A couple of weeks ago, we posted about how January is a great time to find a job. It’s also a great time to refresh your resume with any recent experience and to give it a general onceover. When you do, you’re likely to find relics of job searches gone by. Outdated resume features can seriously hinder your chances of landing the job you want in North Carolina.
Five Things to Watch Out For
1. Your Address
Checking the address at the head of your resume may have you thinking, “Oh wow, I haven’t lived there for years.” But we’re not talking about correcting an old address – we’re suggesting you remove it entirely. If this seems drastic, consider that postal mail has decreased in volume by 41% over the last 16 years. Keep your resume’s contact information limited to a phone number and a professional-sounding email (no DoctorChucklesFTW@email.com, please). If you want to go an extra step, you can provide a link to your LinkedIn page.
2. Your Objective
Much like address, this once-crucial resume feature should be eliminated, not updated. For one thing, your cover letter is a much better place, to sum up what you’re looking for and what you can bring to a job. For your resume, replace the objective or “statement of purpose” with a summary of your experience and accomplishments.
3. Too Much Text – Or Too Little
If your resume is crammed with text, it might overwhelm recruiters and hiring managers who read it. Plus, filling the page with words can make your resume look outdated and unprofessional. Instead, use bullet points and headings to organize your content. You may want to consider adding visual elements like a photo or some subtle lines and borders. On the other hand, too many visual frills and stylistic embellishments can make your resume look like an antique from the dawn of desktop publishing. Look for a good balance.
4. References
Over the past few years, as background checks and other forms of candidate research have become more sophisticated, resume consultants have gone from suggesting a robust reference list to the cursory “references available on request.” Now, mentioning references at all on your resume is passé.
5. A ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ Approach
This last item isn’t something that appears on your resume; rather, it’s a resume strategy itself that’s outdated. If you only have one resume, and it lists every job you’ve ever had, you’re doing it wrong. Replace a bloated single resume that could overwhelm hiring managers with a fleet of resumes that have different areas of focus that depend on the type of job you’re seeking. That level of specificity will make your pitch to employers more effective.
Mega Force Can Help You Market Yourself
Job hunting in North Carolina is a lot less stressful when you have Mega Force in your corner. Not only do we connect quality candidates with the right jobs, but we also offer resources to help your resumes and applications present yourself in the best light. Take a look at our job portal to get started.
