6 Tips to Revive Your Resume
As a recruiter, I have a love/hate relationship with friends and family who ask if I can help them review and edit their resumes. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE helping them, but it takes a huge chunk out of my {busy, hectic, crazy} day and I do it for free (hint, hint, at least bring me a coffee!). So please, before you ask a recruiter to review your resume, follow these tips to make sure you’re setting yourself up for success! Remember – your resume is all about reflecting (what have you accomplished?), rewriting (keep things formatted the same, it’s okay to have multiple versions), revamping (touch up your current role with fresh numbers), and reassessing (are you where you want to be?).
1. Grammar, Punctuation, Spell Check
Yes, so very basic, I know. However, you’d be surprised by how many resumes I look at where the individual didn’t even do a spell check! When it’s your own writing, grammar mistakes can be hard to catch, but try to focus in on the blue and red squiggles that Word has graciously given us. Also, remove the hyperlink from your email address.
Pro Tip: Even if you’re still in your current role, write EVERYTHING in past tense. It makes it so much easier to write and you don’t have to remember to go back in 7 years to change simple grammatical things.
2. Formatting
Okay, very basic again, but please do this. Before you submit your resume, print it off and make sure it looks visually appealing on paper. Be sure the font is consistent, make sure your bullet points are all lined up, dates are lined up, and EVERYTHING else is lined up in the same way!
Pro Tip: Once your resume is in tip top shape, save it as a PDF and use that to send/apply for roles. By doing this, recruiters won’t be able to see any wonky formatting you did.
3. The Truth Will Get You Hired
The fact that I have to put this on a list for resume revamps is sad. Please do NOT lie on your resume, do NOT stretch the truth. You will be found out, and yes, you can be fired for it. With COVID in our rearview, recruiters are still understanding of job gaps during that time, so don’t fib dates you worked. Don’t say you did something if you really didn’t (hello, reference checks!). Don’t falsify your experience (no, you did not lead a team on a project if you were the only one who worked on the project).
Pro Tip: If you haven’t graduated/passed an exam/etc. put “in progress” next to the details – just be sure to update your resume once you’ve completed that education.
4. Numbers Talk, Fluff Does Not
As we wrap up the year and shift focus to 2023, pull your numbers from all that you have accomplished and update your resume with them. There is no time like the present to make sure you’ve documented your wins and know the exact details surrounding them; be sure to use factual information as much as possible when you’re putting information down. While some “fluff” is needed in a resume, make sure your numbers speak for themselves.
Pro Tip: HR and Accounting will not find it weird if you ask them to pull your numbers from previous year sales, gross margins, completion time, etc. – especially this time of year when folks are gearing up for reviews and promotions.
5. Humble Brag
As you work on your resume this is the time for you to brag about yourself. Enough said.
6. Safety First!
This is a personal pet peeve of mine, but please remove your address. Maybe it’s me being a little neurotic as a female, but it comes down to safety. You don’t need your address out there for the world to see online.
Reflect, rewrite, revamp, reassess your situation. As the New Year approaches, take it upon yourself to work on your resume to make sure you are prepared for an upcoming review, promotion, or even new role!