As we enter into 2021 and as we all continue to grapple with the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and temporary furloughs become permanent layoffs, there’s a significant increase in talent entering the job search market, some for the first time in a long time. Now more than ever, a sharply written resume is essential to stand out in a dynamic, adept applicant pool. What better time to invest in a new and improved resume? Whether you invest in a professional resume writer, like me, to assist you in this endeavor or you elect to tackle it yourself, here are a few things to consider as you refresh your resume and other professional marketing resources.

Branch Out

New job roles are emerging as companies adapt to a changed landscape. As these positions are being developed (many for the first time!), any candidate that has experience or the core skills necessary for success in the role should feel confident in applying. Many core tenants of business – professionalism, work ethic, customer service, project management, process improvement, and team leadership skills to name a few –  are transferable across verticals and can be applied to new opportunities. Don’t disqualify yourself before anyone else does!

Resumes should not be “one size fits all.”

No two job opportunities are the same so you should be prepared to put the time and effort into tailoring your resume(s) to highlight your relevant experience, whether that means large content and formatting changes, or small tweaks here and there depends on the diversity of roles you are applying for. Either way, preparing different versions of your resume will help you highlight the experience that is most relevant to the role in which you’re applying. Start by tackling the version of your resume that you’ll use most, and then create additional versions for different industries or job descriptions.

Follow the Goldilocks strategy.

A resume is a teaser to entice an interview. Composed of career highlights and tangible results about how you created meaningful impact for clients and companies, it should not be a detailed checklist of every role and task you have helped with and managed throughout the entirety of your career. A general rule of thumb is to include work history from the previous decade – with a maximum of 15 years in the past. A critical look from an editor’s eye, or a Professional Resume Writer’s, to identify experience that will most resonate with hiring managers can elevate a resume to help it stand out from the crowd.  Not too much, not too little…you want the contents to be just right.

Invest in yourself and your career.

The most common feedback I hear when speaking with people about what I do is, “I didn’t know professional resume writing was a thing!” Well, it is and for good reason. Many professionals have a hard time “bragging” about themselves or knowing what to include, or not include for that matter, in a resume, let alone how to tackle any challenging areas of their careers. And don’t even get me started on formatting and design strategies…we would be here for a while. Experienced perspective helps ensure the best chance possible for a resume to elicit a call back or interview. If cost is a concern then consider asking for a resume tune-up which is less extensive but still invaluable, or a comprehensive critique of your resume in which you’ll be provided a roadmap to follow when you apply the targeted recommendations on your own. Professional resume writers are a worthwhile investment for anyone on the job hunt. We can not only assist you with creating new career documents (resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profile, etc.) but the creation process of those documents can also assist you in preparing for interviews.

Professional resume writers, like myself, and others affiliated with Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PARW/CC) have the backing, support, and resources of the membership of PARW/CC and other members via LinkedIn Groups. We have the resources to be YOUR resource. For more information about how I can assist you in creating new career documents, go to my contact page or email me directly at info@resumeresultsonline.com.