30 days to the job you love - Day 15

With 200,000+ tech layoffs in 2023 and more being let go in early 2024, it is easy to get discouraged. Personally, I have many friends who were and are affected. For those whom I worked with, I am grateful that our paths crossed.

For 30 days, I will post a tip each day to encourage you and give you some suggestions on how to stay motivated during your job search.

Day 15

I recall a valuable advice from my former mentor: 'The optimal moment to refresh your resume is while you are employed.' However, if we find ourselves without a job, the ideal time to update our resume is a couple weeks after the job loss. This period allows us to overcome the initial shock, process our emotions, conduct a thorough self-assessment of strengths and achievements, and then carefully craft our resume. A well-crafted resume can open doors and land you that first interview appointment. Here are a few tips to help you stand out in the job search process:

1. Tailor your resume to the job by using the exact same keywords that are used in the job posting. This will help your resume pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and get into the hands of a human reviewer. For example, if the job posting states "ability to listen well to others," use the exact same words instead of "active listening."
2. Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Use numbers or percentages to highlight the impact you have made. For instance, instead of simply stating that you increased sales, specify that you increased sales by 20% within six months. Hard numbers speak volumes and can set you apart from other candidates.
3. When listing your work experience, start with your most recent role and work backwards. Focus on quantifiable results and specific achievements that demonstrate your skills and contributions. One way to do this is by linking your strengths to concrete results. For example, if your strength is leadership skill, you can showcase how the strength of leadership directly contributed to achieving positive results by stating: “Demonstrated strong leadership skills to guide cross-functional teams through multiple challenging projects, saving the company from $10 to $20 million per project.”
4. Keep your resume concise. A resume should be limited to 1 or 2 pages. If you have more experience and require additional space, consider combining some earlier roles and responsibilities. For your convenience, formatting templates for 1-page and 2-page resumes can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gcCPSZ39.
5. Before submitting your resume, proofread and edit it for accuracy and clarity. Typos, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies can leave a negative impression on employers and undermine your professionalism. Consider asking a trusted friend or colleague to review it as well, as they may catch errors that you have missed.

Remember, your resume is not the be-all and end-all of the job search, but it can certainly help you land that first interview appointment. Good luck!

“Emphasize your strengths on your resume, in your cover letters and in your interviews. It may sound obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people simply list everything they've ever done. Convey your passion and link your strengths to measurable results. Employers and interviewers love concrete data.” – Marcus Buckingham