How to Make Your Resume Shine in 2022

How to Make Your Resume Shine in 2022

Remote work is a standard operating procedure these days as many people work from home and many companies now consider it the new norm. Others struggle to deal with layoffs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic or belong to the growing number of workers who have quit their jobs recently.

Regardless of which boat you’re in, it’s probably high time to give your resume a polish.

Tip: Remote work accomplishments should be highlighted

The sudden change to remote work hasn’t been a smooth transition. Traditional management methods may not quite fit and some employers have struggled with this change. There’s a real market for people with remote management experience since it’s a skillset many employers are finding themselves desperately in need of. Whether your position is in-person or not make sure to mention accomplishments related to managing employees or teams remotely.  

1. Pick a classic resume format and font

When referring to resume writing opt for a clean layout, format and design. Try using the F-pattern and E-pattern layouts when refreshing your resume, these templates mimic how our eyes scan a web page and hold a recruiter’s attention for a longer period than those aligned down the center, or from right to left.

Tip: Create an ATS-friendly resume

ATS isn’t foolproof, which means there are some things you want to avoid. Don’t use downloaded fonts or special characters, stick to simple formatting in Word or Google Docs (or download a free ATS-ready resume template), and always save your resume as a pdf unless the application instructions specify otherwise.

2. Don’t be afraid to go bold.

If you’re applying for a financial investment job, a hot-pink resume probably won’t be the most appropriate but subtle pops of colour, will work for just about anyone.

Of course, the material you include on your resume is another way to make it stand out. You'll gain extra credit in 2022 for emphasizing your tenacity. How did you handle change and manage your time during the weirdest two years most of us have ever known? Have you kept your employees engaged and reduced turnover? In a hybrid work environment, when teammates now live in various cities and possibly even different time zones, how can business culture be shaped?

3. Add a section with bullet points for skills.

Skip the resume objective (no one cares what you're "looking for") and skip straight to the highlights. Critical keywords and a concise summary of your major strengths should appear at the beginning of your resume. Bullet points are a good choice since they stick out even when someone is browsing through your resume.

Hard talents (concrete, easily evaluated traits) also take importance here, so emphasize them appropriately. Employers want to see software and programming experience on your CV if you work in a tech-related sector. Design and communication abilities may be your best bet if you work in the creative business.

This is another chance to demonstrate how you've helped your firm "disperse change" since the pandemic began. Tech abilities that show you've learned anything new about the internet, even if it's simply with Zoom and Slack, are acceptable.

4. Demonstrate how you have an impact.

Use action verbs ("created," "spearheaded," "executed") where applicable to list your relevant professional experience in reverse chronological order.

Don't merely list your previous positions. You'll need to emphasize some specific "wins" to show you're worth a hiring manager's time. Statistics that build on your capabilities section are the most powerful - bonus points if they show a track record of growth, income, and profitability.

If you're stuck, possibly include résumé abilities that can assist the organization in resolving a "problem area”. Impact does not necessarily have to be assessed by measurements. Anything that indicates success can work, for instance, cultural improvements, special projects, and customer growth.

Keep it brief and sweet — don't try to cram in as many initiatives and obligations as a possible chevalier.

Concentrate on a few crucial points." "Make it a 'best of collection."

5. Important keywords should be added and tweaked.

Don't make the mistake of sending the same generic resume to each job application. Instead, spend a few extra minutes matching it to the ad's keywords and phrases. You'll be far more likely to advance to the next round of interviews, especially if an application tracking system (a computer software used to screen candidates) is involved.

Rather than squeezing as many keywords as possible into your communication or repeating the same words repeatedly – you'll end up sounding like a bot. However, try to match the job description's phrasing as closely as possible.

Another suggestion: If you're going to cast a wide net by posting a generic resume to your LinkedIn or Indeed site, make sure it's suited to the primary job you want, and then update your keywords when applying for jobs that aren't typical.

6. Understand what to exclude from your resume.

As a result of the pandemic, millions of employees lost their jobs, and many are still looking for work today.

The silver side is that as a result, companies have been forced to relax certain antiquated recruiting practices. The most notable? Job seekers with a significant employment gap on their résumé, which was long considered a major red flag, are now receiving a pass.

If your job was lost as a result of COVID layoffs, it's important to demonstrate how you've stayed active and updated your abilities in the interim, whether through professional certification, virtual webinars, or other means.

With the rest of the content, use caution: No wage requirements, infographics, or photos should be included. If you're looking for a remote position or want to persuade a hiring manager to consider a remote candidate, you can also leave off your home address.

Finally, resist the urge to list every job you've ever had.

The resume is a high-level summary of your qualifications, experience, and achievements. They're more likely to miss essential duties if a hiring manager has to read through a big one.

Anything else should be saved for the cover letter.