How to Update Your Resume for Digital Viewing
As the talent recruitment industry embraces digital strategies, your techniques as a job seeker need to match.
Many companies review resumes electronically. Some have even moved toward using applicant tracking systems to facilitate the process. To ensure you stand out, your resume should be compatible with these practices.
The Overture Group has tips for how to update your resume.
Format for Digital Viewing
The first step is to make sure your resume is formatted for easy digital viewing. Even though it’s digital, a potential employer may print out your resume, so it should be easily read on both screen and in print. Use a simple 12-point font so it is neat and easy to read.
Basic Bookprint, Sans Serif and Serif fonts we suggest are:
- Times New Roman
- Arial
- Verdana
- Calibri
- Georgie
- Bell MT
- Goudy Old Style
- Garamond
- Arial
- Tahoma
- Century Gothic
- Lucinda Sans
Your resume should never exceed one page. It’s meant to be a short summary of your relevant professional and educational achievements, so place your strongest skills and relevant experiences by ordering the information on your resume from top to bottom based on importance.
For example, structure your resume in the following order:
- Executive Summary
- Core Competencies
- Selected Accomplishments
- Professional Experience
- Education
- Community Involvement
Save Two File Types
It is essential to save your newly updated resume as two file types. When emailing or uploading your resume, a PDF version is the best file type to use. PDF files are perfect for viewing resumes digitally because your layout will not be altered based on device type.
You should also save your resume as a plain text file. This allows for easy uploading to online submission platforms. If you upload the wrong file type into these systems, the content of your resume may not translate well and it’s possible your resume will never end up in the hands of a hiring manager.
Add Visual Elements
Depending on the type of job you are applying for, consider adding a few design elements. First, choose a color scheme that is professional yet attractive. Small pops of color go a long way on resumes, but we always recommend choosing a white background so your resume is not distracting.
If you have graphic design or Photoshop skills, consider adding a few graphic elements that stand out. Some candidates include small head shots or logos to showcase their skills, but doing so is not necessary if you are applying for a job that does not emphasize creative skills.
Link to External Sources
One perk of having a resume tailored for digital viewing is that you can add links where potential employers can learn more about you. This is a great way to motivate them to learn more about skills and experiences you were not able to fit on your succinct, one-page resume. The best way to do this is to add small icons on the bottom or side of your resume that link to various places.
Include links to:
- Your Website: Linking to your professional website or blog shows hiring managers you are serious, motivated and organized.
- Your Portfolio: Offering access to a collection of your past work puts you one step ahead of the competition in the hiring process because potential employers will already have an idea of what your work would look like.
- Your LinkedIn Profile: Always include a link to your LinkedIn Profile in your resume. This gives hiring managers the opportunity to connect with you and view your professional network, skills and endorsements.
- Your Social Media Accounts (If Applicable): If you have a professional Facebook, Twitter or Instagram page where employers might be able to learn more about your personality or skills, provide links to your social media accounts. Remember that even if you do not link to your social media accounts, the content you post on your personal accounts can affect you professionally.
Incorporate Key Words
Strategize by incorporating language used in job descriptions into your resume. This will increase your chances of being invited to an interview, especially if your resume is being analyzed by an Applicant Tracking System. The systems are designed to identify qualified candidates based on keywords. You can even optimize your resume by using resume scanning platforms like Jobscan, which cross-checks your resume with the job description of the job you are applying for. Remember to provide specific examples of accomplishments and/or experiences to align your resume with the job description.
Compare to Your LinkedIn Profile
Once you’ve created a resume designed for digital viewing, compare it to your LinkedIn Profile and make adjustments to both until the content is consistent. It’s important the language and skills you describe on both platforms are consistent and well-tuned.
You can have up to 50 skills listed on LinedIn, which will help you appear in recruiter searches. After updating your skills, turn on “Open to opportunities” on LinkedIn, then consider uploading your resume in your LinkedIn Profile.
Now you have the perfect digital resume, so you will need tips for your job search and the interview process. Contact The Overture Group today to take your job search to the next level.