12 Nov Job-seeker tips: Time for a resume refresher?
When did you last look at your resume? We mean really look at it?
If it’s been a while, or if you’re gearing up your job search for holiday season (and remember, this is a great time to look for work!), here are some quick tips and resources to refresh the most important document in your job-search portfolio:
Our top nine resume refreshers:
- If you have education beyond high school, leave your high school information off.
- If you’re a recent graduate, move your educational information to the top under your professional summary.
- If a professional certification is not relevant to your targeted position, leave it off.
- If applicable, don’t forget to mention your veteran status under your work experience.
- If you were promoted, add that as the last bullet.
- Use action verbs instead of “responsible for.”
- Create a scanable resume without “bells and whistles” (no bold, italics or bullets).
- Keep your resume to two pages (an exception is a technical resume).
- Limit your employment history to 10 to 15 years.
Our top seven resume resources:
- “4 resume blunders that drive recruiters crazy”
- “Top 10 Tips for Resume Greatness”
- “45 quick changes that help your resume get noticed”
- “The 5 best fonts to use on your resume”
- “Why Your LinkedIn Profile Is More Compelling Than Your Resume”
- “185 Powerful Verbs That Will Make Your Resume Awesome”
- Resume templates: templates for entry level, functional and chronological resumes are available in Microsoft Word by clicking on the File tab, then New, then typing “resume” in the search box.
Verna Wade has served as an employment consultant with NCWorks for 14 years. Her roles have included providing employment services, Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and Trade Adjustment ACT (TAA) case management, counseling and workshop presentations. Wade offers experience in employee relations, background investigations and training and serves as a facilitator for Working Smart: Soft Skills for Workplace Success. She is a board member of the International Association of Workforce Professionals, immediate past president of the N.C. Association of Workforce Professionals, treasurer of the District 12 State Employees Association of N.C. and a notary public.
Daena Spencer is a human resources (HR) professional with a passion for coaching, developing and mentoring others. She brings more than15 years of corporate experience and training, including as a Bank of America recruiter/HR advisor and manager. Spencer left the bank in 2002 to become a career counselor at New Horizons Computer Learning Center in Charlotte, N.C. She then served as an academic advisor at Montreat College in Montreat, N.C., before joining NCWorks in Charlotte, N.C. Spencer holds a master of arts degree in HR development and is a part-time adjunct instructor.
Wade and Spencer are stationed at the NCWorks Career Center at 5601 Executive Center Drive (28212).
Need more help? Register on NCWorks Online to attend one of our Resume Development workshops!