When it comes to resumes, people always say to get more creative or put every single experience on there. But let’s be real, too many emojis won’t impress anyone, and irrelevant experiences won’t help you land the job. You need a balance between design and strategic writing. But how to achieve that? Don’t stress, we’ve got your back! We can help you come up with a killer resume that’ll make recruiters want to call you (so keep your phone handy!).
Emerging Trends in Resumes in 2023
While all trends are not created equal, some are good to pay attention to and follow, like those that touch upon job seeking. It’s always smart to keep an eye on what hiring managers and recruiters appreciate.
Firstly, focus on creating a skills-focused resume. As technology advances and the digital skills gap widens, employers are placing more emphasis on specific skills rather than job titles or traditional qualifications. To make sure your skills stand out, research the top skills in your industry so you can adapt and highlight yours in a clear and concise way.
Use a simple, chronological resume format. Despite the rise and fall of various resume formats like infographics and functional resumes, the chronological format is a classic choice that has stood the test of time. It is easy to read and clearly demonstrates your work history, making it ideal for most job applications. We’ll talk about various other types of formats in the article.
As you see every day around you, personalized messages are the way to go. There’s a reason large corporations and the advertisement industry use it… It really works, people! To effectively communicate with your audience, consider customizing your resume header and content to match the specific job requirements. During my own job search, I found it helpful to analyze the company values and the keywords used in the job offer and include them in my resume.
In addition, consider incorporating an updated, modern design. A traditional resume format may no longer suffice in attracting the attention of recruiters, making it crucial to use modern design elements and visually appealing layouts in your resume to make a lasting impression.
If you truly want to make a difference and secure the job, those tips I just shared with you are game-changing! They have the power to transform your approach, so take them to heart. Now, keep scrolling for practical examples!
Resume Design Strategies
Color Schemes and Fonts
While using a modern and visually appealing design for your resume is essential, don’t get too crazy about it! Focus on using a color scheme that is clean and cohesive to draw attention to important information without being distracttyting. Simplicity is key when it comes to colors, so limit yourself to two or three complementary shades that showcase your personality without overwhelming the reader.
When selecting a font, opt for a legible and professional typeface. Some popular choices include Arial, Georgia, and Calibri. Make sure to use consistent font sizes and styles throughout your resume for a polished look.
Layouts and Spacing
For the story, did you know that a recruiter only spends about 5 seconds looking at your resume before forming an impression of you? Therefore, a well-structured layout is crucial for making your resume easy to read and navigate. As mentioned before, using a chronological format allows you to showcase your work history in a clear, linear manner, which makes it simple for hiring managers to follow.
Pay close attention to spacing! Use ample white space to break up the text and make it easier on the reader’s eyes. Use bullet points and bold text strategically to emphasize your Key skills or achievements. Moreover, use tables to display information efficiently and in an organized fashion.
Those are simple tips but very effective in making a lasting impression on potential employers. Keep in mind the goal: showcasing your skills and achievements with a visually engaging design that speaks to your professionalism and attention to detail. Now, let’s get to the most crucial part: the writing.
Resume Writing Tips
Language and Style
To write your resume effectively, maintain a confident and clear tone to position yourself as an expert in your field. That is extremely important. Always keep in mind that recruiters are in search of value; you are here to help them achieve their goals as a firm. Use concise and straightforward language to make your resume easy to read and understand. Don’t forget to tailor your resume content for every job you apply for.
Emphasize your accomplishments and skills by using the I2E method (Idea, explication, and example). As a student, I struggled a lot to emphasize my little experiences and make them appealing. This method saved my life! It helps you craft your resume in a way that helps you focus on concrete and value. For instance, instead of saying I was writing content for X on social media, use I created high-value content at X, helping them increase engagement on Instagram and Facebook by X% every month. Do you see the difference here? GAME-CHANGER! Because it clearly demonstrates your skills and achievements.
Lastly, to ensure your resume is formatted correctly and free of errors, proofread it carefully and consider seeking feedback from friends or mentors.
What to Include to Succeed
Design: Make a solid first impression with a modern design that reflects your current skills and experiences in a coherent manner.
Key Details: Use a tailored resume header that speaks to the job you want, not your current job. This will help you stand out to hiring managers and demonstrate that you fit the position well.
