Resume Best Practices

Did you know you should be updating your resume every six to 12 months to add new skills and experience?¹ And since September is International Update Your Resume Month, it’s a great time for you to update your resume.

What to Include:

• Contact information. Triple check that your email and phone number are correct. Include a period (.) or dash (–) in your phone number (ex: 505.292.6343) to make your contact info stand out.
• Always use an application-appropriate email address. Ditch the kitschy email address for job applications and your resume.
• Previous job information including job title, 3-5 primary duties, and accurate dates of employment. Be ready to explain any gaps in your employment history.
• Tailoring the resume to the job by using keywords from the job description.

What to Exclude:

• Photos of yourself on your resume.
• Jobs previously worked 5+ years ago that aren’t relevant to the position you’re applying for.
• References. Instead use “References upon request,” or omit anything about references entirely. Generally, if the organization’s hiring process includes reviewing references, they will ask for them.²

The most important tip for a resume rebuild – check for misspellings and grammar errors. Use the Spell Check feature or Grammarly to ensure your resume is ready to be viewed. Remember, your resume is the first impression your prospective employer will have of you; put your best foot forward.

Remember, today’s job market is highly competitive – the best chance of landing an interview is applying within the first 24 hours the position is posted.¹

Don’t let your resume get tossed to the side – make it a point to regularly update your resume to ensure it’s up-to-date and positions you for success. Check out Recruiter.com's 10 Things to Omit from Resumes for more tips on crafting a winning resume. 

References:

1. https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/five-steps-for-updating-your-resume-hot-jobs
2. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/should-you-include-references-on-a-resume