The New Resume Format
If you haven’t submitted a resume in a while, you may not be aware that things have changed significantly in the past 5 or so years regarding what employers, hiring managers, HR folks, and recruiters are looking for. Here is a brief synopsis of what used to be and what is, along with some suggestions for making your resume “pop” for that potential employer!
OLD STYLE — we used to think of a resume as simply an accounting of the jobs we have held over our career-life. The old style of resume (the one I was taught to put together in college) focused on describing what you did on the job. It was heavily dependent upon responsibilities and was more of a job description.
NEW STYLE — the new style of resume places heavy emphasis on helping your potential employer see how hiring you will bring them a return on that “investment.” This new resume style is all about results and achievements. How will you help your potential employer make or save money?
Here are some tips for making your OLD STYLE RESUME into a NEW STYLE RESUME:
- Begin with a clear Career Objective. This should be your USP — Unique Selling Proposition. It should be written to entice a potential employer to read the rest of the resume. Use their language and be sure to let them know what you will DO for them.
- Quantify results. Give quantified examples of what you have done in the past. Use numbers to express the scope and quantity of your previous work. Use specific examples that will be helpful to your potential employers.
- Get LinkedIn and get recommendations. The Internet has made it easier for you to submit hundreds of resumes. Conversely, it has made it more difficult for hiring managers and HR personnel to sort through the hundreds of resumes they receive for each posting. ANSWER? LinkedIn. Get recommendations from former co-workers, clients, bosses, etc. and they will help you cut through the clutter.
The OLD STYLE of resume is out. If you want to get yourself seen by potential employers you must upgrade your resume to show them what you can do for THEM. The NEW STYLE of resume is the way to go.
