What are some of the latest trends or best practices in resume writing that you follow or learn from?

Another great way to identify keywords for your target role is to utilize LinkedIn. Go to your profile by clicking “Me” then “View Profile.” After that press “more” then “Build a Resume” and “Create from Profile.”From there you enter your target role and it will identify the keywords that you should feature on your resume and profile. If you don’t have experience with those keywords do a project or take a course.

When will the idea that the ATS screens applications go away? This has NEVER been the case. It is always a recruiter - a human being that reads each resume and determines whether or not a candidate meets the qualifications for a job. There may be functionality in the ATS that helps bubble the strongest matches to the top of the pile but it is still a human being that is reading your resume and making the call!

If you are not customizing your resume for each job you are committing Personal Blanding? : the intentional or inadvertent act of demarketing or making oneself appear generic. Contributing factors include but not limited to unfocused overuse of buzzwords, adjectives, and claims of greatness with the lack of supportive media, written recommendations, lackluster engagement, and any measurable proof metrics. Go Grand, Never Bland, Brand to Land & & #KeepRockingLinkedIn! Kevin On a Mission to Eliminate Organizational & Personal Blanding?

I actually disagree with this. I cannot stress this enough. There's nothing in an ATS to get past. Recruiters are reading the resumes, not an ATS bot. The only thing that could screen out your resume would be questions that you answer related to the position - i.e., how many years of experience do you have. Redoing your resume for every position is a waste of time. Having a resume that embodies all of the work you've done is much more effective and saves time and energy. If you're applying for the jobs you're qualified for, you shouldn't have to rewrite your resume.

The most efficient way to do this is to print the job description (totally old school but effective), highlight key items and then ensure those key items are included in your resume. These items include technical skills, soft skills, responsibilities, industry expertise and more. Doing this helps Recruiters, who skim resumes instead of reading them word for word, quickly see that you are a match for the position. BUT, be careful! Don't embellish! Be honest about your skills and experience so that you can not only effectively pass the ATS but you can pass the interview and do well in the job.

If you are still using the same Microsoft Word template that you've used since the 90's, STOP. There are so many ways to create an interesting design. You can Google "resume samples" to see what resumes look like today. It's your first impression to the reader. You wouldn't go to an interview wearing an outdated outfit, so why send an outdated resume format?

Unless you are applying for a role that is creative in nature like Artist, Creative Director or something else really cool, keep it simple. Recruiters prefer the simple layout so they can actually read your resume to see if you are a fit. The reality here is that Recruiters review SO many resumes on a weekly basis that they may not even notice how much time you spent creating a fancy resume. Also keep in mind the fancy stuff may deter Recruiters. If they are color blind, they may not be able to read the font. If they are Neurodiverse in any way, they many not be able to read the italics or cool fonts. Moral of the story, keep it simple and put all your energy into preparing to be amazing in the interview.

You can use insights from neuroscience and eye-tracking studies to make your resume easier to read. - Use sections so readers can quickly identify information, especially a headline at the top of the resume that quickly shows your focus ("Sales Professional") instead of generic headlines like "Summary of Qualifications." - Pay attention to the left side of the page as this is the main content English readers start with (we skim down the left side). - Use divider lines and/or white space to delineate sections (no, these don't mess up most ATS). If you want more info on resume design based on these ideas, check out this article: https://www.resumewritingacademy.com/blog/write-for-modern-readers

Good resume design supports your content by drawing the eye to those elements that are most relevant or impressive, and by enhancing readability. Modern resumes do often incorporate some color. As long as it's industry-appropriate (dark blue, for example, is usually a safe bet in even the most conservative fields) and used sparingly, this can be an effective tool to help communicate your brand. The human eye responds to color, even if we aren't conscious of it. The key is to make design choices with intention and that serve your content, not because you think they look cool or trendy.

Be careful with resume templates or builder tools, as they often contain hard coding unsuitable for digital processing. Keep your resume simple and follow the guidance that every online application presents or requires for processing. These database best practices will assist you in creating a complete and parsable resume designed to be read and understood by machines and humans. Go Grand, Never Bland, Brand to Land & #KeepRockingLinkedIn! Kevin On a Mission to Eliminate Organizational & Personal Blanding?

I will typically start my resume bullet points with the results/numbers first as a way to really catch the reader's eye: Boosted leads by 40% via marketing strategies, customer insights, etc Elevated performance by 25% for team of 10 through ... Lifted traffic by 60% and conversions by 30% via responsive website …

The most common mistake? No impact / No data. People write what they are doing and it makes them look like low-level administrative aids or gophers. --> "Created reports covering ABC" means "paper pusher" to the reader. --> So does "Developed XYZ module as a part of project ABC." Instead, tell me why your work mattered with numbers. How much money did you generate? How much of a better system did you develop? Doers get hired to take orders and do. People who make an impact get hired to make a difference for their companies (and that pays a lot better than taking orders).

