How's your resume looking these days?

Is it time for a resume refresh?

Resumes and resume writing has changed over the years. Formats and styles have changed, the details we want to see are changed, and we must change with them. Here are five things I think are important for your resume.

Let's talk about the top of your resume.

First, take your street address off your resume.

Years ago, when most of us were commuting to work, it was more important for a recruiter/company to know where exactly someone lived, so they could figure out commutes. ?Now, with remote work, we don't need your address and here's another reason.

I recently interviewed someone who happened to be from my smallish hometown, and because she had her address listed, I knew exactly where she lived. When I spoke to her I told her, "I grew up in X town - I know exactly where you live".

Think about how those sounds. A stranger is telling you they know exactly where they live. Think of the hundreds of resumes you're sending out with your personal information.

Instead, ditch the street address and use a Greater City Area (DFW Metro, Greater Philadelphia). It’s important for a few reasons – I’d like to know your general area, in case in case it’s a hybrid role, or so I don’t call you at 6am in California because you have a New Jersey area code.

Next, make your email and LinkedIn profile live links.?It’s very easy to do and will make it easier for people to contact you and review your profile for connections in common, etc.

For the phone number, just use one.?Use the phone number you use all the time, you’re most likely to answer or check messages more frequently.?This is more likely your mobile.?So put that number, but there’s no reason to call it out as your phone number. We know it’s your phone number.?You also don’t have to call out your email address. We see it.?It’s self-explanatory.

After that, instead of an objective, use a summary.?We all have the same objective – get a job.?A summary is a great place to sum up who you are and what you’re great at, mention some superpowers and basically say how awesome you are.

Now, let’s talk about formatting.?Keep it simple.?You don’t need boxes and tables – it can make it harder for an ATS to read AND sometimes people review resumes on their phone, so you want to make sure it’s readable in all formats.

Furthermore, let’s dispel the one-page resume myth. If you’ve been working for more than a few years, you may have enough experience and accomplishments to go to two pages.?Remember, this one-page rule started when people were using paper resumes.?I’d much rather read a well crafted two-page resume than a one pager with no margins and 10pt font.?Keep in mind that your resume is your sales document – it’s selling you and what you can offer a company.?You want it to be as easy to read and understand as possible.

Finally, don’t put your references on your resume, or even send them when you are applying for a job.?We will ask you for references when the time comes AND you are sending out their contact information repeatedly.?It’s not even necessary to put “References available upon request".?We know.?We’ll ask.?A lot of companies are doing away with references now, since most people know to only give the names of people that will say the very best things about them.?If you’re asked to provide references, make sure to give your references a heads up so they are aware they will be getting contacted.

It’s a good idea to keep your resume up to date.?When you get a new job, hold onto the job description so you can use it to craft the next part of your resume.?Make sure you’re not putting a laundry list of responsibilities and add your accomplishments.?What you did and how it helped the company, saving money, bringing in revenue, implementing a new technology etc.?

Is that it??Not by a long shot. Feel free to reach out to me for more resume and job search advice.