New, now, next. That is the advice talent agents give broadcasters about what to showcase on the nightly news. People are always looking for the most up-to-date information and your resume should be no different. When was the last time you looked at it, let alone revamped it? Here is a look at the latest trends of 2021 that you should implement into your document, and a few you should avoid.
#1 – Professional Resume Services
Using professional resume services is becoming more and more common these days. With employers using screening software to grade resumes, job seekers are feeling more pressure than ever to write a resume that both works for robots as well as actual recruiters. By hiring a resume service, they’ll be able to get the leg up on their competition by having a professional resume writer who’s in the know, write their for them.
Investing in a resume service can be costly though. With prices often around $200 – $300, it’s important to do research to find the best resume services for you. A quality service can unlock your full potential as a candidate and secure you more job offers. On the other hand, going with a resume mill (there are many out there), can not only waste you money, but also cost you job opportunities that could potentially change the entire projector of your career.
#2 – Resume Title
This is a quick easy way to grab an employer’s attention. You want to keep your resume title short and sweet, while giving some insight into your experience and what you can bring to the table. Just like you are more inclined to click on a link or pick up a book, you need to leave them wanting more after reading it.
Emmy Award Winning Broadcaster who has served as a liaison for the company and community non-profits for 15+ years
Experienced Procurement Specialist with proven savings of 60-65% through strategic negotiations
Empathetic storyteller who uses her Masters in Counseling and own personal experiences to inspire and educate the public on the importance of maintaining your mental health
Methodical Forensic Specialist who independently investigates approximately 300 deaths yearly
#3 – Remote Skills
COVID has brought some big changes to our work landscape and how businesses are run, with remote work becoming the new normal for many. While the pandemic is coming to an end, remote skills are as important as ever still, and you’ll want to take the time to call to attention your aptitude to adapt. What programs and platforms are you now familiar with that allow you to work from home? What capabilities do you have in your home office that would make your transition into a new job quicker? How have you been interfacing with clients and troubleshooting when issues arise (now that engineering and technical support are not readily available)? How has your productivity improved with less distraction and commute time?
#4 – Soft Skills
A soft skill is considered an attribute that can’t necessarily be taught, but you inherently have. In other words, soft skills are personal traits that make you better equipped to perform certain jobs and allow you to interact well with others, whether that be coworkers or clients. This includes problem solving, teamwork abilities, communication skills and work ethic. LinkedIn found that the top 5 soft skills employers are looking for in recent years are creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptability and emotional intelligence (your ability to perceive others feelings and act in accordance. i.e. working well with others). So how do you showcase these talents on paper? Here are a few examples of how to demonstrate these qualifications:
Developed cost saving procedures, in turn lowering supply costs by 60-65% within the past two years and continually identifying areas of cost avoidance to establish future savings
Conducted presentations detailing the responsibilities of the Medical Examiner’s Office and showcasing autopsy methods in order to educate industry partners including law enforcement cadets and medical students looking to work in this field.
Maintains an extensive knowledge of the ever changing oil, gas and grain business landscapes and oversees marketing and public relations efforts including networking lunches and entertainment meetings with prospective and current clients to build client trust and bolster revenue
Cultivates valuable relationships with vendors and provides an exceptional customer experience to establish longstanding partnerships between the company and these vital corporations
Oversaw the training of department hires and developed an in-depth onboarding manual to ease the transition of employees into their new roles
#5 – Introduction Paragraph for Work Experiences
If you have ever looked for a job, you know that just typing in the phrase ‘Communication Specialist’ leads you to thousands of opportunities at companies that you may or may not have heard of, which then leads to a lot of research on your end, all before you even start to apply. This is the same issue that hiring managers deal with while determining if your experience makes you the right fit for the job. This is why adding a short introduction paragraph before your bullet points to each position you have held can be helpful to recruiters. Giving them a quick glance at what the company does and what role you played within that establishment can help save them time and provide them a better look at your abilities.
#6 – Keyword Stuffing
This is a great way to lose a job fast. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are used to help companies narrow down applicants to a small collection of the most qualified candidates. They search for specific keywords that apply to the job at hand and resumes that contain these choice phrases normally get moved into this pool of potential hires. However, while stuffing your resume with keywords helps you clear the ATS hurdle, once your resume lands on the recruiters desk, it will be clear that much of your wording is out of context and you can be seen as deceitful.
#7 – Less is More
We have all heard the phrase and when it comes to building your resume, make sure to take it to heart. Just as we discussed above, ATS is used to read your resume and filter out candidates that are not quite up to par, but no system is perfect and if you choose to be creative with your resume, it could actually cost you the job.
If your resume is going directly to the hiring manager’s email or into their hand, then feel free to get creative and showcase your personality, but if you are applying on a company site or ATS, like Workday, it’s best to keep it simple. Infographics like charts, bar graphs or timelines look great in person, but ATS cannot read this information, which means it will not be considered when you apply. Issues can also arise when your formatting includes columns or creative fonts.