This post is part of a ten-part series on Mastering Your Job Search in 10 Essential Steps.
Often writing or updating your resume is the first step people take when starting a job search. Though it is an important step be sure to visit the previous steps in Mastering Your Job Search in 10 Essential Steps.
Fundamentally resumes have changed very little over the past several decades as the goal of showcasing skills and experiences in an easily readable format remains the same. There are, however, new tools being used to review and select resumes which makes the process of writing a resume much more advanced.
In this post, we’ll cover resume fundamentals and innovative methods for creating a resume that highlights your distinct qualifications and incorporates the keywords that employers are actively seeking.
Watch Video: Research Your Career Field
Using keywords and AI for your resume can significantly improve your chances of getting noticed by recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Listen to this episode on your favorite podcast player:
Resume Basics
Contact Information
- Your name as you want to be referred to professionally
- Your name is 2-4 points larger than all other resume text
- City, ST (no longer need to include street address)
- Phone number with area code
- Email address and LinkedIn profile link
Objective or Background Summary
Include either an Objective or Background summary that clearly states your goal. The reader needs context for what they are reading your resume. This should tell the reader what you are seeking.
- An Objective stating your career goal with a few skills
- A Background Summary gives a brief overview of your work history and your career goal
Skill Highlights
Think about three to five skills you possess that are most related to the positions you are seeking. Start each bullet statement with a theme and share how you have gained, used, or demonstrated skills within those areas.
Experience
- Each experience includes:
- Job title
- Organization Name
- Location of organization (city, state)
- Date (e.g., month, year OR semester, year)
- Bulleted action word statements with clear and concise descriptions of skills and accomplishments; use past tense
Experience Sections
Create different experience sections that showcase your skill areas. Group related experiences together. Some examples are:
- Strategic Planning Experience
- Leadership Experience
- Volunteer Experience
- Marketing Experience
Consider adding an Other Work Experience section for jobs that aren’t related to your objective yet show dependability and longevity. If you add this section bulleted statements are not required
List experience in reverse chronological order, most recent first, within each section, and order bulleted action word statements in order of relevance to your objective. Bullets begin with action verbs that vary throughout. Separate experience sections are strategically used to highlight relevant skills
Additional Content
- There may be reasons to add other sections such as
- Honors and/or awards
- Certifications and/or licenses
- Community Activities
- Languages and level of verbal and written proficiency (native speaker, fluent, proficient, conversant)
- Computer/Technical skills (software, hardware, social media) and level of proficiency
For these sections, include at least two items. If these are education-related, add them under the education section as appropriate.
Interests are only included when relevant to your objective.
Overall Appearance
Remember that most likely your resume will either be read by AI by or people more advanced in their careers. Depending on the number of resumes submitted for a single position, any reason to move on to the next will be taken. Having an error-free resume is essential.
These tips can help your resume get moved on to the next step:
- Font size measures between 10 point and 12 point
- Font choices are basic and easy to read with variations in font size consistent and used for emphasis
- Resume is written in the third person using no personal pronouns
- Periods are unnecessary in bulleted action word statements but may be used in an objective or background summary
Resume Writing Worksheet
Use this worksheet to guide you through writing or reviewing your resume.
Optimizing for Applicant Tracking Systems
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems or ATS, to filter through resumes based on specific keywords related to the job description. By incorporating relevant keywords from the job posting into your resume, you increase the likelihood of your resume making it through the initial screening process.
Using keywords effectively can give you a competitive advantage over other candidates by demonstrating your familiarity with industry-specific terminology and concepts. Customizing your resume for each position using the keywords listed in the position description shows employers your interest and dedication to each position.
Getting Started with Keywords
- Search for job titles that interest you using Indeed.com, LinkedIn.com, or your favorite job search site
- Find a position opening and review the job description
- Highlight all the skills and requirements listed in the job description that you believe you possess. Only choose those skills and requirements that you could demonstrate or give examples for in an interview.
- Incorporate every single one of the items you highlighted into your resume
- You can do this by adding Action Word Phrases under the appropriate positions and/or in your Skill Highlights Section
Applicant tracking systems parse resumes to extract relevant information. AI tools can help optimize your resume’s format and structure to ensure compatibility with ATS algorithms, increasing the chances of your resume being read by human recruiters.
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence Tools
Keywords help highlight your relevant skills, experience, and qualifications for the position. Using AI tools can assist in identifying the most appropriate keywords based on the job description and industry standards.
Generative AI or Artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, is a tool that lets users enter prompts to receive humanlike images, text, or videos. The public’s opinion on using generative AI can vary widely depending on factors such as familiarity with the technology, its applications, and ethical considerations.
I consider AI just one more person “in the room” to bounce ideas off of. I like to use it to ask questions. No matter your feelings about AI, using it to enhance your resume might be something for you to consider.
How to use generative AI for writing your resume
- Generate keywords or skill areas by copying and pasting job descriptions into a platform and asking one or more of these prompts:
- What are the keywords for this position?
- What are the main skill areas of this position?
- See how your resume aligns with a particular job description by copying and pasting job descriptions, along with your resume, into a platform and using this prompt:
- How does my resume align with this position?
Once you get started with AI, you might find additional ways to use it in your job search. Additional uses might include researching a company, interview preparation, questions for interviewers, proofreading your resume + cover letter, finding alternative job titles, or writing your LinkedIn profile.
Parting Thoughts
Crafting a resume involves understanding both the timeless basics and the innovative techniques tailored to the modern job market. While the core elements of a resume remain consistent, leveraging tools like AI and optimizing for Applicant Tracking Systems can give you a competitive edge in today’s competitive job landscape.
Stay tuned for the next installment in our series on Mastering Your Job Search, where we’ll delve into another essential aspect of navigating the job market with confidence. Until then, keep honing your skills, adapting to industry trends, and seizing every opportunity to showcase your unique qualifications. Your next career milestone could be just a resume away.
Resources for Crafting Your Resume
- Generative AI
- Resume Writing Worksheet
- Watch Video:
- Listen to the Podcast:
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