Resume best practices are always changing. Keeping up with the spoken (and unspoken) rules and standards can be a challenge.
According to a recent survey of more than 1,500 candidates from Aerotek, nearly 70% of job seekers say their current search is more difficult than their last one.
The heightened competition and evolving landscape of the job market make it even more crucial for your resume to stand out amongst the crowd.
At That’s Good HR, we’re here to guide you through the process and help you create a resume that not only looks professional but also helps your skills, experience, and unique value shine.
So, what are some of the best strategies for crafting a resume that stands out among the competition?
Let’s take a closer look.
Keep Your Resume Simple
When it comes to resume layout, simplicity is key.
As recruiters, we believe in creating clean and easy-to-read resumes that highlight your qualifications and experience without any unnecessary distractions.
Keep in mind that oftentimes many employers use applicant tracking systems to scan resumes before they ever reach human eyes. A simple layout with clear headings and a straightforward structure is more likely to increase the chance of your resume being seen by a hiring manager.
Craft a Professional Resume
It’s no secret that the 2024 job market is competitive. So, how do you ensure that your resume stands out in a sea of applicants?
Keep it professional and refined.
Your resume is your opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and expertise, so it’s crucial to present it in a neat and organized manner. We recommend using a clean and legible font, sticking to a consistent format, and double (or triple) checking for grammar and spelling errors.
For example, fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri are popular choices, as they are widely recognized and easy to read.
Additionally, bullet points, font size, and margin width should be consistent to create a cohesive and visually appealing resume. Polishing up your resume not only demonstrates your attention to detail and professionalism, but it allows recruiters to focus on what’s most important – your qualifications and experience.
Showcase Accurate + Reflective Experience
Your resume should be an accurate reflection of your career journey, highlighting your accomplishments, experiences, and qualifications.
But remember, brevity is key!
Provide enough information so potential employers understand you’re qualified for the role, without overwhelming them with unnecessary details.
At That’s Good HR, we suggest tailoring your resume to the job you’re applying for, focusing on the experiences and accomplishments that are most relevant to the job posting.
2024 Resume Do’s and Don’ts
Now that you know the top 3 secrets for crafting a stand-out resume in 2024, let’s dive deeper into these resume do’s and don’ts.
Do: Use Bullet Points
Utilizing bullet points is an impactful way to make your resume more scannable and easily digestible. Avoid lengthy paragraphs as they can make your resume appear cluttered and difficult to navigate.
That’s Good HR bonus tip: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb to give a clear and direct insight into your responsibilities and accomplishments.
Here are a few examples of how starting with a strong action verb can provide direct insight into your responsibilities and accomplishments:
- Conducted regular audits to identify and eliminate discrepancies in financial statements, resulting in a 20% reduction in errors.
- Streamlined customer service processes by implementing a new ticket management system, reducing response time by 50%.
- Spearheaded the development of a mobile application, resulting in a 40% increase in user engagement.
Don’t: Incorporate Unnecessary Design Elements
While it may be tempting to add visual interest to your resume, unless you’re applying for a creative-focused role, design elements can make a resume look unprofessional.
Avoid using overly decorative or cursive fonts, your (albeit, beautiful) headshot, icons, or any elements that could clutter your resume.
Remember, readability is key, and if your resume cannot be easily read, it may quickly be discarded or parsed out of order by Applicant Tracking Systems.
Opting for a straightforward layout is usually best to ensure that your qualifications and experiences are accurately captured by both humans and automated systems.
Do: Use White Space
Strategically utilizing white space in your resume can lead to an organized and visually appealing format.
Leave some space between your sections to create a clear and concise layout for the reader. Employing white space can also assist in highlighting the more important information in your resume, such as your core competencies and most significant achievements.
That’s Good HR bonus tip: Use 0.5-1” margins to ensure your resume doesn’t look cramped or unreadable.
Don’t: Include Outdated Job Experience
Leaving job experience off of your resume may feel counterintuitive, but it’s important for several reasons. Including outdated positions can clutter your resume and make it harder for recruiters to focus on your most recent and relevant experience.
Generally, experience beyond the past ten years should not be included to keep the focus on the most relevant work history.
Recruiters are more interested in your recent accomplishments and how they align with the requirements of the job than they are in the summer babysitting job you had when you were 16 for your neighbor’s cousin’s sister. Regardless of the length, the content should be succinct, relevant, and tailored to the specific job you are applying for.
That’s Good HR Walks Alongside You.
If you’re feeling lost in the job market or are unsure how to best showcase your skills, That’s Good HR is here to help.
Our team walks alongside you from unearthing careers in your sweet spot, to giving your resume a voice and so much more.
With our team of expert recruiters, you’ll have the resources and support needed to take that next step in your career with confidence. Don’t hesitate to submit your resume on our website and see how we can help you find that made-for-you job.
