Resume Writing Tips: Small Changes that Make a Big Impact
Changes to layout, strong wording, and keyword optimization can make a resume easier to scan for HR.
Resume writing can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be!
Resume writing can seem like a daunting task. It’s a slippery slope – it’s easy to get carried away with adding too much detail or, worse, irrelevant information. But it doesn’t have to be! In fact, keeping it simple can be effective! In this post, we’re covering some simple changes you can make to your current resume that will make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read, see, and understand your qualifications.
There are many steps to searching for a job, but your resume is probably the most important element of your job search journey. It’s how you throw your hat in the ring and it’s the first glance employers get of your professional background.
Which is why so many people have a hard time with it! They get into their head, over analyze everything they write, write too much, write too little, add way too many tables and other formatting to make it pretty, etc.
There are small changes that anyone can make to their resume to improve its appearance and readability. Before I jump in, keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of all of the important elements of a good resume. It is a basic guideline of what to keep in mind so you don’t get in your head and get carried away.
Resume Layout
The traditional way of listing work experience on a resume is to start with the company name, then the position title and dates of employment (or dates of employment and then position title). And there is nothing wrong with this method, particularly if you’ve worked for a well-known company whose name you want prominently displayed.
But a downside of this method is that it highlights the company name rather than your position, and what recruiters are usually looking for are the roles you’ve had previously. So, to make it easier for them to see your job history, a simple swap of putting the position title first, then the company name can make a big difference!
Just as the recruiter and hiring manager need to be able to find your past job titles easily, they need to be able to read your resume (or, rather, skim it) easily. You do not need to (and should not) cram every last centimeter with words, tables, and graphs. White space is a good thing as it gives their eyes a break and makes it easier to see the most valuable information. And, the more simple the formatting, the easier and more accurately the information is uploaded to the company’s ATS (Applicant Tracking System), which means less edits for you!
Resume Content
I’ve heard good resume writers say that keeping it simple is best…and I agree! So, what does that mean?
It doesn’t mean leaving out important information, but it does mean that the information should flow. Edit down the job responsibilities to those that made the biggest impact to the organization and are the most relevant to the job you are applying for. People mistake a resume for a long list of every task they ever performed. This isn’t the case. Every job has those types of tasks, but what an employer needs to know is:
What was the purpose of your role?
How did you make an impact in that role?
The skills and experiences you possess that match what was in the job posting should be easily found. Find the best way to explain what you did and how it benefited the company without being too wordy.
To recap, this is not an exhaustive list of what you can and should do to write a good resume. But, these are some simple yet noticeable changes that can make your experience and qualifications stand out to recruiters and hiring managers!
For more help with your job search, order my Resume Writing Guide for Moms or schedule a career development session with me today!