We all know we should rewrite a resume for each job application, but many job seekers still reuse the same one, only slapping on a new job when the occasion arises. You should make sure your resume is up to date, and relevant to the specific position. However, if you are still not going to do that, give your resume a fresher look with these quick tips:
Face Yourself in the Mirror
Don’t lie about your age! Actually, don’t include your age, height, weight, marital status, social insurance number, or other personal information at all. What we mean is that everything in your resume should be clear and accurate, with no chance of misleading a potential employer.
Exfoliate
Once you have some professional work experience, slough off the old stuff. Do you still include every position you have ever held (eg. High School Hallway Monitor, Neighbourhood Dog Walker) though they have little to do with your intended career? Are you listing too many personal traits (does anyone not list “motivated” and “responsible” as qualities?) or unusual hobbies? These are not only unlikely to help you get the job, but will also make it harder for you to keep your resume at one to two pages.
Add Some Highlights
Make your best features stand out: bring your most relevant skills and experience to the top. Also, consider adding links to your social media profiles (eg. Linkedin, Twitter). Your potential employers likely search for your name online, so why not use this opportunity to present more sides to your professional face? If nothing else, this may lower their chances of confusing you with that similarly named person who posts too many drunken photos of him- or herself on the Internet.
Let the Experts Take a Look
Before you send that resume out into the career world – especially if you intend to use it for a dozen other job openings – ask a knowledgeable friend or, better yet, a career advisor to check it for unsightly problems. You probably know that spell checkers are unable two catch all possible mistake, especially if their grammatical or logical errors. Don’t forget: Sprott Shaw’s career advisors are always here to help!
Last… and least
Do you put the stress on the first or last syllable of “resume”? Find out which is the more common way to pronounce the word where you live/work, and go with it. It will save you a few strange stares, and no one needs to feel more self-conscious at an interview.
