5 Resume Tips For Better CV
5 Things to Change on Your Resume
With time, the needs of the labour market change. It is up to us, as active participants of the Canadian labour market, to stay updated on these changes and what they mean for job seekers. The resume is one factor that undergoes major redevelopments as new needs are introduced into the Labour market. In this article, you will learn about 5 key elements that need to be revamped on your resume to better suit you to contemporary hiring needs.
1. Format
We’re living in the days of ATS and artificial intelligence. With machines and algorithms doing most of the resume screening process, you will want to make sure your resume isn’t discarded based on avoidable technicalities. Make sure your resume is a PDF, and omit any unnecessary images that may tamper with the text.
2. Keywords
On the same note as tailoring your resume to be legible to all ATS, make sure to include as many relevant keywords as possible. Yes, include as many as you can. No, there is no such thing as too many keywords. If “PHP, Javascript, and Google Cloud Platform” all come up on the job description, and you just so happen to have experience with all three – include all three on your resume! Bonus points if you type them out in bold print or highlight them.
3. Professional Networking Platforms
The digital age is not new, and neither are networking platforms. However, professional networking platforms have become more valuable in aiding job seekers find their next roles and recruiters find their next rockstar candidates. So, treat your digital professional profile with the same care and diligence as your resume. List out your roles and achievements in chronological order and don’t forget to update the information as you move from one role to the next.
4. Accomplishments
Your accomplishments can make your resume stand out from a pile of several-hundred resumes. Start your accomplishment statements with action words, like “organized,” “created,” “managed,” “completed,” or “supervised.” Quantify your accomplishments wherever you can. That means if your efficiency saved your employers a grand sum of money on a project, specifically note the complete amount of money that was saved by your efforts on your resume. Accomplishment-based statements are no place to practice humility. Here is your chance to brag about the great things you have done for a company!
5. Ditching the Hobbies
Hobbies used to be a great way for employers to get a look into how a candidate might fit into the culture of an organization. Hobbies are also strategically used by job seekers to showcase desirable qualities they may have outside of a professional environment. For example, listing chess as a hobby might suggest that the candidate is methodical and strategic. Listing yoga as a hobby might let recruiters know that the candidate is able to remain calm under pressure, and sports suggest a team-player. The good news is that including a list of hobbies won’t cost you any points. The great news is that not including a list of hobbies also won’t cost you any points. Most recruiters are indifferent to this section, so if your resume is running long or you can’t think of the perfect hobby – skip it!