How to Make Your Resume Stand Out in 2022
With more candidates than jobs, it’s more important than ever that your resume stands out and catches the eye of hiring managers & recruiters. Remember, first impressions matter and in the job search, that is often your resume.
It’s time to leave unique fonts, wacky colors and headshots behind (headshots are only for LinkedIn, not on your resume - unless you’re looking to get cast in the next big blockbuster of course). By following these tips, your resume will stand out for all the *right* reasons - you know, for who you are and your capabilities.
So, let’s kick this off to help you land that interview!
^How that recruiter will look after they review your resume following these tips!
Resume Tips for 2022
Formatting, formatting, formatting.
*Say it louder for the people in the back* Format. Is. everything. Leave behind the wacky colors, the unique fonts, photos, cute images/emojis, and even tables. Your resume needs to be in a straightforward format. Opt for a clean layout with a classic sans serif font (you can play with different sizes & weights for headings). Sometimes the ATS (applicant tracking system) can’t read unique additions to resumes (like images & tables) and a clean layout keeps the reader’s attention longer.Update your experience.
Be bold in highlighting your experience and resilience! How have you dealt with change and managed your time over the strangest two-year period most of us have experienced? Have you helped retain employees or piloted the new hybrid-work environment? Add metrics to give context and scope. Did you plan an event for 30 or 3,000 people? Was the budget $100 or $10k? And remember to focus on the impact you made - your resume should read more like a highlight reel versus a to-do list!Customize your keywords & skills.
Review the job description, the company’s website, and even their social media to pick up on whether certain keywords are being used repeatedly. These could be hints at the keywords and skills that they are looking for in candidates and you can properly incorporate them into your resume to help you stand out from the crowd.
Know what to leave off of your resume.
"While an employment gap was previously an automatic disqualifier for some recruiters, now, employers are getting with the times and realizing there are many reasons for these gaps (some are actually protected by law). If you've been away from the workplace for a bit it’s worth showing how you’ve stayed active and up on the current practices/trends with certifications and continuing education. However, you need to be discerning with the rest of your content, too. Leave off your home address, your photo, and avoid the temptation to list every job you’ve ever had - they want to see what’s relevant to the job you’ll be doing, not everything you’ve done since high school.
Resume Bonus Tips:
Be sure your email is a professional email - not the one you probably created at 13 (yes, I’m looking at you QTPie and HotMama - we’ve all had them)
Save the document as a PDF to preserve the formatting & to ensure there are no accidental edits
Change the file name to “Your First Last Name - Resume”, no “version” or any silliness. This ensures the hiring team can find it easily.
The best time to update your resume is when you’ve had a great day! Check out this reel for tips!
If you’re ready to feel confident that your resume will fly through the Applicant Tracking System + have all the recruiters pushing you to the front of the list, make sure you check out our H.I.R.E M.E. Course!
