Is there a job you have your eye on? Whether you’re pursuing an entry or senior-level position, it’s always important to update your resume. Be sure to implement these 7 tips into your resume before hitting submit.
1. Keep it simple
The simpler it is for you to read your resume, the easier it is for the hiring manager to scan it. Summarize your strengths by using bullet points, headings, and boldening keywords. When it comes to the layout – steer clear of hard-to-read fonts and busy colors. It’s recommended to use clean, neutral colors with sans-serif fonts like Helvetica and Arial.
2. Prioritize experience and education
If you don’t have much professional experience, lead your resume with your education, internships, and group and volunteer activities. If you feel confident with your experience in your career, lead with that instead and use reverse chronological order to describe it. However, if you went to a top-tier school, you are more than welcome to lead with that instead.
3. Use action verbs
You want to show that your responsibilities in your past jobs were meaningful and impactful. So instead of using verbs like assisted or performed – use strong action verbs such as negotiated, researched, and solved. That way, there is an emphasis on the impact you’ve made at your previous jobs.
4. Customize the resume for the job
The more relevant your resume is to the job – the more likely you will stand out as a candidate. For example, if you are applying to a job in a specific law practice like estates and trusts or insurance defense, be sure to tailor your resume to it. The best way to do this is by looking at key skills and requirements in the job listing, and applying them to your resume. This could also be a great way to highlight writing samples as well.
5. Emphasize those in-demand skills
Have any standout accomplishments or skills? Be sure to highlight them with your level of proficiency like “implemented document management system” and “opened and closed trials”. If you have experience with any in-demand software or programs – your resume is an excellent place to emphasize them. Especially if you are fluent in any other language, don’t forget to include that as well!
6. Highlight your publications
If you have any published work – list them on your resume. Published work is a great way to see examples of your writing, especially in the legal field where many jobs put an emphasis on writing skills. You can also mention your published work without listing it specifically by including in your resume: “List of published works available upon request.”
7. Proofread, proofread, proofread
Now that you’ve fine-tuned your resume, it’s time to make sure it’s free of grammatical and spelling errors. After looking at your resume for such a long time – it’s best to have a second set of eyes scan through it. Ask someone you trust to proofread it since they can catch spelling mistakes and errors you may have overlooked.
Regardless of the position you’re applying for – you always want to put your best foot forward. Updating your resume is the first step, and can significantly help you when pursuing that next role.