How to Make Your Resume Stand Out in 2020

Yes, this rule is simple, but also very helpful. Use clear headings, bold your type, and if you are feeling extra fancy, change the colour. Use capital letters in your section titles LIKE THIS, so the reader’s eye can easily break up the elements.

This is often the most stress-inducing section of a resume, what with trying to remember buzzwords, buzzwords, buzzwords. While both an objective and summary statement convey your goals, a summary statement tells a recruiter what values you bring to the company, rather than how you are looking to benefit. This subtle shift demonstrates your value. Don’t forget tip number one; keep it simple, and limit the section to one to two sentences at most. A good summary could then point out: The number of years or months of experience in the field, your education, training or certification in that field, an accomplishment or recognition that “says it all,” if possible, and something unique about your work ethic or personal work style that is appealing to an employer.

It might seem like a no-brainer, but placing your most recent positions at the forefront of your work experience allows recruiters to understand your resume's effectiveness. Not to mention, employers still tend to prefer the traditional reverse chronological order.

Not sure where to start? Don’t be discouraged. These Canadian companies are hiring right now in the current climate for you to impress.

Despite having more time to review and invest in your job application, recruiters still want to skim your resume as you are not the only candidates or job posting they have to get through right now. Break down your responsibilities and accomplishments with bullets, not paragraphs, starting each statement with a strong action verb.

Thinking of a complete change in your field due to a recent COVID-19 pandemic lay off? Here’s the 20 best work-from-home jobs of 2020.

Learning how to write a resume is a bit like creating a work of art. And with art, we show, not tell. Therefore, it’s always best to summarize your impact in a role by adding numerical results whenever you can. Metrics are about upping efficiency, so whether you made a target more than once, managed a number of employees, or completed a task in less time than an average person at your workplace could be measurable accomplishments that get you noticed.

Sometimes it pays to skip the gaudy graphics, pie charts, and illustrations that don’t bode well with resume-scanning softwares to make sure there is enough white space for optimal readability.

It’s a general rule for a reason. The second page of your resume won’t get as much attention as your first, so do your best to keep it to just one page.

Doesn’t seem possible? Use this list of the most ridiculous things ever found on a resume as a guide for what not to include.

Fears of using resume templates are often confounded by the fact that recruiters really don’t mind the use of one. It helps you cast a wider net and reminds you what matters most to include. Templates are also easy to customize. Therefore they don’t necessarily all have to look the same.

Today’s modern templates do prioritize design and creativity. Why? They help you stand against the regular black-and-white resumes in the pack. And while your resume traditionally lists your work history and skills, it’s also a first impression of your personality and your own personal marketing document. Colour psychology is a crucial branding technique used in marketing too. Your brand and how you want to market yourself to potential employers is an essential indicator of your character, and selling that to your next job prospects is vital. Just ask yourself: would you hire someone who is bland and lacks that creative spark?

Looking for an opportunity to showcase that creativity outside of just a side hustle? Look no further than one of these 16 great jobs for women in trades.

Job-seekers often make a mistake when they are researching how to write the perfect resume by copying too many buzz- or trigger-happy action words, or general statements from the job posting. While this is an inspired tactic to write for your audience and understand your resume’s place in the hiring process, you may miss critical spelling and grammatical errors. Grammar is critical to getting noticed and making the best impression on the hiring manager. Don’t make the simple mistake of not reading through your resume for human readability. Try sending a copy to your friend for another set of eyes on it, and try to skip some verbs in the process.

Who knows? If you’re lucky, your next opportunity might be one of these 20 jobs with the best work/life balance.