I don’t know about you, but I can feel the uncertainty floating in the air. It’s so thick I could almost grab it. It’s been this way since Quarantine started. Never quite sure what’s going to happen. On edge about how we should prepare for this. Apocalypse 101 was never taught at my high school although they might start teaching it now.
What I have learned through my years of education in the school of life is how to be prepared. (I was never a Boy Scott so I couldn’t learn it there). From loading up on toilet paper, bread, and Dr. Pepper to getting our ducks in a row in case our jobs fell through. Which is where your resume comes in.
It’s time to find a way to stand out in the crowd and land a job that will take care of you
It seems crazy to think that you should be working on your resume when everything going on in the world. The reality is that change is happening faster than ever, and you’ll want to be ready if you need to get out and look for a job. Or maybe you’re already in this grueling process. With the unemployment rate at an all-time high and no understanding of how it will look in the near future, it’s time to find a way to stand out in the crowd and land a job that will take care of you and your family. Building a resume that connects is your very first step.
As a Marketing Director for a start-up in Denver, I’ve been through my fair share of resumes. (Some would say that with the number of jobs I had in High School I’ve also created my fair share of resumes). I know the process of going through a stack of candidates and deciding on someone that will be the next employee of a company. A process that’s just as painful as trying to find a job. But when it comes to the resumes that have stood out and often landed the job, these are the 4 elements they all had.
Resume Tip #1: Use A Template
It used to be that a word doc was good enough to create your resume but now, everything is designed. We live in a visual world and a resume that has color and design elements will stand out in the pile. With free programs like Canva, it’s super easy to simply update a template with your text, colors that match your style, and even a photo of yourself if you choose to use one. (Not necessary though.)
Resume Tip #2: Keep it Short
As a Marketing Director, I can tell you that I don’t have a lot of time and the number one thing I hate about looking at resumes is when they don’t get to the point. Your resume should NEVER be longer than 1 page. In most cases, work experience from 10 years ago doesn’t apply to this job and should be left off. Also, the jobs you had that have nothing to do with this position (your nanny job, working at the coffee shop in college or painting houses over the summer) don’t need to take up space. Instead, focus on the jobs you’ve had that are similar to this job and really showcase your credibility. If you don’t have any similar jobs then you can include your other work history but be sure to explain how it relates to this job.
Resume Tip #3: Show the Numbers
In the hiring process, we want to know that we’ll get someone who will show up results. Whenever you can give specific examples of how you improved something at your last job share them. In marketing, it’s real easy for me to mention the growth percentages or the income of a campaign. For other industries, this can be hard, but you want to explain why you’re an asset. By using specific examples of how you’ve succeeded in past jobs, you’re letting the hiring manager what they’re getting.
Resume Tip #4: Customize Your Cover Letter
It’s a pain. It’s a lot of work. It makes all the difference. Yes, you HAVE to write a cover letter for each job you apply for. No, you cannot just use one for all of them. Your cover letter should have the name of the person you’re writing to on it. It should also use keywords from the job description to prove that you not only listened but that you really are qualified. I know it sucks, but it makes all the difference. It doesn’t need to be a novel, actually, it’s better if this is also short. Stick to the brief explanations of past jobs, highlight your success, and politely close.
Your resume should show off your personality, explain your history, and highlight your success. It doesn’t need to be stale and robotic. It can have charisma and tell a story. If fact, it’s the charisma that will most likely get it to stand out. If you can find even more ways to stand out from the crowd with a website or calling out the company on social media in a creative way, it’s a great way to get in front of the hiring team. As my mother always says “to see you, is to love you.” If you can just get in front of them, I know you’ll blow them away.
Here’s to you sis, I hope you find the job of your dreams and know that you’ll make it through these hard times. We all will.
