2016 Resume TipsTOP 10 RESUME TIPS FOR 2016

We now have a 1-second shorter attention span than a goldfish.

A recent study published by Microsoft revealed how in the year 2000 we had a 12-second attention span, but by 2013 it had decreased to an 8-second attention span.

I’m left wondering … what does our shortened attention span mean for how we job search—and more specifically, how we write resumes?

It means trends are changing…and so should your resume!

2016 RESUME TIP #1LONG-WINDEDNESS IS NOT WELCOME

It’s not just what you say but how few words you use to say it.

2016 RESUME TIP #2MASTER EDITOR REQUIRED

Consider yourself a master editor.

Write a detailed version of your resume one that includes everything you think is relevant to the opportunity. Then go back and remove everything that is not essential. Once you’ve done that, go back and cut out everything that is not critical. When you write your resume ask yourself: “Is this critical to my story or what I’m trying to convey to the employer?”

2016 RESUME TIP #3WRITE FOR SCANNERS AND SKIMMERS

Keep in mind that whoever reviews your resume first will typically scan it for critical information. The first thing they’ll look at it is your title/branding statement, bolded keywords, position titles, and dates.

THIS IS WHY NEWSPAPERS START WITH A GREAT HEADLINE, GIVE THE MOST CRITICAL FACTS FIRST, AND THEN GRADUALLY FILL IN THE NOT-SO-CRITICAL INFORMATION FURTHER DOWN IN THE STORY. THEY KNOW YOU DON’T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL THE BOTTOM OF THE ARTICLE TO GET THE BEST INFORMATION.

2016 RESUME TIP #4USE A FORMULA TO FLESH OUT YOUR STORY

SITUATION / ACTION / RESULT

Share a challenge/situation/problem, the action you took to address it, and the result. Write the result by sharing how it positively impacted your employer or client. These statements make an impact, tell a story, and give the reader context. When writing your career history it’s best to lead with the result/impact to the client or employer because this is usually quantifiable.

Example S.A.R. statement:

Situation: ABC operated at a loss of $750,000 in 2014.

Action:Personally vetted by President for company turnaround. Cut costs by 35%, revamped hiring practices to reduce turnover, overhauled budget and spending practices.

Result/Impact:Delivered $550,000 profit by end of year 2015.

2016 RESUME TIP #5PICTURES WIN – NEUROSCIENCE SAYS SO

Visuals matter…

A recent study found that information presented in both visual form and text was retained by 65% of people after three days versus only 10% able to recall at three days via text only.

Text &

Im-age

Text Only

Percent Who Recall

2016 RESUME TIP #6PERSONAL BRANDING IS VISUAL TOO

Personal branding is also communicated visually through word pictures.Certain colors have specific meanings to your personal brand! Check out this video from Personalbranding.tv to find out what your personal branding color is and consider that it may be time to include your color brand in your resume: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDohoPavchc

2016 RESUME TIP #7SHORTER SENTENCES

Keep it short – use Twitter as a guide

2016 RESUME TIP #8MONEY MATTERS

Did you make it, save it or help someone else in the process?Employers care greatly about the bottom line. As a direct contributor, how did you impact the bottom-line profitability of the company?

2016 RESUME TIP #9INFOGRAPHIC RESUMES

Will an infographic resume replace a traditional resume?No. Does it work for everyone? No. But for many job seekers there is a right time and right place to use an infographic resume. I’ll let you in on a little secret too—you can make your own!

How can you make one?

There are a number of sites you can use to design your own infographic resume including www.visme.co, www.visual.ly, www.venngage.com, www.picktochart.com, http://www.infogr.am, and www.easel.ly. You could use these sites to create graphics to incorporate into your resume too.

Is it right for you?

Some important points you need to consider when you’re evaluating whether an infographic resume is right for you—as they’re not for every industry or position; they can work very well for industries such as marketing, sales, technology, social media, graphic design, or telecomm. You may find that groundbreaking companies, smaller businesses, or start-ups are drawn to infographic resumes. I can see infographic resumes being a great tool when tapping into the hidden job market as you’re bypassing traditional HR departments. A January 2015 survey stated 68% of people would look at an infographic resume while 32% said it depends. Interestingly enough, not one person said they wouldn’t look at one.

2016 RESUME TREND #10THE DEMISE OF ATS

Don’t rely on your resume as your 1st impression.

Applicant tracking software is starting to make a slow decline and fade away. Employers have discovered that computer software systems are good at scanning keywords on a resume, but they’re not good at discerning talent, trustworthiness, dedication, hard work, and most importantly FIT.

Keep these 10 tips in mind!

Having a hard time writing your own resume? Let’s chat! Visit my website at http://www.greatresumesfast.com, call my office at 1.800.991.5187, or connect with me on LinkedIn to discuss how I help busy job seekers create interview-winning resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles that cut their job search time by 50% or more and secure interviews in two weeks or less.