Your resume isn’t just a job history — it’s your personal marketing tool. And in a job market where recruiters are scanning hundreds of resumes a week, yours needs to stand out for the right reasons.
If it’s been a while since you updated your resume, a refresh can make all the difference. From modern formatting to strategic content updates, the right changes can get your resume past bots and onto hiring managers’ desks.
Update Your Contact Info and Headline
Start with the simplest updates: your contact details.
Make sure you have:
A professional email address (ideally a variation of your name)
An up-to-date phone number
Your LinkedIn profile URL
A job title or headline that summarizes your role or specialty
Your contact section is also a great place to include your city and state if you’re applying locally.
Revise Your Summary or Objective
Generic objectives are outdated. Instead, write a short, impactful summary that communicates who you are, what you bring to the table, and what type of role you’re looking for.
A strong summary should include:
Your years of experience or key industry
A few core skills or accomplishments
The type of opportunity you’re seeking
This is your elevator pitch. Make it specific and relevant to your next move.
Modernize Your Work Experience
Outdated or overly generic job descriptions won’t cut it. Your experience section should clearly show what you’ve accomplished.Use bullet points to highlight:
Specific results or improvements you made
Metrics or data to back up achievements
Leadership, project ownership, or cross-functional collaboration
Promotions or increases in responsibility
Example:
Reduced customer response time by 40% by streamlining support ticket workflow.
Avoid listing every responsibility and focus on impact.
Refresh Your Skills Section
Your skills section should reflect what’s current and relevant, not just what you’ve done in the past.
What to include:
Software and tools you’ve mastered (e.g., Salesforce, QuickBooks, Excel)
Soft skills relevant to your role (e.g., communication, adaptability, leadership)
Certifications or recent training courses
Remote or hybrid collaboration tools (e.g., Zoom, Slack, Trello)
Make sure your skills align with the types of roles you’re applying for.
Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Many resumes are filtered by software before they’re ever seen by a human. If your formatting is too complex, it may never make it through.
To make your resume ATS-friendly:
Use simple formatting (no tables, graphics, or text boxes)
Stick to standard section headings (e.g., “Work Experience,” “Education”)
Incorporate relevant keywords from job descriptions
Save your file as a .docx or PDF (depending on instructions)
Improve the Layout and Design
You don’t need a flashy design to make an impression — just a clean, modern layout.
Keep it clean by:
Using consistent font sizes and spacing
Avoiding large blocks of text
Limiting your resume to 1–2 pages, depending on experience
Ensuring alignment and formatting are consistent throughout
A cluttered or inconsistent layout can turn hiring managers off, even if the content is strong.
A Powerful Tool
A strong resume doesn’t just list what you’ve done but also shows who you are, what you’ve achieved, and where you’re going. A thoughtful refresh can make your resume a powerful tool in landing your next opportunity. And here at Employment Solutions, we connect you with jobs AND show up as your best professional self. If you’re ready to refresh your resume and get noticed, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
