QUESTION: I realize resumes have changed over time, is there a new way of writing resumes in 2019 and beyond?
Kelly Donovan, Kelly Donovan & Associates
Attention spans are getting shorter every day, so it’s essential that your resume caters to short attention spans. That doesn’t necessarily mean you should cram a 20-year career onto a one-page resume, but it does mean that your writing must be concise and your formatting must make it inviting and reader-friendly. Short paragraphs, bullets, and simple but modern design elements work well.Angela Watts, MyPro Resumes
Resume best practices are continually evolving and it can be challenging to keep up (even for those who work in this field). Partnering with a professional Resume Writer is your best chance to keep pace with career market trends. For 2019, a resume should be concise, limited to your most recent and relevant roles, ATS-friendly, visually appealing (formatting, design) and aligned to targeted roles.Laura Smith-Proulx, An Expert Resume
Yes! Attention spans are shorter than ever, so you’ll need to make your point fast. Your profile summary is now more concise and can be topped with a branding statement, such as “COO Delivering Turnarounds in PE-Backed Environments.” Add a chart that represents measurable career wins, particularly if you’re in an innovative field. Use color to help achievements or notable job titles stand out.Wendi Weiner, Esq., The Writing Guru
Resumes have become focused more on your personal brand rather than just being a laundry list of your roles, skills, and job titles. Today, employers are also looking at you from a digital perspective, so your resume and LinkedIn profile need to hinge on having a unified brand marketing piece. The structure of a resume today is also focused on results and achievements rather than job functions.Meg Applegate, Hinge Resume Collaborative
The most common mistake that dates a resume is having an objective statement. Instead of describing what YOU want, discern how you are the solution to a company’s problem. It’s not about you, It’s about them! Replace your objective with a branding statement showcasing how your unique abilities and attributes can add value and deliver results for a company.Julia Holian, Julia Holian & Associates
Resumes need to be written with the three assumptions: 1) Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) rank resumes based on key word matches, 2) recruiters look at resumes based on the highest rankings, and 3) recruiters and hiring managers don’t read resumes, they scan for what they want to see. Therefore, brand yourself in the first half of your resume’s first page with words and phrases that stand out.Robin Schlinger, Robin's Resumes
I have seen resumes change since I started writing them in 2001 to tighter writing focused on the skills listed in job announcements. However, throughout that time, one thing has never changed, which is focusing on your accomplishments and what you have to offer the hiring manager or company. You need to find out what the hiring manager wants, and follow their rules to successfully get the job.Rashauna Arnold, BrandYou Career Coaching, LLC
Think of the new resume as an achievement-based snapshot of your career. Recruiters are short on time so dive into results right way, using bulleted, action statements that show your value to a company. Quantify your experience when possible and use bold or color to highlight key accomplishments. Avoid long descriptions and focus on the last 10 years of work. Simplicity and relevancy are key!Paula Christensen, Strategic Career Coaches
Yes! Consider differentiating from other candidates and elevating your document by adding color, charts/graphs, and other graphic elements. Be forward-thinking, emphasizing how you can help the employer solve their problems. Personal branding and keywords are a vital component of modern resumes. Your resume should be keyword optimized to pass through a company’s applicant tracking software.Cheryl Milmoe, Cardinal Expert Resumes
Yes and less is more! Hiring managers & recruiters are reading resumes on their phones while commuting or over lunch. They can build a talent pool with a keyword search before they get to the office. Once they have their candidates it’s the resumes with crisp, clear, concise accomplishment statements that separates them from their competition. All that’s left is the email to set up the interview.Ask a Question
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