Resume Trends You Need To Know This Year

Resume Trends You Need To Know This Year By now, you probably know that having an extraordinary resume is the key to drawing attention to yourself in the sea of applicants. stockasso A survey by The Creative Group released last August found advertising and marketing executives receive an average of 23 resumes for every open, creative position. Of those, they’ll meet with only six before filling the role. So, as a job seeker, how can you make your resume stand out among the 22 others so you can be one of the six called for an interview? Here are some of the newest resume trends for 2015 to help you get noticed: 1. Speaking to a specific audience One of the most common resume mistakes last year, noted by 39 percent of executives, was candidates not tailoring resumes to fit a specific job or company. As an advertiser, if you want to capture the attention of a specific audience, you need to tailor your message so that it speaks to that audience. The same goes for job seekers trying to reach hiring managers at specific companies. Customize your resume’s opening statement to address the major needs of the organization or the role you are applying for. If your work history is lengthy, include only the most relevant work experience and accomplishments. 2. A value proposition After looking at your resume, hiring managers should be able to answer, “Why should I hire you?” Address this question in the very beginning, by including a value proposition in your resume’s opening statement. Explain what differentiates you from other candidates. Mention a compelling example about your character or skills, by touching on an example from your work history. 3. Call-out boxes Highlighting a section of text with a call-out box will help break up an otherwise dense resume. These quick snippets are easy to digest. Including call-outs will help get your message across in a quick and memorable way. Choose pithy summaries of information you want managers to immediately notice and recall. Don’t overdo it, though. Keep it to two or three call-outs maximum your resume should still look like a resume. 4. A list of accomplishments Keep a running list of your accomplishments so you can build and customize each resume. Include accomplishments from each previous role under the corresponding position, or write a short storytelling summary of your accomplishments in your opening statement. This validates otherwise theoretical character traits. 5. Video Though a video resume should never be used in place of a written one, video is an excellent tool to pique a hiring manager’s interest. Introducing yourself via video will help the hiring manager “see” you, beyond just text on paper. Record a short video introduction shoot for 30 seconds, but try to make it no longer than 2 minutes. Include a link to the video on your resume and LinkedIn profile. 6. Crafting for human eyes In previous years, we’ve made a lot of changes to the way we write our resumes, to please the meticulous applicant tracking systems. Now in 2015, we’ve come to terms with the cold hard truth that the ATS fails us most of the time it’s like sending your resume into a black hole. Most job hunting success comes from personal connections, LinkedIn found in March. So abandon the keyword stuffing strategy and stop relying on submitting applications online. Get out and network with key people who can get your resume in front of hiring managers. Ask a mentor, an old professor or a friend what they think about your resume. Is your resume compelling enough to hire you? If not, try working in some of these resume trends, and you’ll surely be noticed. Which of these new trends are you going to use to spice up your resume for 2015?