Resume Tips – Launch Preparation for the Future
Since résumés are such an essential part of the job search process, the Career and Volunteer Department at the Optimum Performance Institute works with each participant to ensure that he or she leaves with an up-to-date résumé. Not only do we teach participants the basics of formatting, etiquette, and tailoring, we also search the Internet for the latest trends. Listed below are some new (and some older but successful) tips for 2014 along with our review comments for each tip.
QR Code: Two common problems with résumés are length and making a résumé stand out. One way to resolve both issues is by adding a QR Code (Quick Response Code, which is a machine-readable optical label) for more tech related positions. Not only is it simple to create, it is unobtrusive and can add some interest to your résumé. QR codes can direct résumé readers to additional information, video clips, or even references. — Melissa Shaw, ITworld
Review: While we think this could be an awesome tool, we have found that it might be easier to just include a link to your online portfolio or appropriate social media like LinkedIn. Some corporate résumé processing software might not allow for the QR Code and kick it out of their system. Some Human Resource departments might not have the extra time to scan the code. Consider adding a QR Code to your business card instead.
LinkedIn profile URL: Employers will go to LinkedIn to find out more about you (90% of them anyway). And that’s a high enough percentage for me. Make it easy for them to find you (and make sure they’re finding the right YOU on LinkedIn) by including your personal LinkedIn profile URL on your résumé. — Jessica Holbrook Hernandez, President/CEO of Great Résumés Fast
Review: We absolutely recommend the use of LinkedIn and in fact do a workshop on it. We believe this could be a useful tool, but double check that it makes sense for the position you are applying to. Add your LinkedIn URL to the heading next to your email address.
Word Cloud: A common piece of career advice is to craft a new résumé for each job you apply for. This ensures you use the language of the job description and that the experiences and accomplishments you list align with the opportunity. But how do you make sure you’ve done this properly? Over on The Hired Guns (thehiredguns.com), Ryan Galloway suggests pasting your résumé into a word-cloud app, like TagCrowd. The app will generate a cloud of the top used words in your résumé. The more frequently you use certain words, the bigger they are in the cloud. — Allison Jones, idealistcareers.org
Review: We love the idea of this and recommend it in our cover letter workshop. This tool allows visual learners to see their experiences in a different way and use the top words to ensure their résumé is more directly addressing the job description. This is also a good tool to help your résumé and cover letter be clearer and more concise. In conjunction, check out wordle.net, Tagul.com, and worditout.com
Video résumé: Six out of 10 recruiters use video interviewing, according to a recent Forbes article and the trend is accelerating. Video presents special challenges in terms of eye contact – a crucial factor in building trust – as well as the overall impression you make. And how you handle the process can demonstrate to the employer that you embrace technology rather than resist it – an important point, especially for older workers. — Thea Kelley, CPRW, GCDF, OPNS, Certified Résumé Writer and Career Coach
Review: We cannot come up with any valid reasons why a video résumé would be requested from a company though we realize that job sites have the option to upload them. We understand how this could be useful to employers as they can screen dozens of applicants in less time, but we have concerns about discrimination. As far as interviewing for positions out of state, there are many other ways to do interviews from remote locations, so we recommend trying those options first.