If you follow these steps to improve your resume, you just might see a positive result!
Even with the incredible technological changes throughout the last decade, there is still one document upon which the hope of most job seekers resides: the résumé.
As the first impression a job seeker makes on an employer – and the principle method by which people get past the initial review and into an office for a one-on-one interview – the resume remains of paramount importance in the job-hunting game.
Unfortunately, almost every job seeker already knows this and the competition to get the attention of employers is as high as it has ever been. However, many people do not pay attention to the details or recognize how just a few changes to their résumé can make a world of difference – particularly gaining extra training through job-related online certification programs.
You don’t want to be “many people.”
Resume-Improving Tips
The first thing to understand about résumés is that they need to stand out without drawing the wrong sort of attention, as in the sort of attention human resources shower on a résumé that misses the mark badly. The last thing you want is for your résumé to be the one used as an example of what not to do.
The trick is adhering to acceptable résumé standards without being dull, predictable and otherwise unattractive to a potential employer.
These tips, while basic to some, are worth reviewing for all:
- Put the Important Information Up Top
Too many people adhere to a simplistic chronological resume that makes human resources personnel search for why that person might be right for the job – something many human resource personnel simply do not have the time to do. While it’s important to list where you have worked, try putting key points such as job skills and knowledge toward the top of the resume. - Only Detail Recent Employment
If you have been in the workforce a long time, there is no need to detail what you did 15 years ago. Mention the job title and move on. - Add an Objective on Your Resume
If you are just starting out, it shouldn’t hurt to list a career goal on your resume. For one thing, it fills up the dreaded white space on your resume. For another, it gives potential employers some idea of the sort of job you want and where they might be able to place you where you’ll be best used and motivated to succeed. - Place Recommendations on Your Resume
Again, this is an idea for those who are early in their careers. If you have a good recommendation from an impressive person – a highly ranked executive or a well-respected professor, for example – placing it on your resume could help identify you as a potentially good hire. - List Your Online Certifications
Learning more about a particular career or industry through an online certification class demonstrates that you are dedicated to being among the best in your profession. It can help you get a promotion at your current job, or help you land another job.
Can an Online Certificate Really Help With Your Career?
Nothing can replace actual work experience. However, with the pace of change in the business world, staying up-to-date on the latest advances within your industry can require taking classes and earning certificates. Online certificate programs are attractive to working professionals because you can schedule classes around work and family schedules.
The biggest benefit of earning an online certificate is that you expand your knowledge of your particular profession. Such knowledge expands your ability to do your job and increases performance on the job.
Additional Training Can Boost Your Resume
Sometimes acquiring an extra certificate can mean the difference between attracting an employer’s attention and not, according to a recent article on Bankrate.com.
According to Eric Seleznow, state policy director for the National Skills Coalition, “credentialing is everything in the job market today.” Internships, volunteering and self-employment can teach you about an industry, allowing you to learn from those with experience and success. These paths also give you the opportunity to make contacts in the field in which you wish to study.
Once you’ve earned your degree, certifications can help you stand out from the crowd. They bolster the education you’ve already received, expanding your knowledge and providing the latest in your field of study.
No Comment