As technology has changed, the way we apply to jobs has changed with it. And as we move into an increasingly digital world, we have to start rethinking the way we build our resumes. Some resume building tips remain tried and true, but there are some things that need to get with the times. Here are six things you can do to improve your digital resume.
Leave off your Picture and Home Address
Although not exclusive to digital resumes, it’s a good idea to leave full addresses and professional headshots off resumes. Full addresses are unnecessary in the digital age, and what you look like has no bearing on your skills as a professional. Contact information is still important to have on a resume, but all you need is your phone number, email address, and a general city or region with a zip code. For example, if Area Temps made a resume, our region would be Northeast Ohio, or our city would be the locations of any of our seven offices. General information of location is important for employers, especially if the position would require relocation, and zip codes help employers search on job sites, but you don’t need any more than that.
Put your LinkedIn Page (or Other Portfolios)
When listing your contacts on your resume, if you have a LinkedIn account, it’s a good idea to link to it (especially if you’re applying for a professional position at a company). LinkedIn acts as an online portfolio for all sorts of professionals, so showing that you have one that you maintain looks good on a resume. Likewise, if you’re in a creative field (such as writing, graphic design, or illustration), a link to an online portfolio of your prior work also makes your resume stand out. Some of the jobs in these fields require you to submit one anyway, so linking it on your resume can’t hurt. But to reiterate, these are not required for all positions and is not necessary if the job doesn’t call for a portfolio. But if you have some sort of professional online presence, it’s good to link it.
Balance Hard and Soft Skills
On your resume, when you list your skills, it’s important to put both hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are technical skills or skills directly related to your ability to do the job (like software skills, experience with machinery or other instruments, artistic ability or handiwork, etc.). Soft skills, on the other hand, aren’t required for the position but instead relate to what kind of worker you are (being a team player, having good interpersonal communication skills, working well in a fast-paced environment, etc.). Having both not only gives an employer an idea of your skill as a worker, but what kind of skilled worker you’d be. A good rule of thumb is to have 3 hard skills and 2 soft skills, although this can change depending on the job you are applying for.
Use Keywords and Common Job Titles
When applying for a job online, look over the listing for some standout terms that are common in that industry. Terms like bachelor’s degree, sales, heavy equipment operation, certification are often terms used to weed out resumes before they get to the company’s HR department. If these terms are applicable to you, make sure you put them in your resume to ensure yours gets reviewed by a person. It’s also important you use common job titles on your resume for application search purposes. If a previous job you had has a more common name that can be applied, it is best to use that title so when employers search job boards with those titles, your resume comes up.
Proofread
This one seems like a no-brainer, but it’s still important. When you’ve finished your resume make sure you proofread it. Don’t proofread immediately after finishing it though, since you’re less likely to pick up on any errors. Wait a little bit to allow yourself to look at it with fresh eyes. You can also print it out and proofread on a hard copy or give it to someone else to look it over. Either way, it’s important that you make sure it has no spelling mistakes or other small blunders. Verify that your font, font size, spacing, and other general formatting is consistent throughout as well.
Keep a Master Resume
Ideally you want to tailor each resume for each position you apply to. But keeping one large master resume you can refer to can keep your experience organized. For example, if you have experience in both customer service and small parts manufacturing, you wouldn’t send the same resume for a job in either field. But by keeping a master resume, you can take what relevant experience you have from either industry and easily create alternate resume versions for when you apply to positions in each industry.
Resume building can be somewhat complex in a digital world, but by keeping a few things in mind while making your resume, you can ensure you are putting your best foot forward to a prospective employer. But if you need help taking that first step, we at Area Temps can help you land a position. With our extensive network of employers and 7 Northeast Ohio offices, we can give you the leg up in landing the temporary, temp-to-perm or permanent job you’re looking for. Contact one of our offices here for more information on how you can get started.
