As the country continues to grapple with the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and temporary furloughs become permanent layoffs, there’s a significant increase in talent entering the job search market for the first time or the first time in a long time. Now more than ever, a sharply written resume is essential to stand out in a dynamic, adept applicant pool.
September is International Update Your Resume Month. I’ll share the common misconceptions candidates make when tackling a resume refresh:
MYTH 1: You should only apply to opportunities that align with your most recent industry or job title. New job roles are emerging as companies adapt to a changed landscape. As these positions are being developed (many for the first time!), any candidate that has experience or the core skills necessary for success in the role should feel confidence in applying. Many core tenants of business - professionalism, work ethic and management skills to name a few - are transferable across verticals and can be applied to new opportunities. Don’t disqualify yourself before anyone else does.
MYTH 2: Your resume is one size fits all. No two job opportunities are the same. Preparing different versions of your resume will help you highlight the experience that is most relevant to the role in which you’re applying. Start by tackling the version of your resume that you’ll use most, and then create additional versions for different industries or job descriptions. Tailoring your resumes to expertly frame your relevant experience in the up front will streamline the application process.
MYTH 3: Your entire professional experience should be featured on your resume. A resume is a teaser to entice an interview. Composed of career highlights and tangible results that created meaningful impact for clients, a general rule of thumb is to include work history from the previous decade - with a maximum of 15 years in the past. A critical look from an editor’s eye to identify experience that will most resonate with hiring managers will elevate a resume to help it stand out from the crowd.
MYTH 4: You’re solely responsible for the development of your resume. A dynamic and productive resume is never created in a silo. Professional and accredited resume writers are a worthwhile and affordable investment for anyone on the job hunt. Experienced perspective helps ensure the best chance possible for a resume to elicit a call back or interview.
I hope this gives you confidence to tackle updating your resume. If you can’t seem to get started, I can help. Drop me a note here. Don’t stay stuck. We can do this together.