Senior Managing Editor for Jobs & Career Development at LinkedIn News
Your resume is the first impression you give to potential employers. Despite its importance, few people like working on their resume. Founder of CV Labs Ana Lokotkova shared her expert resume advice on a past episode of my #GetHire podcast. She offered fantastic tips on avoiding common resume mistakes and presenting a compelling professional story.
I summarize some of her top tips below.
Resume Pitfalls to Avoid
One of the biggest resume mistakes is the over-inclusion of information. Including irrelevant details can dilute the focus of your resume. Remember, less can sometimes be more. Carefully read your resume to ensure that every detail you include enhances your credibility as a job candidate.
Crafting an Impactful Summary
Your resume should start with an introduction about who you are and your professional background. However, the summary should go beyond describing who you are. The summary should explain how you can add value to the role you want. Tailor your summary to match the objectives and expectations of the job posting, highlighting relevant pieces from your background.
The Experience Section
Your experience section needs to be organized and easy to read. Avoid listing job tasks without mentioning the outcomes or results. Always quantify your achievements. For example, if you're in sales, instead of simply stating that you made sales, mention how well you performed against targets your employer set for you or your team.
Addressing Ageism in Resumes
Focus on your experiences from the last 10 to 15 years to reduce the risk of ageism. While experiences from over 20 years ago might be the foundation of a successful career, it may no longer be relevant in the current job market. Additionally, you can omit the dates with education and certifications older than 10 years. However, always include dates for your work experiences to show your career progression.
Be Specific and Relevant with Skills
In the skills section of your resume, include only those that are relevant and specific to the job you want. Avoid using generic buzzwords — like leadership and growth mindset — and ensure the skills you list are backed up with accomplishments or results highlighted elsewhere in your resume. Try to match your skills with the job description to help the reader connect the dots.
Other Tips
If you're struggling to identify your strengths, seek feedback from teammates, previous coworkers, and others who worked with you. Their insights could shed light on skills or strengths you may have overlooked.
Also, your resume is just one tool in your toolkit. Don't solely rely on it to get you a job. Utilize other resources such as LinkedIn to increase your visibility and reach more potential employers.
Remember, crafting a solid resume requires clarity, relevance, and a focus on showcasing the value you bring to a role. Be specific, back up your skills with results, and always remember to tailor your resume to the job at hand.
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