Looking for a new job is tedious and stressful. While the last thing you might feel like doing is re-evaluating your resume, this is something you should put serious time and thought into before applying for jobs. Although it might not seem important at the time, your resume is your first opportunity to make a lasting impression on potential employers. It is more than just a list of your work history; it is a personal tool that showcases your skills, achievements, and potential value to an organization. But what happens when there are special cases or gaps in your resume?
Whether you’re applying for your first job or have a gap in employment, you might struggle to find enough work experience to fill a single-page resume. In this blog, we will discuss some key strategies to ensure your resume stands out from the crowd and how to navigate employment gaps.
Resume Tips for Standing Out
1. Tailor Your Resume to the Specific Job
Want to make your resume shine? We recommend tailoring your resume for each job you’re eyeing! Do not worry, this does not mean a complete overhaul. Instead, think of it as giving your resume a slight revamp to showcase the skills and experiences that best match the job description. Take a moment to carefully read what the employer is looking for, and then sprinkle that same language throughout your resume. For example, if they are big on project management, make sure your relevant experience in that area takes center stage. This approach not only shows you’re a great fit but also demonstrates your attention to detail and genuine interest in the role.
2. Use a Clean, Professional Design
Creating a stand-out resume doesn’t have to be complicated. Use a clean, professional design with consistent fonts and spacing. This makes your resume easy to read and navigate. Consider using bullet points, bold headings, and clear section titles to organize your information effectively.
Remember, simplicity is key. By focusing on a clean design, you ensure that potential employers can quickly find the information they need, making your resume both appealing and functional.
3. Highlight Key Achievements
When crafting your resume, highlight your accomplishments and the positive impact you’ve made in previous roles (include specific numbers where you can). For example, instead of simply stating “Managed a sales team,” try something like “Led a team of 10 sales professionals, driving a 15% boost in yearly revenue.” This approach not only showcases your responsibilities but also highlights the real value you brought to your former employers.
4. Incorporate Keywords
Did you know that most companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to review resumes? To increase your chances of getting noticed, incorporate relevant keywords from the job description into your resume. This could include specific skills, industry terms, or job titles that match what the employer is looking for. Just remember to keep it natural – you want your resume to flow smoothly and authentically represent your experience. Do not just add words that sound good, use words that accurately describe your skills and experience.
5. Showcase Your Soft Skills
While having strong technical skills and experience is important, don’t forget about the power of soft skills! Employers increasingly value abilities like effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. When discussing your qualifications, try to weave in specific examples that showcase these skills.
6. Proofread, Proofread, Proofread
A polished, error-free resume is crucial for making a great first impression. One of the best ways to ensure your resume shines is by carefully proofreading it for any spelling or grammatical errors. These small mistakes can unintentionally suggest a lack of attention to detail.
After you have crafted your resume, take a moment to review it thoroughly. For an extra layer of assurance, consider asking a trusted friend or colleague to look it over as well. They might spot something you have missed, helping you present the best version of yourself to potential employers.
7. Consider Adding a Cover Letter
While a cover letter isn’t always a must-have, crafting a great one can make you stand out. It’s your chance to showcase why you are perfect for the job and share your excitement about the opportunity. Just remember to tailor it to the specific job and company you are applying to, just like you would with your resume. A well-crafted cover letter can be that extra boost that sets you apart from other candidates!
4 Areas To Add To Your Resume
School
In what courses have you excelled? How have you gone above and beyond to help an instructor or fellow students? For what career are you training? What accomplishments and/or awards can you describe?
It is easy to overlook some of what you do throughout your time in school as just something you had to do to graduate but adding those details allows others to see the intentionality you had when completing school and the extra effort you put in.
Volunteer Work
Even though you weren’t paid, how did you provide value to a nonprofit organization? How many hours did you put in, did you have any leadership roles, or what recognition did you achieve?
Volunteering might be one of the better areas to double down on if you have any experience or time put here. First, it shows that even without receiving anything, you’re willing and happy to help, work, and care for something. Second, it can be a great place to potentially have references because the people who you work with know how you care for others and about the great work you do.
Hobbies
This might be an opportunity to describe your passion and achievement differently. What skills have you developed? How can you explain the results and benefits of your hard work? Is there a possible parallel to a job you are pursuing?
We usually don’t give ourselves enough credit for the many skills we have and have honed over the years. Learning different computer skills to something like wood craftsmanship and the importance of detail allows a potential employer to get a better view of the skills you might bring to the table.
Home
If this is your full-time job without pay, think about your fiscal, homecare, and oversight responsibilities. What are you achieving with your days? What is your objective?