Use storytelling and include context to take your metrics to the next level. Remember, the reader likely doesn't know anything about your company, why it was challenging to deliver those results, or why they mattered to the company. In the example above, if that team of 10 sales people you led to exceed sales targets used to be a team of 20 prior to cutbacks, then exceeding your target by 15% looks amazing instead of good! It also provides more insights into your ability to manage change and mobilize a leaner team effectively.

This is so important. This is an element most people overlook. It is hard for most people to be braggadocious, especially women, but if there were ever a time to own your contributions, it is when your looking for a new role. Give us much context as possible. For example, let's say you are in sales, a decent bullet might be "Achieved 120% to sales target for 2022." Sounds pretty good. However, how does it sound compared to this? "Achieved 120% to sales target for 2022 versus a floor average of 78%, netting the organization $1.5M in revenue." Context is paramount.

When creating resumes for my clients, I spend the 1st 2 sessions getting to know them. By leveraging several techniques, I get to know who they are as people, not just professionals. I then use the information to create their resume and cover letter. This is an essential part of employment branding because it is what sets candidates a part. Think about it; Chemical Engineers from the same school, working at the same company, doing the same work are seen as interchangeable. What helps them stand out are their soft skills, passions, innate abilities, personal interests and goals. These things must be highlight on the resume. Reminds me of a favorite line from The Black Panther "Show them who YOU are!"

The Covid-19 pandemic made soft skills more important than ever. Adaptability, communication skills (remote and in-office), relationship development, empathy, resilience, and even kindness became crucial for companies navigating the crisis. This trend continued post-pandemic and they are still considered critical for leaders and teams as positive character traits. Don't hide those soft skills!

Soft skills are incredibly important on the job, but it's difficult to judge your own soft skills (who thinks they're a bad communicator?), and even more difficult to talk about them in a meaningful way on a resume. Instead of just listing your soft skills without context or describing them with long strings of adjectives, offer proof by writing bullet points that show your soft skills in action. For example, how did you use your communication or team-building skills to bring people with different perspective together around a common goal?

You want to use as many specific skills you bring to the table as possible, but be cautious overusing adjectives. Words like "hard working, loyal, or dedicated" are a dime a dozen. They are not tangible. Plus, who ever wrote on their resume "I am a lazy sob who will call out of work every Friday?" It's a great idea to add awards and adjacent accomplishments that speak to your character. If you added in your summary that you had competed in multiple triathlons, that would be valuable as it showcases your dedication and ability to achieve results. Definitely add past military experience. Skip things like "avid chef, video game enthusiast, or other hobbies unless it somehow ties to the role."

Avoid using outdated sections such as “Objective,” or unnecessary lines such as “References Available Upon Request.” Everyone’s objective on a resume is typically the same. Either you are out of work and the objective is to get an interview for a potential new job, or you’re currently working and seeking a better opportunity. Utilize this space to write a brief overview of your career to date, entitled something along the lines of, “Professional Summary.” If you’re attempting to pivot to a new industry or role, this is a great place to show off your transferable skills! Letting recruiters and/or hiring managers know you have references available is completely unnecessary, as it is a blatantly obvious statement and just takes up space.

You definitely want to optimize your resume for online platforms. However, make sure you are spending equal time updating your entire LinkedIn profile. Recruiters rely heavily on LinkedIn to source candidates. This is where AI and machine learning is important. Make sure you have all the appropriate keywords sprinkled throughout your LinkedIn profile and on your skills section.

An effective resume should show the reader clarify and focus. Not just what you’ve ever done before but your value prop, what you offer, and the experience to back that up.

Two common MISTAKES: (1) No clear objective. I have to guess what you want to do or sort through a "personal statement" about how you are "highly motivated" and a "quick learner". State clearly what you want to do so I know if you fit my job. (2) Words. FAR TOO MANY. Our resumes represent our lives, so we want to tell people all we have done. We feel that if the reader would just understand us and our struggles, they would hire us. But the reader is not there to care about our lives. They are there to answer a simple question: Should I call this person to fill the job I am working on?

Today's resumes are usually read during first rounds on some sort of screen or mobile device, but then get printed later on down the road. Keeping online skim readers top of mind is imperative -- and fortunately, documents designed to be read online can also be read in print (the reverse isn't true). Aim to avoid dense text (paragraphs longer than 3 lines, add white space (.5 inch) between bullets/paragraphs, and front-load achievements so that the good stuff gets seen at the beginning (there's no guarantee the reader will get to the end of the sentence.

????????????????... ???????? ???????????? ???? ?????? ?????????? ??????... ????'?? ?????????? ?????? ???????????? ?????????????? ????. Yes, it has your name at the top... your jobs... your education, etc... but nevertheless, it is not a document where you list everything job you've had going back to the early 2000's... It needs to ?????????? ?????? ???????????????? of the hiring manager. They tell you what these problems are right in there in the job description. Customize your resume for each job you apply for using the job description as a guide. This does not mean you copy it word for word but rather a few phrases and the overall "spirit" of the job description. You want to speak THEIR LANGUAGE!!!