Here’s what mid-level employees should do to make their resume look impressive
So you have been in the industry for some years now. You have experience. That’s important, but it’s is not enough to make an impressive resume. There are many prospective candidates out there just like you. They have experience, too. How are you any different? Evolution is the key. As your career evolves, so should the format of your resume. You are no longer a fresher, and it’s time for a makeover. Let your resume tell your story. Read on for a few tips to craft a resume that will make you stand out and get noticed.
Image : shutterstock
Add a new leaf
You can add another page to your resume with your head held high. Utilise this extra space that you have earned with all the hard work you have done over the years by focussing on your recent work that is relevant to your current job goals. A useful tip: remember to include your contact information as a header on the second page as well. You lose the race the moment someone has to look for your contact details.
What are your core skills?
Core skills are a crucial part of your resume. Put them at the top of the page just after your professional summary. You want them to be read first and be accessible enough for a quick scan to give readers a good sense of your capabilities, passion and expertise. If you are using an abbreviation in your resume, make sure both the abbreviation and the full form appear throughout your resume.
Rearrange information
At this juncture in your career, the emphasis has to be entirely on the experience you have gained. Hence, rearrange your resume. You do not need to put the Education section on the top anymore, so shift it towards the end and focus more on the details of the skills you have developed since you entered the professional world.
Mention your roles and responsibilities
For every job title you have held, write a short description that highlights the responsibilities that you undertook while under those roles. Include the type of projects you managed, who your clients were, which accounts you were responsible for and details about the team that you were supervising. Below this, mention your accomplishments and contributions to and from the projects. Be specific and to the point.
Chart the graph of your career growth
Your career stands at a turning point right now. You can play with time on that piece of paper by putting things in a reverse chronological order. You have evolved, and you should emphasise this on your resume. Dedicate more space, attention and detail to the work that you have recently done and been a part of.
At this point, resume writing is a form of storytelling for you. You have to tell the story of your career – where you started and what your journey has been in the industry. If you stayed with one company for many years, the role description should emphasise how you have taken more responsibility over time. It should chart your career growth. If you struggle to get this part right, you can also try resume builders.
Numbers are important, too
You should include numbers whenever possible, whether you are describing the size of the budget that your projects were issued by your organization, the number of events you as a key member organised, the number of accolades you managed to get for your organization and the number of promotions that you got or the number of people you managed on your team or rather supervised. Quantify information wherever you get the chance.