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If you’ve been out of the workforce for a while, your resume is probably a bit rusty. You’ll need to dust it off and polish it up before sending it out for new opportunities. Dozens of resumes will likely come across the hiring manager’s desk for this job, so make sure yours stands out.

Updating your resume takes a lot of time and attention, but it’s worth the effort. Follow these tips to give yours a much-needed overhaul.

Update the Format

As with most styles, popular resume formats come and go, so it’s time to modernize yours. Swap your objective statement for a summary, ditch the skills section and bold your greatest achievements. Change your contact information to include only your email address, phone number, city, state, and zip code, because sharing your street address can make you susceptible to identity theft.

Eliminate Buzzwords

They might sound trendy for a bit, but buzzwords lack depth and go out of style fast. Hiring managers quickly tire of seeing these overused words and phrases on resumes, so stop using them. Replace these terms with unique descriptors that clearly describe why you’re the best person for the job.

Quantify Accomplishments

Your resume should highlight your most significant professional accomplishments, but they need to be framed properly. For example, saying you exceeded your sales goal last year is great, but specifically noting you surpassed it by 20 percent really drives the point home. Your resume isn’t the place to be elusive, so share key details that emphasize your fit for the job.

Personalize It

Not too many years ago, it was perfectly acceptable to submit the same resume for every job opportunity, but this is no longer the case. These days, hiring managers expect your resume to be tailored for the specific role. Carefully review the job description to search for keywords used throughout the text — different than buzzwords — and weave them into your resume copy. Position yourself as the ideal candidate by selecting bullet points that align with the job.

The Northern Indiana, Southwestern Michigan region is a great place to live, so let Wood Staffing help you find a rewarding new job here. Choose from a variety of temporary, temp-to-hire and direct hire opportunities with the area’s top employers.  If you’re ready to jumpstart your career, contact us today!

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