New Year, New Resume!

As 2015 is quickly coming to a close, the thoughts of many turn to what lies ahead in the New Year. If getting a new job is part of your plan for 2016, now is the time to start thinking about revamping your resume. Getting noticed in today’s job market requires an amazing resume. Use this infographic to figure out where your resume might be lacking, then read on for details and tips for creating a new resume that rocks.

Keep it Concise

For many job seekers, updating a resume means adding new work experience and accomplishments. Obviously it’s important to show off the most recent and relevant information, but it’s equally important to pare down data that is old and no longer relevant.

A resume that is too long and wordy simply isn’t effective in today’s job market. While you may feel nostalgia and pride when looking back at your first job, most employers are only interested in the last ten to fifteen years of relevant work history.

By all means, you should keep a “master resume” that documents all of your work experience and accomplishments, but when generating a current resume for your job search, pare it down a bit and include only relevant details.

Revise Your Title

Your resume’s title should be relevant to the type of position you are seeking. If your resume includes an objective statement, get rid of it. They are no longer considered a standard resume component because they speak only of your personal goals and not of your potential value to the company.

When thinking of a title, consider your personal strengths and desired position to come up with something that is concise and consistent with your current goals and experience.

Write a Compelling Summary

Like the first few lines of a novel, your summary should grab the reader’s attention and keep it. Rather than simply listing your talents and achievements, create a picture of who you are. Think of your summary as a very short story in which you are the hero.

When updating your resume for the New Year, make sure your summary is still relevant to your updated experience and accomplishments.

Consider “Curb Appeal”

Always remember that your resume is a visual document. Before your potential new boss reads anything about you, he or she will begin to form an impression of you based solely on the appearance of your resume.

Make sure your resume is properly organized and symmetrical. A good resume uses simple fonts and is easy to read.

In addition to making sure your resume’s content is presented in an aesthetically appealing way, you need to consider the paper it is printed on. Resumes should never be printed on regular copy paper. To put your best foot forward, have your resume professionally printed on high-quality stock. Having your resume professionally printed rather than simply printing it from your home inkjet is a simple step that will set you apart from fellow applications.

If you’re hoping that the New Year brings a new job, let The Print Connection help! We can professionally print your resume on top-quality paper that will get you noticed for all the right reasons. To learn more, please call 303-779-1420.