5 Things to Change on Your Resume in 2017

5 Things to Change on Your Resume in 2017 So…it’s been 5, 10, or even 15+ years since you’ve looked for a new job? You can probably just re-use your old resume, right? Orâ€"at the very leastâ€"just re-hash the information and make it look good for today’s audience, right? The answer is a resounding NO! In fact, it’s vital that you change (at the minimum) these five things to ensure your resume is ready for the second-half of 2017. Change #1 â€" Keep it simple. Don’t get “cute” with Comic Sons and other laughable Word fonts. Don’t add funny graphics and a lot of charts. The simpler you can keep itâ€"the better. Many companies utilize Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan incoming resumes for key word matches. If you don’t have a simple and easy-to-read format, you may be OUT of contention before the interviews even begin. When you want to get fancyâ€"remember that simplicity wins most often. Change #2 â€" Cut the excess and irrelevant information. While you may think it is awesome that you were a bank teller at age 16 (I was that person!), it is mostly irrelevant to the jobs you are seeking now. You don’t have to include EVERY single job that you have ever had since you joined the workforce. In fact, a good rule of thumb is to only include the last 10-15 years of professional history. Change #3 â€" Showcase your accomplishments. Don’t post a complete job description of your past opportunities. Guess what? A lot of other people have similar job descriptions to you. Instead, focus on your accomplishments. Showcase what you DID for the companies â€" include percentage, dollar amounts, and percentages whenever possible to demonstrate your success. Change #4 â€" Eliminate the objectiveplease! If you haven’t had a resume for 10+ years, chances are that your old document may include an objective. Your objective is not important today. Think about what YOU can for the company. Focus on their needs and figure out a way to fulfill them. Change #5 â€" Change your file name. Be sure that your resume stands out. Call it “John Smith Resume” or something similar so that your name is included. Don’t title it with the company nameâ€"many others do thatâ€"instead, be sure to include your first and last name so that you are remembered during the job search. It’s vital that you take the time to create an effective resumeâ€"this is the first step in the job search process.   Remember to stick to the truth, remain concentrated on your strengths, and develop your resume to align to the key words in the job posting. If you can complete these tasks, you will be well on-your-way to your next job opportunity! If you would like additional resume tips, check out our Top 5 Resume Tips to GET THE INTERVIEW. And, if you are a seasoned employee â€" check out our NEW Top 10 Resume Tips for Job Seekers Over the Age of 40.