Resume Writing in 2024: Quality over Quantity

Having just completed a "needle in a haystack" candidate search for a client, I've gained some fresh insights into the world of resumes and hiring. This experience inspired me to share some thoughts on how established professionals can make their resumes stand out in a sea of applicants.

Curating Your Professional Story

As your career progresses, your resume evolves from a simple chronology of experiences to a strategic document highlighting your most valuable skills and accomplishments. Your resume isn't just a comprehensive list of past roles; it's a carefully curated presentation of your professional journey. Think of it as your personal career portfolio, where you showcase the experiences and skills most relevant to your future goals. Just as a museum curator selects the most impactful pieces for an exhibition, you should choose the elements of your career that best represent your capabilities and potential. For instance, there is no need to add your WPM (words per minute) on your resume.  Computers are such a huge part of our culture that it is assumed that we can all type. Leave this (and similar skills) off. Do you want some clues as to what skills you should keep on your resume? Hint: The job description is your guide! 

The One-Resume Approach

Contrary to popular belief, you don't necessarily need multiple versions of your resume for different applications. A well-structured resume that emphasizes your transferable skills and most significant achievements can be adaptable to various opportunities. This approach saves time and ensures consistency in your professional narrative. However, you need to tweak it based on the role you are applying for. There are strategies on how to best do this to save you time and energy because let’s face it – job searching is daunting. The reader should see how your resume connects to the job description, otherwise, the reader may be confused about why you applied for this role. 

Cover letters too!!! Generic cover letters do nothing for your efforts. You only need one, but it should be structured in an easily editable way. No one wants to spend 2 hours crafting a cover letter for every job they apply to, right? 

Capturing the Hiring Manager's Attention

It is important to remember that hiring managers often have limited time to review each resume. Most only skim through resumes, looking for key points that stand out. With this in mind, it's crucial to front-load your resume with your most impressive and relevant information. Consider your resume as a trailer for the full story of your career. It should provide a compelling snapshot that encourages the reader to want to learn more about you. Prioritize your most notable achievements and skills, ensuring they're easily visible even to someone quickly scanning the document. Bright, Canva-created, funny font resumes are not the way to get the right attention. Overly formatted resumes may also prevent applicant tracking systems from “reading” the resume fully. Leave off fancy colors and symbols. You want your resume to “flow” and be easy to read. 

The Art of Concision

While including every detail of your professional life might be tempting, remember that brevity is key. Focus on quality over quantity, highlighting the experiences and skills that set you apart. This approach respects the hiring manager's time and demonstrates your communication ability. Also, your resume should be no more than TWO PAGES. I came across a lot of resumes with great experiences that were smushed into one page which made it very difficult to read. On the other hand, not one hiring manager will read a 7-page resume, and there is no reason why you should have one.

In conclusion, your resume is more than just a record of your past; it's a powerful tool for shaping your future. By thoughtfully selecting what to include, you're not just listing what you've done—you're painting a picture of what you WANT to do. This strategic approach to resume writing can make all the difference in catching a potential employer's eye and landing your next great opportunity that is aligned with your future goals and aspirations.

Remember, in the world of resumes, it's not about telling your entire story—it's about telling the right story. Schedule an exploratory session if you would like assistance putting your best foot forward when applying for new roles. Your future employer will thank you!