Overview
In 2020, the competition for available jobs will become increasingly difficult due to changes in the economic climate and to prepare yourself to face this challenge, it is crucial that you fulfill the demands of employers who will now have a more refined choice where resumes are concerned.
Below are our top eleven tips for 2020:
1. Start with a Professional Summary– Your aim is to grasp the attention of the reader by creating professional summary that introduces yourself, your qualifications, highlights the most valuable skills that relate to the job, and showcases the unique value you offer or the results you will produce for the employer in short paragraph. For entry level candidates and career changers can use an employer-centered objective statement. Give prospective employer an excellent reason to read your resume.
2.Format and layout– Simply list your most recent or current position first, then working your way backward.
3.Use Readable Fonts– Using legible and professional-looking fonts is incredibly important in all designs. recommend fonts are Calibri and Times New Roman size 11 and for headings you should use a font size a few sizes larger.
4.Break it up with bullet points and headings– You want to make your resume as easy to read as possible and the best way to do this is through using headings and bullet points. Employers now prefer to read accomplishments written like very brief stories. Make your experience easy to skim.
5.Keep it brief– Short but sweet is the name of the game when it comes to your CV. One to two pages is the golden standard for resumes. Focus on keeping the most important information on the front page of your resume and unless something is integral to you getting the job, you’re best to omit it.
6.Key Achievements– Make a separate “key achievements” section or sub-section in the experience section to highlight your accomplishments in a better way. The measurable achievements you have made are unique to you and play a key role in presenting the unique value you offer to employers. It can be be money, service and even process related achievements.
7.Do Not Lie– Do not lie about anything in your resume as you might be trapped in or after the interview.
8.Customize– Customize your resume as per job description as much as possible based on your real-life experience and skillset.
9.Show Off a Little– Let the employer know what you can do as opposed to just what your job responsibilities were.
10.Update your language– Keep abreast of modern terms and replace phrases such as “computing skills” and perhaps even “Microsoft Office,” as most jobseekers possess such talents. Use more specific adjectives than “excellent” and stronger verbs than “worked” to describe yourself and your qualifications.
11.Add and subtract regularly- Every few months, or at least every year, update your document to keep it current, relevant, and impressive. Insert new work experience descriptions as you take on more important roles in your current position. Identify recent accomplishments. Remember to subtract as well. As you continue to enhance your resume with new and applicable qualifications, remove information that no longer applies to the jobs you seek.