Skills Section: Optimize your skills section by showcasing your most important and relevant talents for the job. Ensure to include any new skills acquired since your last resume update, especially those related to technology and digital proficiency. Remember the vital I2E method. You’ll thank me later.
What to Exclude to Sparkle
Non-relevant matter: Remove outdated information or achievements no longer relevant to your target position. Avoid including personal data such as age, and marital status or outdated sport experience you did at 7 with no transferable skills to the job you want.
Let’s take a look at resume formats depending on your situation:
Chronological Format
It still remains a strong choice in 2023 for most applicants. As mentioned before, it emphasizes your work history. This format helps to showcase your career progression and is particularly useful if you’ve had a steady career path in your industry. Be sure to optimize it with keywords and quantify your impact with numbers while using a beautiful and cohesive design.
Functional Format
This format focuses on your skills and expertise rather than your work history. It’s especially helpful for career changers, those with employment gaps, or if you’re trying to downplay unrelated experiences. Include soft skills and highlight how they can benefit the company you’re applying to.
Combination Format
As its name suggests, the Combination Format combines the best of both the chronological and functional formats. By doing so, it showcases both your work history and your skills. This format is ideal if you have a mix of experience and you want to emphasize your qualifications for a particular role.
Select the resume format that best highlights your strengths, experience, and skills. Remember to customize your resume to fit the job you’re applying for, and stay ahead of the game by following current resume trends (seen at the beginning).
Navigating through Multiple Resume Pages
When to Use Multi-Page Resumes
In some cases, it’s necessary to have a multiple-page resume.For example, if you have an extensive work history or numerous skills and experiences that would be relevant to the job you’re applying for. However, remember to keep it as concise as possible. Recruiters often prefer to see a one-page resume, especially for entry-level roles or positions that don’t require many years of experience. Instead, use a portfolio to highlight your skills if necessary.
How to Organize Multi-Page Resumes
To effectively organize your multi-page resume, follow these tips:
- Prioritize your content: Begin with the most critical information at the top of your resume, and proceed in order of importance. Include your contact information, a firm summary statement, and your most relevant experiences and achievements on top.
- Use clear headings: Use clear, consistent titles throughout your resume to help your reader quickly locate the information they’re looking for. This will also help break up the text into easily digestible sections.
- Properly format each page: Ensure both pages of your resume have consistent formatting, including fonts, font sizes, and alignment. Also, include your name and the page number in the header or footer of the second page in case the pages get separated during the hiring process.
- Utilize tables and bullet points: Tables can help organize skills, certifications, or languages, while bullet points make it easier for a recruiter to skim and identify your key accomplishments. These formatting tools help simplify the presentation of your information and provide a more reader-friendly experience.
Remember that a multiple-page resume isn’t always necessary or desirable, but in situations where your experience and skills warrant it, following these guidelines will help ensure your resume remains easy to read and understand, increasing the likelihood of catching the recruiter’s attention.
Resume Appearance, practical tips
Overall Aesthetics
Your resume should have an updated, modern design to stand out among the competition. Opt for a modern design that reflects current trends and attracts the attention of hiring managers.
When selecting a template, consider the following aspects:
- Colors: Use subtle colors to highlight sections and headings, but avoid overusing them.
- Fonts: Choose simple, professional fonts that are easy to read.
- Structure: Opt for a clear and concise layout emphasizing your relevant experiences and skills.
Readability Factors
Making your resume easy to read and understand is essential. Here are a few ways to improve readability:
- Whitespace: Incorporate ample white space in your resume layout to avoid overwhelming the reader with too much information. This could be achieved by using standard margins and proper spacing between subheadings and bullets.
- Bullets: Use bullet points to present your responsibilities and achievements concisely.
- Headings: Emphasize your headings and subheadings to improve content clarity and make it easier for hiring managers to find the information they need.
- Keywords: Ensure that you include relevant keywords from the job description, as many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes for these specific terms
In conclusion…
Like I said in the beginning, trends come and go. Some stick around for a while, and some are gone before the sun goes down. But when it comes to finding the right job or career path, it’s always a good idea to follow the advice of those who spend much of their days reviewing candidates and reading resumes. I know it’s helped me!