Is your resume current and up to date? Chances are that if you can’t remember the last time you made any changes to your resume, that it may be time to make some updates or event start from scratch in order to present your best possible self. Your resume is the first thing a hiring manager sees and it’s the best way to market yourself too. Follow these simple steps so that your resume stands out and will not be filed away, never to be viewed again.

Keep it clean

Your resume should be easy to read. This means, do not use an elaborate font or a bold color. Times New Roman or another standard text font are suitable for a “clean” looking document. You can add small embellishments such as italics or bold fonts to your resume, however do this very minimally as to not overwhelm the reader.

Include a summary statement

Experts are suggesting to do away with an ‘objective’ and rather include a brief personal summary statement at the top of your resume. An ‘objective’ only states what type of job you are looking for, and many times it gets overlooked completely. A summary statement, on the other hand, is a brief synopsis of your professional career that highlights the value you can bring to a potential employer.

Keywords do matter

Your resume is usually viewed first electronically via an applicant tracking system and not an actual human. It is critical to include keywords that clearly define your skills. For example, if you are applying for a job in marketing but do not state on your resume that you have previously held a marketing role, chances are your resume will be passed over and will not be seen by a hiring manager. It also helps to have multiple versions of your resume and to customize each one to the specific job you are applying to.

Write strategically

Brevity is better when it comes to resume writing. Try to jot out sentences as concisely as possible but still make your point in a clear manner. Resumes are typically one to two pages long, depending on your years of experience, so you may not have enough space to include your entire job history along with accomplishments in full detail. Knowing this, list the most important and relevant information first and delete any sentences that may not be necessary. Remember, less is more!

Starting a new job search can be challenging and at times stressful. But with a solid resume, your dream job may be right around the corner! What changes will you make to your resume?