As the job market and jobs themselves are evolving, it’s important to remember that resumes evolve along with them.
While the resume has always played an important role, there are also new trends to which we must pay attention.
If you want to write a resume that will help you stand out, then incorporate these tips.
The most important thing to remember in writing your resume is that this is the time of showing, not telling.
1. Social Resumes
If you are serious about landing a job now, then you’ll have to realize that resumes are no longer static pieces of paper.
One of the most important changes recently is the sociability of resumes. Resumes are becoming living entities online. Social media means that the type of communication between hiring managers and prospective employees has also changed — it’s closer and more direct.
Prospective employees have the opportunity to interact with, and sometimes befriend, hiring managers before applying for a position. Companies are increasingly likely to use social networks, and your social media accounts are now the true first impression.
2. Twitter
The popularity of Twitter keeps growing astronomically. The good news is that you are probably already on it. Job seekers can harness the power of a tweet by explaining why they are an excellent candidate in 140 characters or less.
Fortunately, you have 160 characters to describe yourself in your Twitter biography. Your Twitter biography section is the online version of your elevator pitch. If you find the task of condensing your qualifications daunting, then you just have to view this as an opportunity.
It is your opportunity to figure out what really makes you different. Brands refer to this as their Unique Selling Proposition (USP).
Twitter is your chance to figure out your USP and develop your personal brand. Once you’ve hooked your prospective employee with your amazing biography, then you need to link your website, resume or other professional networking site, i.e. LinkedIn.
3. QR Codes
If you are applying for a technology related position, then QR codes might help you stand out. A QR code is that small, square, barcode-looking image that you’ve probably seen in publications, advertising and some product packaging.
It shows that are aware of technology trends and that you know how to use them too.
It’s not mandatory, of course, but it can be a good way to add some coolness factor to your resume and make it stand out from the crowd.
Some tips for using QR codes on your resume:
- Take into consideration the type of position and the “audience.” QR codes will be more accepted by marketing-oriented employers.
- Include your website’s URL in addition to the QR code.
- Make sure that the website to which your QR code goes is fully accessible and mobile-friendly.
4. Infographics
A picture is worth 1000 words. Infographics are popping up everywhere online and on print. Candidates most likely applying for visual or creative positions can use the popularity of infographics to highlight their qualifications and skills.
Since infographic resumes do not cover in-depth details (they tend to be more simplistic than the standard resume), job seekers can use them to supplement their resume.
In some cases, an infographic resume could catch the employer’s attention, but probably they will never replace the traditional text CV.
5. Other useful tips
- Resumes should always be targeted, specific and quantifiable. Make sure that your resume is not only tailored to the position that you are applying to, but it should also be tailored to the company that you are applying to.
- Get specific. Numbers, figures and percentages show what you can do. Quantifying your experience, where possible, also makes you appear more professional.
- References available now. Show managers what others have to say about you by pulling your strongest third-party testimonials and put them at the very top of your resume. The easiest place to find testimonials is from LinkedIn recommendations.
- One or two page resumes? Depends. If you are making a resume that is tailored to that specific job description and company, then hiring managers can overlook the length.
- Edit your resume when possible. Hiring managers are busy and have limited time.
- Make sure that your resume is readable on several devices. Try reading it on a phone or tablet because it’s quite possible it will be reviewed on a mobile device. Readability with bullets, bold fonts and short paragraphs matter more than resume length.
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Was there anything we missed? What do you have to add? Include your tips for writing a better resume in our comments below.
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