As far as the content, unless it’s completely relevant to your job search, dump it.

10. Accomplishments sell. Job duties are required reading but aren’t exciting to a hiring manager. Your resume should not read like it was cut and pasted from a generic job listing. Your specific accomplishments speak to the value you could potentially bring to a position and offer you the opportunity to highlight your best work.

Philip Roufail contributed to this article.

Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, career coaching services, and outplacement services. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercareerstrategies.com.