If you haven’t updated your resume in a while, now is a great time to jump on it! But depending on the industry you work in, you might not be sure what needs updating. Here are a few tips to refresh your resume for 2022.
Skills
One of the best ways to refresh your resume, and boost your chances of landing the position you want, is to update your skills section. It’s important to tweak this section every time you apply, as many employers now use keyword matching software to filter resumes. But you can start with a basic list of skills. Let’s say you work in an Industrial/Manufacturing role – Depending on your experience, skills might include such things as:
- Hand tools
- Production work
- Assembly line
- Safety standards
Don’t forget about your soft skills. These transfer across all positions and industries, as they make you a better overall worker and team member. Examples include:
- Communication
- Leadership
- Time management
- Organization
Experience
Be sure that your resume includes your current or most recent job. Go through this section carefully to make sure you’re listing your accomplishments rather than your job duties. For example, you might say “Oversaw a production line of 15 employees” rather than “Shift lead.”
Education
Based on your line of work, you may or may not have a traditional educational background such as college. But you could have earned certifications that are relevant to the position you want. Depending on your background, these may include such items as:
- Welding
- Forklift operation
- Safety training
Be sure to list the full name of the certification, along with where and when you earned it. If it’s something that needs periodic renewal, list your most recent renewal date. Be sure to include any traditional education you received as well. Many companies are open to a degree, certification, or a combination of relevant education and work experience when recruiting candidates.
Summary or Objective Statement
At the top of your resume, add either a summary or an objective statement. A summary highlights the most impressive parts of your resume, explaining what you’ve done to this point. An objective statement explains what you want to do in the future (make sure it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for). Whichever you choose, keep it brief. This section should be no more than three sentences long.
Contact Information
Double-check that your contact information is up to date. List a professional-sounding email address, but don’t use one that was assigned by your current employer. You no longer need to list your address, but if you do, it should be just your city and state. Include your LinkedIn or other social media site only if it is completely filled out, entirely professional, and designed to showcase your work accomplishments. Otherwise, leave it off.
It’s pretty easy to refresh your resume. Doing so at least once a year can help boost your chances of landing the job you want!
Looking for a New Position?
If you’re ready for your next career move, let The Resource put our experience to work for you. Through the entire hiring process, we’re here to help you find and land just the right position. Apply online or call your local office to get started.