Today's harsh economic realities have forced many longtime employees into the job market again, dusting off resumes for the first time in years. As thousands of new candidates vie for a dwindling number of positions, recruiters are increasingly turning to talent management technology to help narrow the applicant pool and find the best candidates for open positions. In this competitive job-seeking environment, applicants need to make sure that now more than ever, their resumes stand out from the pack and they are using every outlet available to them including social networks.
Some resume tips are as valuable today as they were 20 years ago, but new recruiting methods have added another layer of critical tips that job seekers should use when updating their resume.
Guest author Brian Platz, executive vice president and chief operating officer of SilkRoad technology, a leading talent management solution provider, shares his resume writing tips for customizing, formatting, prioritizing, and avoiding gaps, along with advice on how to make sure your resume measures up, so it's competitive in a tough job market.
Image Copyright Amanda Rohde
Interesting article. I definitely need to go look at the formatting of my resume as many times I’ve had to re-do it just so it can fit into an html form. I wonder if these changes are actually necessary if one sends a resume via e-mail (attached pdf or word Doc).
A question regarding Platz’s advice on time gaps. I took a 4 month trip after graduating to see most of East Asia, but have not previously considered inserting it into the resume. Couldn’t this gap be addressed in an interview? I think that including this experience would appear too unprofessional to include, if my only motivation is simply to avoid being flagged by an automated reader.
Too many people still ignore the compelling aspect of simplicity for an employer – make the resume clear and easy to read and you’re really on the way. Fluff be gone.
If your resume is easy to read then you will are much more likely to get an interview. Employers are pressed for time are want to know you have what they are looking for. Read the advert, take note of keywords and place them in your resume. Easy and it works.