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Resume Writing Trends in 2018

resume trends

Resume writing have always been a staple requirement for job seekers to land an interview but advancement in technology and practices has shifted the way resumes are being presented these days. These changes can be derived from how recruiters optimize on the best approach to pick the right candidates for the job.

Based on this study by 'The Ladders' it was shown that employers spend 80% on resume review by focusing on these key data points in the example below:

Name: XXX

● Current title/company

● Previous title/company

● Previous position start and end dates

● Current position start and end dates

● Education

Top Resumes Writers reviewers note that top resume writing services usually ask their customers to provide with the data regarding education, work history, professional skills and achievements in order to create a high-grade document. So, if you are set to climb the career ladder in 2018, it’s time for you to refine your resume with these 5 trends to craft an A-grade resume for your desired job.

1. A Personalized Summary

Similar to an objective statement, it aims to capture a hiring manager’s attention by summarising the main information attached to your resume in an easy to read format. The key point here is for you to compose a few short, well worded, and descriptive sentences.

Keep things straight to the point. Depending on the position or the type of company you’re applying for, make sure it’s tailored to them. In short, if you are applying to 10 jobs with a similar position but for different industries, you will need to craft 10 personalized summaries instead of just one.

Introduce yourself with a job title. Make sure you’re conveying what you can contribute to the company clearly. If the position you are looking for is an exact mirror of your current or previous employment, you’re pretty much a shoo-in for the role.

Marketing Manager with over 10 years of experience. Versatile and professional with management ranging in size from small private events to CSR (corporate social responsibility) events. Capable of overseeing and managing a large team whilst meeting the completion date and utilizing the budget on hand. Proficient in client relations and administrative support with excellent digital communication skills.

The sample above is a simplified and an accurate introduction of the candidate. Employers who read it will know exactly what position the candidate is applying for. If you have any supporting traits that are worth mentioning, do include it in to make your summary stand out!

2. Social Media Integration

Besides just reviewing your resume, recruiters are now looking at social media profiles such as your LinkedIn profile, personal or professional blog. As the hiring process takes a step further, incorporating social media information into your resume will give you an added advantage because employers will get to know you more.

It’s highly recommended to provide with the links to your social media profiles in your resume. By saying this, ensure that you have done the proper housekeeping for your information and check your digital footprints. If you are a participant to any relevant social or forum sites, you can also include the links in your resume.

Regardless of any industry you want to work in, having a LinkedIn profile is important as it will serve as your extended resume. When you add your LinkedIn profile to your resume, your shortened profile URL will suffice. Ensure your username is short and simple, for example ‘johnWhitmann’ so that you can add your profile link in this format: LinkedIn.com/in/johnWhitmann.

3. Incorporating Industry-specific Keywords

To get the person on the other end to pay close attention to your resume, adding in job-related keywords in your resume will help. To pick up the pace, companies have started to look for candidates by utilizing keyword-search databases to screen through job-seekers. To look up for the right keywords that they are looking for, put more emphasis on action verbs.

For instance:

  • Oversaw work allocation, event-management, marketing planning.
  • Conducted market research, concept ideation, product testing.

Job-specific keywords can be hard skills such profession-specific/industry-specific/ technological terms and the brief description of technical expertise, job titles, certificates, a name of the product, or service. Even the awards or accolades you have earned from professional organizations can be used as keywords too. The rule of thumb is to incorporate keywords that are specifically suited to the job you are applying for to maintain relevancy.

resume visual charts

4. Utilizing Visual Charts

Using visuals to represent info can be appealing as long as it addresses relevant and key important information for the employer to see. Before you start designing, be sure to focus on these 3 key points:

  • Content: Information on the skills and expertise must be in the same section as what the job position is about. Customization is essential depending on the scope of work to ensure the details are relevant.
  • Visuals: Different design is essential to suit certain content, for instance, if you want to highlight your career achievements it is best to draw it based on a timeline concept whereas skill sets and qualifications can be presented in a skill tree format from one point to the other end.
  • Personality: Choose a suitable color and the background theme which best reflects you.

Using visuals to present your resume will be highly effective if you are applying for a creative role or any company that puts more emphasis on creativity and inventiveness. If you are not proficient in graphic design, there are user-friendly design tools such as piktochart.com you can explore.

5. Creative Video Resume

creative resume

Actually, a video resume is an alternative to the traditional resume, it may be called a "digital resume" as well. Filming video resumes may seem out of the norm, but combining it with your resume will make you stand out from other candidates especially if it is relevant to the job. If it’s a role in the media, social, or creative profession, a resume in this format will likely get you a one-way ticket for the job interview.

Maintain your introduction video at one to two minutes long. Consider it as your very own teaser trailer to describe your experience and skills set. Be yourself and extend your real personality while staying professional when you are presenting. Be creative with how the concept of your pitch translates while utilizing your skills in editing and add any elements that might bring value to your production.

If the idea of creating a video resume is new to you, take a look at A Beginner’s Guide to Creating Video Resume.