What Makes an Effective Résumé?
Looking for a zero-cost way to supercharge your application fast? I got you.
Here are 5 must-haves to ensure an impactful résumé:
Keep reading below for tips on how to make LinkedIn work for you.
Formatting
Your résumé is your first impression; if everything communicates, this should tell the reader how you tackle your work - organized with close attention to detail!
Clean up your headings, bullet points, and fonts to make information easily skimmable and easy to read. Keep this formatting consistent throughout the entire document, and do your best to keep your most recent experience (up to 10 years) on page one.
Summary
This short, engaging paragraph should be right at the top and highlight the essential skills, unique qualifications, and stellar experiences you’re most proud of. Think of this as your written elevator pitch, allowing you to make a solid impact on your reader right off the bat. After you hook ‘em, keep it at about 15 seconds of read time.
You may be wondering if this is the same as an Objective Statement, and the answer is a resounding “no!” Objectives are no longer useful (surprise!). The recruiter knows you’re looking to land this job because you’ve just applied! Put this energy back into crafting an intoxicating elevator pitch summary.
Core Skills
After your summary, round up a dedicated section to showcase your most applicable skills aligned to the role. This is where many of your keywords can sit (to target for the ATS), so do your research before each application!
Tip: Don’t overload this section. It can quickly look like keyword stuffing. You want to pick out a max of eight competencies aligned specifically between your experience and words/phrases in the job description. Pair two similar or congruent skills on one line, then put the list into two columns. This will save you space on the rest of the document and still pass through the ATS.
For more about keyword targeting for applicant tracking systems (ATS), head to the Remind Me… What’s an ATS? post to learn more.
Professional Experience
Yes! Then, you should jump right into all of your stellar accomplishments. This should be no more than 25% down the page and in reverse chronological order (please!).
Include job titles, companies, locations, and employment dates. The corresponding bullets below each role should clearly and concisely highlight your achievements, responsibilities, and impact on each organization.
Need a little help knowing what stays and what goes? Think the bullets are a little too vague or a little too wordy? Sign up for a Résumé Upgrade and LinkedIn Review, and we’ll tackle it together!
Education and Certifications
Include your degree(s) earned - I don’t suggest including incomplete coursework - and certifications, including the institution and date of completion for each one. Like your professional experience section, list these in reverse chronological order.
As a standard, I only include major certifications where you get some initials behind your name (like PMP). Other continuous learning from places like LinkedIn Learning and Google will live happily in the corresponding LinkedIn section (more on that below!).
If you want more direction on how to format, keep your bullets short and sweet, and even structure those bullets, sign up for my Free Résumé Guide!
These recommendations will give you an ATS-friendly résumé checklist you can use to upgrade your résumé in under an hour.
LinkedIn is the digital, online version of your résumé and an interactive social media platform for networking and learning across regions and industries. Do you need one? Yep! Whether or not you’re looking for a new role.
6 Additional Sections MADE for LinkedIn
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Have you taken Crucial Conversations? A course on managing up? Maybe you or your company invested in a DiSC, Insights, or StrengthsFinder profile to understand how you best work in teams. These are wonderful to include in your Licenses, Certifications, and Courses sections.
Include workshops, online courses, or certifications that have enhanced your skills. This illustrates your commitment to continuous learning and staying updated in your field and can be a boon, especially when transitioning fields!
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In this section, highlight significant academic and professional projects to demonstrate your skills and problem-solving abilities. Include outcomes, technologies used, and your specific contributions.
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While I don’t find this appropriate to list on your résumé (I’m a sucker for not letting anything take away from your experience), including volunteer work, internships, or extracurricular activities can showcase a personal side of you and also exhibit additional expertise in the jobs you’re looking to land. Giving readers more insight into who you are provides valuable context!
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Did someone say networking?! Adding memberships in professional organizations or clubs you’re still involved with can link you with your reader unexpectedly. Not only can this demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends, but it may also prompt someone with similar experiences to ping you simply out of curiosity!
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These no longer go on a résumé since recruiters will only need references if you make it to the final round. My recommendation for LinkedIn is to request recommendations from former colleagues and managers quarterly to ensure the section is continuously refreshed.
You don’t need more than 20, and this allows anyone reading your profile a third-party look into your work and how you play on teams.
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Validate your achievements with any awards, scholarships, or honors received. This will add even more credibility to your profile.
Did you know each Résumé Upgrade comes with a full individualized LinkedIn report, measured against the ATS? YES! It’s time to get you ready for the next big thing…
Here’s to making the most out of every resource you have,
🥂 nicole:)
