Resume Rules: 2022

Jan 4

A new year brings new resume tweaks. Covid has changed things. Job hunting is more tech-oriented than ever. Working from home, office or a hybrid model have made professionals more time conscious so keeping your resume on target is a must. No one has time to waste.

Here are the resume rules for 2022:

Use a Professional Summary or Objective:

Whichever you use, keep it brief. You want to communicate your achievement. Leave out all the arrogant adjective - trustworthy, master, expert etc. In your summary, you want to speak about your accomplishments. In your objective, you want to highlight the skills you have used to get you where you are.

Include your Linkedin profile:

You have the ability to include more information on your profile than on your resume so include a link to your Linkedin profile on your resume. Remember to update your profile and make sure dates etc. agree with your resume.

Make Your Resume Easy to Read:

With a remote workforce, resumes are read on a variety of devices - desktops, tablets and phones. Remember to leave a lot of white space and bullet points. Keep paragraphs to 2-3 sentences. Applicant Tracking Systems don't always read boxes, graphs and borders so simple is best. Try opening your resumes on different devices to see how easy it is to read. Keep your resume to two pages, if you can. Remember, you can use addendum pages to list accomplishments, awards, media hits etc.

Use an up-to-date font such as Avenir, Garamond or Calibri.

Include Pandemic-Related Content:

Showing how you managed your job while working remotely could be a plus. Explain how you handled your clients, managed your staff or worked on new business in this new pandemic world. Your motivation and resourcefulness could be a plus.Vaccinated? No one is sure if this will be an issue yet. It's a personal choice to put it on your resume or not. In some cases, it might be important if the position requires you to go to the office for meetings.

The Basic Resume Rules don't Change:

Your resume must:1. Have just the pertinent information.2. Be customized for each job.3. Be strategic in content.4. Have the most relevant information at the top of every section.5. Be concise, have white space and be easy to read/scan.6. Be applicant tracking system (ATS) ready – no headers/footers, graphs, color etc.7. Not have old, outdated material.8. Include appropriate keywords.9. Use bullet points to make it easier to read.10. Be error free.

Resume Styles:

There are three basic resume styles: Chronological, Functional, and Combination.

A chronological resume is still the most used format and it includes a listing of your work history, beginning with your most recent job. This is a great format for your master resume.

A functional resume highlights your major skills areas.

A combination resume utilizes parts of both the functional and chronological resumes. It lists skills on tope followed by the work history.

Whatever format you use, remember to customize your resume to target the specific abilities and duties listed in the description.

What Goes On Your Resume?

1. Your name, address, telephone numbers and email address. Identify your phone numbers if you are putting more than one (cell, business, home, message etc.)If you are looking for a remote opportunity, put that under your personal information or in your objective/summary.

2. In your work history, put the company/agency name with a short explanation of the nature of the organization. Hiring managers might not be familiar with your employer or you might be working in a specific product unit.

3. If you are looking for work in a PR or Advertising agency, list your clients or account expertise.

4. Under education, list the school and degree.

5. If you are fluent in a language or have knowledge of specific or technical computer programs, list them. Do not use general terms like computer literate and only list languages you are fluent in (read, write and speak.)

6. Current Board/Committee memberships can show your interest in a field or philanthropic area. List them.

What Does Not Go On Your Resume?

1. Don’t list any personal information such as birthdays, marital status etc. While common practice outside of the US, it is not legal here.

2. Keep the names of your references on a separate sheet and give them out when asked.

3. Salary information does not belong on the resume. If a job ad asks for salary history, it should go in your cover letter.

4. Don’t include any activities that are not relevant. You can always make a separate addendum page if you want them.

5. The phrase, “References available on request” is outdated and should not be used.

6. If you have been working for ten or more years, you can drop the bullet points from earlier jobs. It's the company name, title and dates of employment that are necessary.

When writing your Resume, remember to:

1. Eliminate pronouns. Resumes should not include I, he/she.

2. Tailor your summary to the position you are applying.

3. Don’t include non-sequitur information.

4. Use bullet points to make it easier to read.

5. Avoid jargon/buzzwords.

6. Do not include personal information.

7. If you feel your resume is too long, eliminate from the bottom. You don’t really need bullet points for your first jobs.

8. Include as many keywords as possible. Use the keywords from the advertisement or job description when possible.

Words Not to Include on Your Resume:

Unnecessary words that don’t add anything, describe anything or showcase your writing ability should be eliminated from your resume. You want to be clear and concise so eliminate words like: Extensive experience Innovative Motivated Results-oriented Dynamic Team player Fast-paced Problem solver Entrepreneurial Liaison Business-savvy Interface with Aptitude for Works well with Good communication skills Measurable results Good work ethic Bottom-line oriented

Words to Add to Your Resume:

Directed Handled Initiated Achieved Spearheaded Maximized Increased Implemented Generated Exceeded Quantified Negotiated Organized Pioneered Presented Reviewed Strengthened Trained Collaborated

Sending Your Resume:

It’s a digital world when it comes to job hunting so your resume will be sent electronically.

Transmitting your resume with a generic name can cause it to be overlooked or to get lost in the system. Be professional and name your resume file properly. You want hiring managers to know it’s your resume and make it easier to track through their email system.

1. Use either a PDF or Microsoft Word Format.

2. Personalize your file by adding your name – MarieRapertoResume.'

3. Don’t use a version number. Just keep it simple.

Remember - Customization is King!

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Marie Raperto

Marie Raperto is a leading recruiter in the integrated marketing and communications sectors, and is President/Owner of Cantor Integrated Marketing Staffing, Inc. In 1990, she joined The Cantor Concern, Inc. as Vice President and then was made President. Previously, she was a principal and vice president with Jim Cotton Communications, Inc., an advertising/public relations/design firm. Her clients included numerous Fortune 500 industrial and services companies, as well as leading hotels and consumer products companies. She is a member of PRSA, The Healthcare and Marketing PR Society and SHRM. She serves on the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York’s Board of Directors. She is currently the treasurer of the Women of Distinction Breakfast committee and is an author and lecturer on topics dealing with Public Relations Staffing and finding employment. Her company is involved with full and part-time recruitment, organizational development, communications audits, mergers and acquisitions of PR agencies and HR consulting.

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