Beyond the Basics: Level Up Your Resume Writing

Written by Serigne Thiam, Graduate Assistant for the Graduate College 

September is “International Update Your Resume month,” a superb time to polish off your resume to the next level. Whether you’re preparing to enter or transitioning into a different job market, a good resume is integral to meeting your career goals. 

How can you make your resume stand out? What hidden tools are out there for you to employ? We’ve compiled a list of top-secret resume hacks to help you make your resume unforgettable this September.

Creating or updating a resume can be challenging. Before you start looking at colorful templates — you should get in the right state of mind. Have your resume and career goals in mind. You can start by jotting these down on a sheet of paper. Next, be proactive. Fine tuning your resume the night before an application closes may already have you behind the competition. Begin updating your resume well in advance to allow yourself plenty of time and relieve stress. Once you have a draft, compare your resume to examples online or ask a friend with similar career goals to look over theirs. You may be tempted to immediately let all your ideas flow onto the paper, but a steady workflow can prevent burnout. Keep in mind that the resume is there to introduce yourself and your story. Your story took time to unfold, it’s okay for your resume to take time too.

It can be tempting to pull out all the decorative stops, but a straightforward design is essential for making a strong first impression.  An overly decorative resume can distract the reader and could leave the wrong impression. It’s fine to personalize your resume, but a well-organized resume will improve your chances of landing an interview.

A plain design is important for your resume to get past a company’s applicant tracking system (ATS). An ATS is a software application that enables the processing and handling of recruitment and hiring needs. If you’re applying online, ATS will be the first set of eyes on your resume and could reject your application before it reaches a hiring manager. The software will compare your resume to the job description, so it’s important to include keywords and phrases in your resume. Emphasize skills specific to the role and use as much detail in your work experience as possible. Spell out dates and acronyms so the software can recognize them. Optimizing your resume for ATS will help get it past the first wave of rejections.

 With your resume having finite space, linking a portfolio can expound on your qualifications and experiences. It presents evidence of your expertise and is a fantastic way to document your professional journey. You should highlight your most impressive achievements and experiences. There are many free website templates, like Wix and Canva. Even better, the portfolio is the palace where you can show off your creativity and decorative prowess.

 Although cover letters can be optional, it shows how serious you are to the hiring manager. The cover letter should highlight why you feel you’re a good fit for the position and how you can bring value to their organization. Need help formatting? Document processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs have cover letter templates available.

Bearcat Promise Career Studio offers a free career preparation hub with AI features to practice interviews 24/7, build answers to interview questions, and proofread resumes. The resume editing tool will scan and score your resume and offer suggestions. Note: It’s important that you create your resume first, then use AI software to refine it; rather than using AI software to build it. The resume is your story, and you should tell it. 

Career coaches are ready to help you kickstart or advance your career. Career coaching is focused on you and your goals and extends beyond resume editing. Through career coaching, students will be extensively guided in the right direction of their goals through a wide range of resources, strategies, and tactics. 

We’re excited to introduce assistant director of graduate career coaching Meghan Brown and assistant director of international student career coaching Rebecca “Becca” Hale. Brown and Hale are professionally trained to advise you on your career goals with items such as: identifying interests, job searching, overcoming career planning obstacles, preparing for interviews, negotiating salaries, and more. Interested in coaching sessions? We encourage you to schedule an appointment with a career coach today.

Not only will these top-secret tactics bolster your resume skills but also encourage you to use resources available for you. Keep your eye on the ball, make the journey engaging, and continue to pursue excellence.