There are a million things to keep in mind when writing your resume, and we’ve got one more list for you to digest: Things your future boss wants to see on your resume.
With online applications these days, your resume needs to pass a computer’s grading system in order to land on a Human Resources Manager’s desk. Then you have less than 25 seconds to make an impression on that HR Manager before your resume is handed over to a hiring manager. That individual will likely spend some time reading your work history and ensuring you have the skills and experience needed to succeed in the role.
Here is what your future boss wants to see on a resume:
1. Career Progression
Does your work history demonstrate consistent and logical career growth? If your first job out of college was as a manager and then a year later you were an associate, then a director, then a coordinator, and finally a manager again… Your progression is illogical. So even if you do have a jumbled work history, organize your information in a way that illustrates your growth; and forget the chronological resume layout altogether.
Otherwise, showcase that clear career progression.
2. Proper format
As basic as this one is, it is a very important factor in your resume’s success. A poorly formatted resume can cause frustration to the reader, and rather than try to decipher it, they will simply move on to a different applicant.
Use clean formatting and select the appropriate layout for your prior work history. If you’re unsure of what that is, here is a description of common resume formats and who should use them.
3. Longevity
While the exact time frame of ‘longevity’ varies by industry and position, most employers want to see that you can commit to a position and a company long enough to make an impact. Job hopping is generally frowned upon.
One solution if your work history is chunky, is to group like job titles into a single entry. Describe your general role and contributions all under one heading rather than splitting it by individual employer.
Want more information like this? Read our blog post: Resume writing tips to land an interview
4. Outside Industry Experience
Everyone already knows that relevant industry experience is important to include on your resume, but that doesn’t necessarily mean leave out anything outside of that industry either. Past work experience, board memberships, volunteer activities, even certifications can show you are well rounded and dedicated to your efforts. If you feel you’ve gained valuable knowledge or skills from outside industries, include them.
Each stage of the resume evaluation looks at different elements. We understand it can be overwhelming to digest it all at once. If it feels like just a bit too much to handle on your own, we offer resume writing services by skilled resume experts who can tackle the tough parts for you.
