What are the best practices for editing resumes with a tight deadline?

When facing a tight deadline for editing your resume, it's important to focus on efficiency and prioritize key areas that will have the most impact like; - Tailor your resume to highlight the most relevant information that aligns with the job requirements. -Proofread your resume for grammatical errors. - Ensure it has a clean and professional appearance. - Use consistent formatting throughout, including font styles, sizes, and bullet point formatting. - Make sure headings, subheadings, and sections are clearly labeled and organized. - Focus on highlighting experiences, skills, and achievements that are directly relevant to the job you're applying for. - Place emphasis on recent and significant experiences that showcase your qualifications.

I'm a big fan of using ChatGPT, not to write my client's resumes, but to be my personal assistant in the process. If I've done a consult, I'll have the tool summarize my notes into bullet point forms for inspiration ("I'm writing a resume for an HR Operations Executive. Craft competitive bullet points with 35 words or less starting each with a past tense action verb. Ensure ALL quantifiable results are captured"). I also use ChatGPT to help me think of new ways to word something I'm stuck on, come up with an idea on how to quantify, and/or provide it with a template and then new content to inspire my next set of bullet points.

There have been numerous occasions in which I have written a resume on a tight deadline. I recommend kicking the process off by scanning for critical information such as skills, experiences, and achievements directly relevant to the target position. Utilize concise language, focus on key accomplishments, and leverage editing tools for grammar and formatting to ensure a polished and professional final document within the time constraints. You could also seek feedback from a trusted colleague or friend to catch any overlooked errors or areas for improvement before submission.

Grammarly is a helpful resume copyeditor for noting grammar, spacing, punctuation, and spelling errors. One can go old-school and proofread backward, starting at the end of the resume reading bullet by bullet and line by line to focus on word choice and sentence-level grammar rather than content. Sometimes enlarging the resume on the screen to 150% helps with proofreading, as does setting it aside for a day.

Use your target job listing as a roadmap. It's easy to get overwhelmed and go down the rabbit hole trying to figure out which accomplishments to include and what will have the most impact. Working backwards from the listing allows you to focus in on examples that prove you excel in the specific areas the company is prioritizing.

Edit your resume ruthlessly. If a sentence does not help the reader understand why you are the best choice, eliminate it. Remember, you are writing the resume for the reader, not you. Keep your ego out of the content and focus on achievements and data points that are relevant to the role. Every word matters. The faster the reader can get to the “good stuff” the better. And remember, focus on the top third of the document. You need to capture their attention early to insure they read the entire resume.,

Think of your resume as a movie of your experience and you are the star of the show! - Place the most important information at the top section of your resume, that way anyone looking at it can tell who you are in the first 5 seconds. - Present information in bullet points rather than long paragraphs. Start your bullets with action verbs that accurately explain what you did. - Focus on achievements rather than job duties. Quantify them with specific numbers and metrics when possible.

Be sure to write a brief Summary at the top of your CV where you tell the reader 1) what kind of job you're looking for, and 2) what kind of skills you can bring to this job. Sounds kind of basic, doesn't it? Yet you'd be surprised how much this helps your CV get noticed by your reader.

Humans hold unconscious bias, including recruiters. As you write your resume, be wary of adding details that could invite bias against you such as age, parenthood, religion, race, LGBTQIA+, and politics. For instance, an older email server, two spaces after a period, 1" margins, Times New Roman font, and including a street address shares your age. Be uniquely you, but wary of how much "you" you unnecessarily share. Focus on relevant work experience, skills, and education - your qualifications.

To ensure a timely and effective resume edit, provide clear and concise information about your work experience, achievements, and skills. Specify the target job and industry. Use action verbs, quantify accomplishments, and tailor content to the job description. Be prompt in responding to any follow-up questions and provide feedback promptly to meet the deadline. Communication is key for a successful and timely resume edit.