Did you make a New Year’s resolution to search for a new job or go for that promotion?
Guess what… you’re not alone.
In fact, a survey commissioned by CSU Global and conducted by OnePoll reveals 56% of people are looking to level up their professional life in 2023.
Wow.
This means you need to stand out as the best candidate and outshine the competition, especially when it comes to your resume.
What can you do to get your resume noticed by recruiters and hiring managers? Since many people also resolve to exercise more, let’s treat it like going to the gym!
Improve Your Resume Using These Drills
It’s time to get your job search in shape and on the right track. Here are seven drills you can follow to work out and improve your resume — and help you land a job interview.
#1: Focus Your Resume
When you train certain muscles, you’re looking to achieve a specific outcome. Your resume must be focused in order to reach your current career goals. If your professional summary talks about being a trained chef with excellent cooking skills, and you’re now applying for roles as an IT consultant, rework those details to center on your capabilities as a candidate for IT jobs.
#2: Make an Impact
You want to create an impact when you work out. Do the same with your resume. Saying you saved the company money two years in a row is great! But how much was it? How did you do it? What was the outcome? Quantify your information and include measurable results. This clearly shows hiring managers what you’ve accomplished. You must include specific achievements to help put you ahead of other applicants.
#3: Tailor It
Just like you tailor your exercises you should customize your resume for every job application. Use the job descriptions to your advantage! Modify your document each time to include specific keywords and phrases that are referenced to demonstrate how your skills and experiences make you the right candidate for the role.
#4: Check for Errors
When you’re working out you don’t want to make mistakes that will hinder your fitness goals. Apply this same idea to your resume. Make sure you review it for any misspellings or grammar errors. It may seem like a minor mistake to you, but if you’re not paying attention to details on your resume, is there a possibility you’ll overlook important information in a job role? Don’t take any chances and make sure you check for typos.
#5: Review Your Contact Details
Can you be called to the front of the gym class? Always include your current contact details on your resume. Add your full name, email, and phone number at the top of each page. It’s unnecessary to list every phone number you have, one is sufficient. Be sure to use a professional-sounding email address. And never use your work email during a job search.
#6: Evaluate the Length
You shouldn’t work out all day, every day (unless, of course, that is your job). You keep things to specific lengths for certain results. The same goes for your resume. As LinkedIn experts say, one page is best for those who are new grads or have up to 10 years of experience. Executive level and other professionals with more experience may require more than one page. Just remember, quality over quantity every time!
#7: Allow Cool-Down Time
You’re almost ready to hit that send button!
Before you do, put your resume aside for a short time. Walking away from it for a bit can help you critique your resume more efficiently. Doing so can also highlight grammatical errors you may have missed or bullet points that need to be strengthened. Better yet, give it to a friend or family member to look over. But only someone you can trust to offer an objective point of view and provide the necessary feedback. And make sure you are ready for their suggestions.
Make It a Routine to Work Out Your Resume
Wouldn’t it be great to go to the gym once and walk out in the best shape of your life?
As we all know, that’s not the way it works. So, what do you do? You put together a routine to follow. Do the same with your resume. Regularly review and adjust your details to keep consistent with your career goals. This also ensures you are ready to send it out on short notice. You never know when an opportunity will come along!
The New Year offers opportunities for fresh beginnings and a determination to make something better. It’s a good time for reflection! Especially about your career.
Now is a great time to give your resume a workout. First, run it through these quick drills to assess its status. Then, make the right changes to align with your current job search. Doing these exercises to freshen up your resume helps to increase your chances of getting noticed – and getting an interview!
