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Update Resume: 5 Fast and Easy Resume Tips

DKrunner | Jun 7, 2010 |

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These suggestions address the most common resume errors that people commit. Here are some initial suggestions to update your resume fast:

*Ditch the resume objective. Most employers will toss a resume with "objections"; it's redundant. If you really want a chance to talk about the workplace skills applicable to the position you're applying for, write a cover letter. The bonus is that that gives you more room on your resume to talk about your specific skills and past workplace accomplishments. Think of it this way; how many people really turn in a job application that aren't "looking for long term employment with an employer" they can grow with? Leave the obvious off of your professional resume and you will be more likely to get a response from employers.

*Leave references off of a resume. Employers will ask you to bring references to an interview. Again, this means that you gain more valuable resume real estate to talk up your skill set. Be ready with a professionally formatted list of references should you be called in for a job interview.

*Fill in the gaps; don't leave unaddressed blank spots on your resume. It's important to not leave large slots of time unaccounted for on a resume and you should not undervalue the fact that you were a reliable employee for previous employers, even if those jobs are unlike the ones you are currently pursuing.

*Do include your education, but tailor the education you list on your resume specifically to your situation's relevance. Make short mention of holding a high school diploma (you do not need to put the year you graduated) only if that is the only schooling that you completed. If you have a college degree, leave off the high school information in lieu of what you studied and possibly, if you held a high enough GPA, your grade point average.

It could be as simple as:

AWU: BA in Sociology

Or

Great Lakes High School
High School Diploma

*Another quick resume fix that significantly increases your chances of landing a job interview is to use more commanding language in your resume. For example, if you were in charge of the opening and closing of your office, don't say "open and closed clinic". These particular responsibilities mean a number of things about you as employee in terms of accountability and trustworthiness, and in your resume, you should really build on that. Visit the website ONET.com and use the "occupation search" toolbar on the right to look up job titles similar to the ones you've held in order to gain a wealth of resume language and verbiage that can boost your job search. When you click on a career, it gives you loads of helpful action words that you can transfer to your resume. For example, try this job title (at ONET): Medical Secretary. Pull action words from a list like these to make your resume stronger.

These quick resume updates will attract and capture the attention of employers. Remember to tailor your resume specifically for each different job that you apply for.