With this being one of the toughest, but also most rewarding jobs (that you can have without any monetary reward), it is also one that shows how great you can be. From time management to task prioritization, there are so many built-in skills that employers are seeking.
Do not underestimate your contributions in any part of your life. And if you struggle to describe them on your own, ask for assistance! Talk it through with a family member, mentor, or friend. Sometimes another person can more easily identify your strengths and contributions.
But what if you lack general job experience or have gaps in employment?
How to Handle Gaps in Employment
Employment gaps are a natural part of life. Many people have gaps in their employment, especially within the past few years of unexpected events. It is not uncommon for people to take time off for various circumstances, such as attending school, caring for family members, illnesses or simply being laid off.
A gap in employment can range from several months (generally speaking, anything less than 3 months is not considered a gap) to several years. Searching for a new job is nerve-racking enough. If you have been out of work for an extended period, this can be a difficult topic for you to discuss on your resume and in interviews. It is normal to feel nervous about discussing employment gaps, but there are ways to handle this situation that will help you feel more confident and prepared.
Resume Tips for Gaps in Employment
One of the most important things you should do while searching for a new job — especially when you have employment gaps — is to make sure your resume is written in a way that showcases your current skills and experiences while not hiding the fact that there have been gaps. Here are some tips on how to handle gaps in employment on your resume:
- Consider a different resume format that is not chronological, such as a functional or combination resume. These formats are more flexible and allow you to emphasize what is most important for the job you are applying for, rather than where you have been and when.
- Showcase skills, accomplishments, and certifications gained during the gap period, even if they are not related to the job description. This shows that you have been proactive, even if you have not been formally employed. This can also be the place to mention if you went back to school.
- List volunteering, odd jobs, and projects that happened during this time. This shows your initiative to want to work or help out on your own.
- Consider listing longer gaps in employment as its own job. If you have a gap of over a year, it will probably stand out in your resume regardless. Always be clear about these longer gaps. It might be useful to briefly explain what you were doing as if it were a job itself. For example, if you were taking care of an elderly parent and spent a few years helping with long-term care, then you could mention something like this:
Full-time elderly caretaker, Location, 20XX – 20XX. Took time to help an elderly parent with long-term care needs.
Although all these things will help your resume look more appealing in the initial job search, you will likely be asked to talk through the gaps in your resume in an interview.
Do not fear! Learning how to talk about your resume and explain employment gaps will help you feel confident about interviewing.
Interview Tips for Gaps in Employment
Interviewing for a job after not being employed for a substantial period can be daunting. The most important thing to remember is that proper preparation prevents poor performance. In other words, being prepared and practicing for an interview is crucial. Here are some tips on how to discuss gaps in employment during an interview:
- Be prepared to talk about it. If you know you are going to be asked about gaps, practice your answers. If possible, practice with someone who has had a similar experience so that you can get feedback on how well your responses work.
- Be honest about it. Do not lie or make up an excuse that could potentially be discovered as false and hurt your credibility with the interviewer. If you were fired or laid off, do not make up a story about why. Simply explain what happened and how you have been working on improving yourself and finding a new job.
- Avoid being negative. In addition to being honest, your attitude about your gap will be as important as the reason for the gap. For example, blaming a past manager for being fired will reflect poorly on you, not that manager.
- Share what you are comfortable explaining, especially if it was due to family issues and illnesses. You do not have to explain in explicit detail why a certain gap in employment might have occurred, but make sure the interviewer has an understanding of what happened before moving on to other topics.
- Once all your gaps have been explained, focus on what you have been doing since. Highlight the transferrable skills you have learned or the unconventional accomplishments you have achieved (ex: childcare/caregiver).
How you explain your gaps in employment is usually more important than the reason for your time away from work. It is also important to remain transparent and positive during the interview process.
Seeking Professional Resume Help
Crafting the perfect resume can be challenging, but remember: you don’t have to go it alone. Consider reaching out to a trusted colleague or mentor to help identify your strengths and accomplishments. Their perspective can be beneficial in highlighting skills you might have overlooked.
We hope our tips have given you a solid foundation for creating or refining your resume. While it may feel uncomfortable to showcase your skills and accomplishments or talk about your employment gaps, it is crucial to learn how to do so effectively. Remember, your experiences and abilities are unique – you’ve worked hard to develop them, and they deserve to be highlighted!
If you’re feeling unsure about the next steps in your job search or need additional guidance, Staffing Support Specialist’s team of experts is here to provide personalized support and advice.
