Resume Refresh
Happy Spring!
This is a season that often brings with it a dash of excitement and curiosity, and as well, it can also bring an unsettling mix of restlessness and impatience. The idea of new growth, change, and taking a few risks may no longer feel as scary, but instead feels optimistic, forward-thinking, and energized.
You become clear. Now, is the time for a change.
Maybe this season of March renewal will wake you up and jump start the inevitable transition you need to take toward a NEW JOB or a NEW CAREER change altogether?
After all, DEAD END jobs lead you in only one direction -- a DEAD END.
Do any of these feelings ring true for you?
Current job feels lifeless and is a dead end – going nowhere fast
Limited opportunities for leadership development or upward mobility
Bare minimum salary even while working extra hours
Your skills are underutilized
The true value you bring is not being recognized
You are on the wrong seat on the bus
You’re experiencing high levels of workplace stress & burnout
If this sounds like you,
It's time to get RELENTLESS about your job search.
Make today the day you begin your own laser-focused career transition.
Scour LinkedIn (or Indeed or other job-related platforms)
Figure out who is hiring and which workplace sectors are booming
Sharpen your story -- What's next, professionally, and why? What skills & values will you bring?
Network like crazy
Get future-focused. See yourself in that new job or career
Enlist a Career Coach to help you develop a game plan and keep you on track and moving forward
And, REFRESH that RESUME.
A well-written, industry-specific, eye-catching resume will get yours to the top of the HR pile, and absolutely increase the likelihood of engagement with those on the hiring team
Below I’ve listed some highlights & best practices from a LinkedIn webinar I recently attended, 2024 Resume Trends. It’s what’s trending now when it comes to writing your resume:
GENERAL RULES OF THUMB
Ample white space
Bullet points up to 4-5 per job responsibility and try to keep them on one line
NEW: Use San Serif fonts – No more Times New Roman
Post your resume on LinkedIn -- it's where businesses go first to see if you are legitimately playing in the professional space
INTRO/ TIPS AND TRICKS
NEW: Start with a headline (boldly state WHO you are) vs. using a profile statement
EX: Training, Development & Learning Professional
Business Development Executive: Technology & Telecommunications
GIS Specialist / GIS Data Technician / Mapmaker
Lead Environmental Scientist & Green Analyst
Unorthodox Creative Director & Detailed Event Planner
NEW: Next, create a secondary statement that shares HOW you will do what you are (a branding statement vs objective)
EX: Revenue Growth Driver / Fortune 500 & SMB Relationship Builder
Merging the Art of Map-making with the Science of Data Management to Create Solutions
NEW: Less is more. Use “sizzle” to grab the attention – phrases are good. Start each phrase with an action verb (Grew, Initiated, Led, Collaborated, Developed, Communicated, etc.)
EXPERIENCE SECTION/ TIPS & TRICKS
Start with your WOW factor – biggest accomplishments first
Start with the results (the #’s) first, followed with the how or what
EX: Generated $10M+ recurring revenue to elevate to one of fastest growing firms
Averaged 134% of annual sales goal for Whiz Business Services
Rose to #1 sales representative in region, #7 nationwide
A few shaded boxes can grab readers' attention
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.