It’s that time again, time to dust off your resume and update it as you have decided it’s time to make your next career move. But where do you start? Do you need to invest hundreds of dollars and pay someone to update it for you so it looks professional? The answer is No.
In my opinion, less is more. I remember back in the day of working as a Consultant in London where anything, which was more than 1-2 pages, wouldn’t even warrant a read!
Now, and in Australia, it’s not so bad but here are 5 key steps to ensure your resume serves its purpose – to get you in front:
- Less is more.
Leave off your address, date of birth, children’s and pets names and keep it simple to start.
Phone Number
LinkedIn Profile link
Keep it 2 – 4 pages ideally and remember; the purpose of the resume is to grab someone’s attention and get you that interview.
That’s it.
- Keep your personal statement short, sharp and to the point.
Throw in some key words such as hardworking, tenacious and has a strong work ethic, mention how many years’ experience in your chosen field you have and reference some previous companies if they are worth mentioning. Do not give a complete overview of the resume in which your prospective employer is about to read, leave something exciting for them to find as they read.
- When giving an overview of your work history keep it at just that, an overview. If you are applying for a role as an accounts assistant, then for the most part, your prospective employer will know your daily routine, if you are currently working in a similar position. Use bullet points to cover key responsibilities and make sure to mention anything left of field or any responsibilities you may have had that were more senior than the role would typically be. Answering the phone is not one of them.
- Education. Include your qualification, where you studied and the year in which you studied. You do not need to list the high school you went to (unless you are applying for your first ever job).
- References. Lastly, available on request is fine, unless you have been specifically asked for them in the initial stages. Usually, they’re requested after you have met with someone for an interview.
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