4 Resume Tips if COVID-19 Is Making You Rethink Your Career

0

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an extreme impact on people’s work and careers. 

So many people are hurting right now. And, for many, work is on the forefront of people’s minds. 

Whether it’s anxiety about lack of work, stress about too much work, or the realization that your current job just doesn’t align with your life priorities–this time of quarantine and mandated business closure has given people a lot of space (pun intended) to reflect on their careers. 

Now is a great time to revamp your resume.

Many companies and industries are still hiring during the COVID-19 crisis. 

But even if the jobs you’re most interested in aren’t available right now, it’s still a great idea to get your resume in tip-top shape. 

That way, when jobs are posted, you’ll be ready. 

Since so many people’s jobs have been disrupted, we can expect the competition to be significant once the economy starts opening back up. 

Preparing yourself to stand out from the competition by using this time to create a resume that showcases your professional and personal attributes is a smart move!

If you’re feeling ready to work towards your next career opportunity, here are four tips for creating a stellar resume. 

4 resume writing tips

1. Follow A Simple, Standard Resume Format

Many organizations use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to manage their hiring process. Essentially, an ATS is a software system that is the first set of “eyes” on a resume when you submit it. It looks for specific things on your resume and analyzes it for keywords and indicators that you’re a good match for the job you applied for. 

A lot of people worry about ATSs and blame them when they don’t hear back from jobs they apply for. But in reality, creating an ATS-compliant resume is quite straightforward. 

Here are the basics:

  • Use a standard resume format, such as one of these. Don’t try to be too fancy
  • Use standard resume headings, such as Summary, Skills, Work Experience & Education
  • Use exact keywords as you see them in the job posting (more on this in tip #2).

Your resume should look great, but in the sense of being well-designed and organized. In most cases, your resume is not where you want to showcase your creative flair. Doing so could make your resume get sorted into the wrong pile if the ATS isn’t able to interpret it. 

2. Compile & Use the Best Keywords

It is essential that your resume is tailored to the specific job you are applying for. How do you do that? By studying the job posting.

I recommend that you copy the text of the job posting and paste it in a document so that you can edit it. Then follow these steps:

  1. Highlight all verbs and skills that you read. Examples of verbs are, “coordinate, analyze, research, manage, oversee, etc.” Examples of skills would be, “process improvement, cross-departmental collaboration, customer service, project management, mentorship, etc.”
  2. Note which of your past experiences have demonstrated the skills and knowledge you highlighted in the job posting
  3. Rephrase the content of your resume to use the exact keywords and phrases the job posting uses, but with your personal examples 

Be sure to only use keywords that represent your experience and knowledge honestly. Also, make sure you use the verbs and skills appropriately, so it doesn’t look like you’re simply “keyword stuffing” your resume. 

3. Keep Your Resume Focused & Concise

For every job you include on your resume, you should have a minimum of two bullet points, and a maximum of 6 bullet points to describe your achievements and experience gained in that role. 

Ideally, a resume should be just one-page long. If you have a significant amount of professional experience, two-pages is okay. But don’t go beyond that unless specified in the job posting. 

Only include information that clearly relates to the position you are applying for. It’s always great to have additional experiences to highlight in your cover letter and a future interview to show your depth of knowledge.

4. Write Your Professional Summary Last, Using These Tips

Please don’t use generic professional summary or resume “objective” language. The key to a great resume is removing everything that doesn’t directly link you to the position. 

I recommend writing the professional summary last so that you can identify what information is missing from connecting you to the job you want. 

  • Write the professional summary with the hiring manager and organization in mind. Make it about what you can offer them, not what they can offer you. (Hint: don’t say, “seeking new opportunities.”) 
  • If you’re changing careers, make connections between your past industry experience and the new industry you want to enter
  • Highlight both your technical skills and soft skills, with a focus on how they’ve led to professional success 

By following these steps, you can create a resume that makes you proud and leads to interviews. Cheers to you on your career journey!

Psst! I’m hosting an online, virtual event called RENOVATE that RESUME Bootcamp this week (April 9, 10 & 11) to help people create a top-tier professional resume. Complete with resume templates, personalized feedback, and a LinkedIn audit to help you put your best foot forward. Learn more & register here!

Renovate that Resume Bootcamp


About Our Guest Blogger, Jennifer Spoelma

Jennifer Spoelma HeadshotJennifer Spoelma is a career coach, author, and owner of Albuquerque Career Coaching. It’s her joy to help people transform their lives by building aligned & successful careers.

Learn how to revamp your resume in her upcoming RENOVATE that RESUME Bootcamp starting Thursday, April 9!