Starting a job search can feel overwhelming, especially right now. One of the most important things you can do to increase your chance for landing a job is making sure you have a resume ready to go and it’s up-to-date. If you’re currently looking for a job, read on to learn how to create a resume that will stand out and help you get the job. Need help getting started? Goodwill’s MyCareerAdvisor.com can help you develop your resume. Goodwill team members are also available to help guide you through the process at Goodwill Career Centers.
Design and Formatting
You don’t need expensive software to format a beautifully designed resume. Start by making sure the most important information is included at the beginning. An “Objective” is no longer needed, but you may opt to include a career summary as an introduction. Then, utilize bullets and short paragraphs to break up the page and direct the eye down the page.
It is still a general rule that your resume should fit on one page. You may need to remove some “fluff” in order to do so. As you narrow in on a specific job you want to apply for, you can delete experience that doesn’t apply to that particular job. Do a test print to make sure it fits on one page. If you have more than ten years of experience, overflowing onto a second page is acceptable as long as everything on your resume is pertinent to your application.
Tailoring to a Specific Job
Start with a base resume that you can use on your online networking profiles. Then, once you find a job that you want to apply for, create a resume version specific to that job. Right now you will most likely find opportunities in the essential workforce or remote jobs. Make sure your background and experiences align with the positions you are interested in. Remember, while you may not have experience with that job title, you can highlight the transferable skills on your resume that make you perfect for the job.
Selling Yourself
Condensing your work history and and additional professional information about yourself can be challenging. It’s vital though that you sell yourself to a potential employer. Consider reaching out to past colleagues or friends to describe your strengths and successes. You may be surprised how others perceive you.
The key to selling yourself is to talk about accomplishments rather than responsibilities. If you can quantify those accomplishments, that’s even better. For example, if your work increased sales by 10%, share that information. Use colorful action words when appropriate, but don’t go overboard with the thesaurus.
