Most resumes could use some improvement. Even if you aren’t necessarily breaking any resume rules, that doesn’t mean that your resume couldn’t use some polish and a little pizzazz. If you’re looking to give your resume a boost, these tips could help.
Get help from a friend.
Have a friend read your resume, then have a conversation together about what your experience and skills are. Have them ask you informal, interview style questions. Then go over your resume together. Did you leave out something really important? For example, did you list that you volunteer but forgot to write that you have a leadership role? Sometimes it’s hardest to write about yourself, and talking to a friend could help you highlight important points that you might have missed.
Rethink order and structure.
Look at lots of resume samples online and from friends. How does yours compare in style? Are theirs more or less readable and easy to scan? Don’t let your resume be one giant block of text—break important points out into bullets and keep things relevant but succinct. When deciding on order or how to group experience, go with what makes the most sense and will be the easiest for another person to understand.
Rewrite, edit, rewrite, edit.
Edit down and eliminate all clutter and unnecessary words. Rewrite to make things more readable and succinct. Remember: Wordy doesn’t make you sound smarter or fancier—it just frustrates the reader. Keep it simple and clear. If your friend reading your resume doesn’t understand something, rewrite it. Whoever reads your resume won’t have the benefit of you sitting there ready to explain, so make everything crystal clear.
Time to update.
How long has it been since you wrote your resume? Many recent graduates list college and school activities at the top, but if you have been working for a few years, it’s time to rethink the order of things. You want to highlight your most relevant experience and accomplishments, not list all your old college activities. Keep honors, scholarships, and, if you desire, your GPA, but lose any other experience that doesn’t directly relate to your current career path. If you have been working a long time, don’t let your resume get too long—keep only what you really need.
Think of your resume as a quick story that sums up your experience. Tell it succinctly in an order that makes sense and you will already have put yourself a head above the rest. Think of everything good hr companies, such as Solvo Global, would be looking for.