Spring is in the air! And if the warmer temperatures and bursts of new life have you in the mood to make changes in your career, the first step is updating your resume. This can be a stumbling block for many, and it’s easy to procrastinate when you’re not sure where to begin. But by making easy changes, your resume will be application-ready in no time.
Five Easy Ways to Clean Up Your Resume
Just follow these five tips from one of the leading temp agencies in Atlanta GA (Snelling Georgia Group) to get your resume polished, primed and ready to go:
Know What You Want
This may sound overwhelming, but really it just takes a little daydreaming about what’s on your career wish list—and that’s a task that should be fun. What do you want to do? In your perfect world, what does your ideal job look like? This will help you focus your resume on the job you want, making it easier to trim unnecessary information.
Keep Your Opening Summary Brief
This is the statement at the beginning of your resume that introduces you and your background. Keep it to just a few sentences, explaining what you specialize in, and the knowledge and experience you have. A good rule is to list your most recent experience and most impressive accomplishment. Remember, you want to capture the hiring manager’s attention, so they keep reading!
Trim Your Work Experience
This should encompass no more than 10-15 years and should only include past jobs relevant to the job to which you’re applying. For example, the pizza parlor you worked at in college can probably be removed from your work history, except if you gained applicable experience.
Focus on Accomplishments
In your work history section, you should focus less on roles and responsibilities and more on accomplishments. How did you help the company reach its goals? This is more important to a hiring manager than a general overview of how you spent your days on the job.
Keep the Layout Simple
If you have graphics, charts or a headshot included in your resume—take it out. A clean, easy-to-read layout is your best choice. Pick one or two fonts, use bullet points where they make sense, and divide information into sections that helps the hiring manager skim.
Need Help?
Working with a recruiter is another helpful step in finding a new job. Your recruiter is part job coach and can give you tips to clean up your resume to prepare for your next job.
Find a New Job You Love!
If you’re in search of work in the Atlanta area, contact Snelling Georgia Group. We’ll work with you to understand your career goals and find a job that fits. To learn more, contact us today!
