5 More Ways to Keep Your Resume Love Alive

If your resume needs some TLC, give it a little affection. Here are 5 more ways to keep your resume love alive.

Don’t Forget the Accomplishments

This is one of the biggest mistakes made when writing your own résumé. Jobseekers can feel uncomfortable highlighting their contributions, but it’s important to “toot your own horn” by documenting specific accomplishments that demonstrate the value you offer to your next employer — quantified with numbers, dollars, and percentages whenever possible.

Don’t “Set It and Forget It”

Your résumé should be updated regularly. At a minimum, review it at least once a year to add new accomplishments, training, and certifications. Being ready to apply for a great opportunity right away — or send a résumé to be considered for an unadvertised opportunity — is an advantage.

Don’t Take Résumé Advice from Family and Friends

Everyone has an opinion about résumés — but the only one that matters is the hiring manager for the specific job you’re pursuing. So, while you can solicit input on your career documents, remember that most of the feedback you’ll get is an opinion, not a fact. Well-meaning friends and family can often give you outdated advice (“Your résumé should only be one page”) because they don’t keep up with current research on the job search. When working with a résumé writer, ask questions, but remember that you’ve hired a professional for a reason. Trust their judgment.

Make It Easy to Get Ahold of You

Be sure to include your best phone number to be reached on the résumé. (Usually, this is a cell phone, not a home number.) Make sure your voicemail is set up (a personal message is better than a recording of the number or “this caller is unavailable”) and make sure there is space available to leave a message. (One big pet peeve of recruiters and hiring managers is calling an applicant and not being able to leave a message.) Include a good email (not your current work email or a “cutesy” email.) If necessary, set up a free Gmail account for your job search specifically. Include your social media handles on your résumé (but make sure you’ve scrubbed them of anything controversial). And include a link to your LinkedIn profile URL.

Don’t Rely on the Résumé Alone

The résumé is just one tool in your job search arsenal. Other career documents you should have include: an updated LinkedIn profile, a cover letter template (that you can customize for the specific position you’re targeting), a networking letter, a list of your references, a thank you letter template, a biography, and a 30-60-90-day template. And, have a job search plan to guide your daily and weekly actions!

Of course, one of the best ways to avoid making mistakes on your résumé is working with a professional résumé writer on your résumé, career documents, and overall job search!