Amanda Clark
As with many things in life, resumes have evolved over the years. The formatting, content, and style have all gone through changes. If it’s been a few years since you’ve updated your resume, there’s a good chance that it could have dated features. For instance, hardly anyone uses AOL anymore, so it’s a good idea to set up an email account through a platform like Gmail, even if you only use it for job searching. Fax numbers and landlines? They’ve also gone by the wayside. More people are putting cell phone numbers on their resume because it’s the easiest way to get a hold of them and they know they’re typically the only one answering their phone.
So what are some other changes to bring your resume up to date?
LinkedIn Link: Hiring managers are more frequently turning to online resources to learn more about potential candidates. Don’t be surprised if they’re Googling your name to see what comes up. Providing a link to your LinkedIn profile shows that you have at least some online presence, and allows you to add more diverse elements to your resume. There are options to upload files, get endorsements from colleagues, and show more depth to who you are. Make sure you that your social media – be it LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter – is professional and reflects you in a positive light.
Online portfolio: You could take things a step further and create an entire online portfolio. There are platforms that make it very easy to create and maintain your own website. Not only can you upload a digital copy of your resume, you can also add examples of your work, links to articles, pictures, and more. You could also consider starting a blog, so long as it stays professional and provides meaningful content. If you run a personal blog, you may not want to link that to your site.
Formatting: Long gone are the days of typewriters. Microsoft Word offers many formatting options, so take advantage of them. Include horizontal lines, strategic bolding, and a font that reads well. You don’t have to stick with Times New Roman, but avoid fonts that are too fancy or difficult to read. Formatting can give your resume a little personality and enhance its appeal.
Branding statement and summary: Skip the objective and start off strong by giving employers a solid first impression of who you are and what you have to offer. Employers aren’t as concerned about what you’re looking for as much as they want to know what you can do. Dig in and highlight your strongest abilities from the start. Recruiters only spend a few seconds getting their first impression, so make it count.
Your resume shouldn’t be drab and archaic. There are plenty of ways to spice it up and make it more current without sacrificing professionalism.
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