Discover eight resume transformations that will improve your prospects for a job in the New Year. These tips, which include updating your email address, quantifying your achievements, and simplifying bullets, will help you to avoid common mistakes on resumes and to present a polished and professional image to prospective employers.
Many people make a resolution to lose weight for the New Year. But you don’t have to give up ice cream, tacos or tacos to achieve this. You can simply vow to eliminate resume mistakes.
You can improve your job search chances by eliminating the following eight “resume-resolutions”.
1. My resume will not have three levels of bullets.
As you can tell by reading this sentence, bullet points within other bullet points will exhaust your reader. You should streamline your resume for the best results.
This is not only easier for humans to understand, but also easier for Applicant-Tracking Systems (ATS).
If your resume doesn’t pass the digital gatekeeper, it may never be seen by a human.
Don’t do this:
- Lead a large project to implement a HR software system.
- Supervised a team consisting of three individuals.
- The team was trained on the use of AI to streamline workflow.
- The company saved 20 hours per week of overtime.
- Launched project in collaboration with internal communication and tech teams.
- Worked with three leaders in different departments to create consistent internal communication.
- Project teaches entire company new skills
- Implementing a new software system for HR, which reduced overtime by 40%, slashed overtime hours per week to 20.
- I worked with three departments in creating training materials and leading educational sessions for over 100 colleagues, which resulted in a productivity increase of 12%.
2. I won’t copy and paste the job description.
Stop copying. Your job description should be a list. Your resume should highlight your achievements.
Focus on your accomplishments instead of your duties. Show how you achieved measurable results.
- Planning, coordination, and direction of administrative functions.
- Oversee the recruitment and hiring of new employees.
- Consult with top executives about strategic planning, and act as a liaison between the management of an organization and its employees.
Try this alternative:
- Create a digital orientation centre for new employees to reduce onboarding by 20%.
- Savings of 20 hours per week through the development of an AI-assisted interview workflow for the first round.
- Collaboration with executives on a three-point system of communication that makes it easier for staff to exchange ideas and feedback.
3. By omitting numbers, I won’t force my readers to guess.
Quantify your success. Include metrics such as how much your profits increased, costs were reduced, or you improved efficiency.
Do not make them try to figure it out. Don’t make them guess.
Don’t do this:
- Created Slack post for internal employee communication
Try this alternative:
- Employee engagement increased by 15% after creating a weekly newsletter for employees and writing copy to be distributed daily via Slack.
4. I will not use my goofy personal email address ‘skibunny818@hotmail.com.’
Your email conveys your professional identity. While you may be a great skier, it’s unlikely that your HR application will require this skill.
You should send a professional and serious email to recruiters if you want them to consider you a professional.
Try this alternative:
- jane.smith@gmail.com
- johndoe@johndoe.com
If you already have a name, add an initial or number.
5. Hotmail will not be my email service provider.
It’s time to ditch Hotmail. This can be interpreted as a sign that you don’t keep up with technology and may lead to age discrimination.
A more modern option is to use Gmail, or an email that’s connected to your own website.
6. I will not use a graphic, cutesy elements, or a picture on my resume.
In terms of resume design, substance is more important than style. Graphics can be difficult for ATS software to read and distracting to humans.
What’s the latest Canva resume? Wasting time.
All graphics, including headshots, personal logos, decorative lines and other graphics, are out. These graphics will detract rather than enhance your application.
7. My resume will not be longer than three pages.
The TikTok and YouTube era is here. Everything faster, everything now. The people want information in bite-sized pieces.
Recruiters do not make an exception. Skip the three-course meal of resumes and serve a starter that will entice the recruiter into the next step – the interview.
8. I will not include I in my resume.
You’ve probably been to parties where someone sat next to you and said “I, I I” or “me me me me”. Don’t be this person by not using that language on your resume.
They don’t care to read about your life. They’re looking to quickly evaluate your abilities and your achievements in order to decide if you can help them.
You are not the focus of this article. It is about your reader.
Don’t do this:
- Implementing a new software for employee tracking saved my company $500,000.
- The company saved $500,000.
You’re more likely to land a new job in 2019 if you eliminate the eight mistakes listed above. I wish you luck as you work on your 2024 career resolutions.
Marc Cenedella, a nationally recognized career expert, is an expert in resume writing, job searching, career management, recruitment, and the impact of AI on the career world. He is the founder of Leet Resumes, an AI-based resume-writing service. Ladders is a career site that focuses on six-figure-jobs ).
FAQ
What should I eliminate from my CV?
Remove excessive bullet points, obsolete job descriptions, irrelevant emails, and unnecessary graphics. Streamline content to highlight skills and achievements.
How can I make sure my resume stands out for both human and ATS reviewers?
Use a simple bullet-point structure, quantify your achievements, and use a professional email. Avoid complex designs, which can confuse applicant tracking systems and distract the reader.
Why should I avoid using personal email addresses like ‘skibunny818@hotmail.com’?
Professional email addresses show your professionalism and seriousness. Emails that are outdated or quirky can undermine your credibility and relevance.
How long should a resume be?
Ideal is a concise resume of one or two pages. In the fast-paced modern world, recruiters are looking for information that is digestible and impactful. Shorter resumes are more effective.
What are the benefits of upgrading my email service?
Use of a current email service like Gmail, or your own personal email brand, shows that you are up to date with technology. This can help counter age discrimination.
Read more :How to rise above the crowds in a crowded marketplace,How to get a job by 2024 with four simple steps