If you want to land your perfect job in 2024, you need to get your resume in perfect shape. What works this year might be different to what worked ten years ago, so if you’re looking for a new job you probably need to refine your resume and get it up to date. Here are five tips for landing your dream job this year.
Don’t put everything on your resume
Sure, you’re trying to impress the hiring manager with everything you have done over the years, but that doesn’t mean it all has to go in your resume. Not every single experience or qualification needs to be added, and that quick job you did over a summer break is more than likely not relevant at all. While it’s good to show your range of skills, don’t be tempted to throw them all in and rather stick to the ones that are the most relevant to the job you are applying for.
Put the most relevant information first
Always focus on the job you are applying for, and make sure that any experience or qualifications you have for this job are stated early on. The hiring manager focuses more on the first page of the resume than the rest, so be sure to highlight your skills here first. If you’re someone who has had a lot of jobs over the years, don’t feel like you must include all of them. You could always have a list of previous jobs at the end or on the side without getting into too many details. Use your resume to rather go into more detail about your most current and most relevant jobs.
Don’t get too fancy
It can be tempting to go for the biggest and brightest fonts and add in logos and icons to make your resume stand out, but this can often work against you. Keep your resume clean, simple, and professional, and if you’re going for a creative job, you can find smaller and more subtle ways of showing your creativity. At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is how right you are for the job, not how unique your resume looks.
Be aware of the ATS
Many companies are using the ATS, which stands for Applicant Tracking System, to help them manage the huge amount of resumes they receive. But if your resume isn’t tailored to meet the requirements of the ATS, it might never be seen. Click here if you want more information on how to create a resume that is ATS-friendly.
Don’t forget your cover letter
A cover letter is a fantastic place to sum up who you are and why you want the job in a way that your resume simply doesn’t have the space for. The cover letter can showcase a bit more of your personality and give you the opportunity to really sell yourself. Remember to format the cover letter well, and to include all your contact details. Look through the job description of the job you are applying for and remember to use the main keywords in your cover letter to show why you are the right person for the job.
Giving Your CV A Face Lift With Resume Stylist
Your resume is often your first point of contact with an employer, so it’s essential to have it right. However, a format that you might deem to be visually appealing may actually work against you. If you’re looking for assistance with presenting yourself and your skills in the best possible light, the good news is that there is a solution.
Your resume is the most important self-marketing tool you’ll have access to, so ensuring that you have the right information to help guide you can be a gamechanger. At Resume Stylist, our success is directly linked to yours. As such, we’re aiming to be a resource to help you craft your narrative into a strategic document designed to help you land the job of your dreams.
