With competition for top roles at an all-time high, the most effective job search tips focus on immediate impact. This is crucial since your resume has roughly six seconds to make an impression on a recruiter.
To stand out, you need to understand how to update your resume into a strategic marketing document that communicates your personal brand and value.
Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out, these resume tips will help you navigate modern hiring hurdles like Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and short attention spans.
15 Things to Put on a Resume
Crafting a standout document requires a mix of strategic content and smart formatting. Here are fifteen resume tips to help you secure more interviews:
- Tailor Your Resume with Job Description Keywords: Carefully study job postings to find keywords related to skills and qualifications. Including these specific terms is one of the most effective job search strategies to pass through initial screenings.
- Use Achievement-Focused Bullet Points with Numbers: Instead of listing duties, focus on results. Use facts and figures, such as percentages or dollar amounts, to quantify your impact.
- Keep It Concise (One Page Preferred): Prioritize your most relevant experience. While two pages may be acceptable for extensive careers, a one-page resume format is often preferred to keep the reader focused on your best qualifications.
- Design for ATS Compatibility: Use an ATS-friendly resume layout. This means avoiding complex graphics, tables, or text boxes that can confuse the software.
- Ditch the Objective Statement: Replacing an outdated objective with a professional summary highlights what you bring to the table rather than what you want from the employer.
- Use Strong Action Verbs: Start every bullet point with a compelling action verb like "Developed," "Managed," or "Increased" to show initiative.
- Front-Load Your Best Information: Put your most impressive qualifications in the top third of the document. This strategy guarantees that the most impactful things to put on a resume are the very first details a recruiter sees.
- Include Only Relevant Information: Do not feel obligated to include every job you’ve ever had. Expert job search tips suggest focusing on the last 10-15 years of experience that directly relates to the role you want.
- Create Multiple Versions for Different Jobs: Never use a generic document. Creating tailored versions for different roles is one of the smartest job search strategies you can employ.
- Make Your Resume Easy to Skim: Use clean fonts like Arial or Helvetica and leave plenty of white space. When you are deciding on the best things to put on a resume, remember that readability is key when recruiters have limited time.
- Show Skills Throughout: Don’t just list skills for your resume in a separate section; demonstrate how you used them within your work history bullet points.
- Include Non-Traditional Work When Relevant: Volunteering, freelancing, or contract work are valid things to put on a resume if they demonstrate relevant expertise.
- Keep Education Simple: Unless you are a recent graduate, keep your education section brief, listing only the school, degree, and graduation year.
- Proofread Multiple Times: Spelling errors can be an immediate disqualifier. Get "fresh eyes" on your document by asking a friend to review it.
- Name Your File Professionally: Use your first and last name followed by "Resume" (e.g., JaneDoe_Resume.pdf) so employers can easily locate it.
Beyond the Basics: Bonus Resume Tips
Beyond the core content, these small details can significantly influence your success.
Use reverse chronological order, listing your most recent experience first, as this is the standard resume format most recruiters expect.
When it comes to job references, one of the most practical resume tips is to remove the phrase "References available upon request" since this is generally assumed by hiring managers.
Furthermore, it’s wise to include links to your professional LinkedIn profile or portfolio, but avoid hyperlinking over key keywords to ensure the ATS-friendly resume remains parseable.
When deciding on the right things to put on a resume, you should avoid mentioning any interests or activities that could be considered controversial, such as politics or religion.
Finally, one of the most proactive job search tips is to update your resume quarterly. Even if you aren't currently looking, you will be ready the moment an unexpected opportunity arises.
Top 15 Common Job Search Strategies to Avoid
Even with great resume advice, small errors can hold you back. Avoid these common pitfalls:
- Using an unprofessional email address.
- Including an outdated objective statement.
- Listing unrelated or outdated work experience.
- Providing too few details about your achievements.
- Including a job reference list on the actual resume.
- Listing irrelevant or generic soft skills.
- Sending a generic resume to every employer.
- Leaving outdated contact information on the header.
- Describing only your duties rather than your results.
- Glaring spelling or grammar mistakes.
- Poor formatting that makes the text hard to read.
- Creating a document that is too long or cluttered.
- Including a photo of yourself (unless you're in acting/modeling).
- Including controversial personal interests.
- Mislabeling the final file name.
Job Search Tips Beyond the Resume
Sending a winning resume is just one of your job search strategies. If you are job searching with a resume gap, use your summary or experience section to highlight any skills you gained during that time through volunteering or personal projects.
Once you apply, don't forget to follow up after submitting your resume to show continued interest. Lastly, while navigating various job boards, prioritize staying safe online by only applying through reputable sites and protecting your personal data.
Master Your Job Search Strategies with Nesco Resource
Navigating the modern job market can be overwhelming, but you don't have to do it alone. Nesco Resource specializes in matching talented job seekers with companies that value their skills.
By applying the job search strategies and resume tips found here, you are already ahead of the competition. Let us help you take the next step in your career with personalized job-hunting tips and access to exclusive opportunities.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top 5 resume mistakes?
Even when utilizing the best resume tips, many candidates still fall into common traps. According to career experts, the five most frequent errors are:
- Typos and Grammatical Errors: These suggest a lack of attention to detail.
- Focusing on Duties Over Accomplishments: Recruiters want to see the value you added, not just a list of tasks.
- Using a Generic Resume: Failing to tailor your document to the specific job description makes it harder to pass an ATS.
- Poor Formatting: A cluttered or overly complex design can make your resume unreadable for both humans and computers.
- Irrelevant Information: Including hobbies or jobs from 20 years ago that don't apply to the current role distracts from your core qualifications.