An effective and attractive resume is your gateway to success in the best company to work! But what steps should you take to make sure that yours stands out from the rest?
It’s a new year, and it’s time to update your perfect resume so that it reflects the current trends and expectations for job seekers in 2023. Although every industry has different requirements for resumes, there are certain general rules that professional recruiters agree are essential for creating a great resume.
In this article, I’ll share with you my top tips on creating an attractive resume in 2023. Whether you’re looking to land your first job or trying to switch industries, the advice I’ll share will help you create a resume that catches potential employers’ attention—and is sure to get you an interview. Let’s get started!
Craft a Killer Opening Statement
It’s time to update your resume for the 2023 job market, and that means starting with a killer opening statement. Think of this as your elevator pitch: a brief description about who you are, where you’ve been, and what makes you the ideal candidate for the job.
Your opening statement should cover the following three areas:
- Education: Briefly mention your education background and any relevant certifications or awards.
- Experience: Highlight one key achievement from each position—whether it’s an increase in sales or customer satisfaction rates.
- Skills: Break down the skills you have that are most pertinent to the role you’re applying for so employers can quickly see how you will contribute to their organization.
By crafting an attention-grabbing opening statement, employers will want to know more about what makes you stand apart from other applicants. So take your time and make sure it’s perfect!
Put the Most Important Information on Top
When creating a resume, you only have one shot at making a good impression. So, it’s important to get your most important information out there as quickly as possible. In 2023, recruiters and hiring managers will be skimming through your resume quite quickly—so make sure that what they see first truly reflects your best qualities and qualifications.
Put the information you most want them to notice on the top of your resume: the job title(s) you’re pursuing, years of related experience, any specialty certifications or awards received, and perhaps a quick summary of what makes you unique. While formatting isn’t everything in a resume, using bullet points is an effective way to catch their attention right away.
Remember that when creating an attractive resume in 2023, it’s essential to make sure that your best skills and experiences are showcased front-and-center on the page. That way, hiring managers can quickly gage if you’re the ideal candidate for the position!
Focus on Accomplishments Rather Than Job Duties
Did you know that employers are now more interested in what you accomplished in your job, than what you actually did? That’s right—they want to know how your work impacted the company, not just a long list of duties!
So, when creating your resume for 2023, focus on giving examples of how your work made a difference. Show employers that, instead of just doing all the tasks assigned to you, you actually took initiative and looked for ways to positively influence the company and its goals.
Here’s how to do it:
- Include the scope of each project or task. How big was it? Was it big enough to have an impact on the business?
- Refer to any tools or processes implemented as part of a project. Did they make things easier, faster or more efficient in any way?
- And finally, don’t forget to mention any speaking engagements or awards that were given because of specific achievements related to your work.
By showing employers what kind of contribution you made during each role and highlighting your strengths and accomplishments, they’ll get an indication of the value you can bring to their organization—which is exactly what they’re looking for!
Leverage Social Media to Strengthen Your Resume
Social media is an important tool for any job seeker in 2023. It’s not enough to have a great resume; you also need to have an appealing social media presence in order to stand out from the competition.
Showcase Your Skillset
Your LinkedIn profile should be an extension of your resume, showing off your skillset and professional accomplishments in more detail. This can include a portfolio of work samples, awards you’ve won, and community involvement. You should make sure that the information in your LinkedIn profile matches the information in your resume—it’s all about consistency!
Demonstrate Your Personality
Your other social media accounts are a great opportunity to show off your personality. This can include photos of yourself outside of work or hobbies you’re passionate about. You should also link to any relevant content that you have created that showcases your skills—this could be articles, blog posts, videos, or podcasts.
By utilizing social media as part of your job application strategy, you can set yourself apart from other candidates. Employers want to know not just what you’ve accomplished professionally but also who you are as a person—so make sure they see it!
Use Relevant Keywords to Maximize Visibility
Want to make sure your resume stands out in 2023? One of the best tips is to incorporate relevant, keyword-rich phrases that accurately describe you and your qualifications. This will help search algorithms better understand your resume when potential employers are sifting through stacks and stacks of resumes.
It’s not enough just to sprinkle in some relevant keywords—they also have to be placed in the right spot on the page. For example, areas that employers are likely to focus on such as job titles, employers, schools and skills should all include relevant keywords.
Do Your Research
Before creating your resume, take some time to research job descriptions that match what you’re looking for. Pull key phrases and words out of these job postings and use them in your resume. This research process can help you come up with new ideas for how to describe yourself or highlight experiences that are tailored to the position you’re applying for. Make sure each word serves a purpose—focus on short, powerful words rather than long, flowery phrases and adjectives.
Be Specific
Don’t just say you have experience with “Microsoft Word.” Try using terms like “proficient in Microsoft Word” or “experienced with MS Office Suite.” Being specific shows employers that you really know what you’re talking about instead of just trying to fill blank space.
By doing a bit of research ahead of time and being strategic with your choice of keywords and phrases, you can create an attractive resume in 2023!
Choose a Modern Resume Format
Are you ready for the ultimate tip for creating an attractive resume in 2023? Make sure you choose a modern resume format! This means ditching the classic chronological format and going for something a bit more modern, like a combination or functional resume.
Modern Resume Formats
By choosing a modern resume format, you’ll have a better chance of standing out among other jobseekers. With these formats, you can showcase your skills and accomplishments right away—instead of waiting until the second or third page—which increases your odds of getting noticed by prospective employers.
Here are some popular modern resume formats:
- Combination Resume: Combines elements of both chronological and functional resumes to highlight both your skills and work experience. Be sure to emphasize accomplishments throughout your work history with this format.
- Functional Resume: This type of resume gives emphasis on skills, rather than work experience. It is great for those who are just entering the workforce for the first time, or changing careers.
- Targeted Resume: Write this type of resume when applying for specific jobs and tailor it to highlight qualifications that match the job requirements.
- Infographic Resume: Use this type of creative and attractive resume if you want to stand out from other candidates through visual graphics such as charts, timelines and icons.
So don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of resumes! Choose one which will give you an edge over the competition in 2023, so that hiring managers find it easier to read and understand at a glance what makes you an ideal candidate for the job.
Conclusion
Crafting a resume for the increasingly competitive job market of 2023 can be tricky, but with the right tips, you can create an eye-catching, informative resume that will help you stand out from the crowd. Leverage the latest technologies and trends, like AI-driven resume-scanning, bold fonts and color, interactive resumes and elevator pitches, to showcase your skillset and make your resume shine. Make sure to keep your resume up-to-date, add a personal website and utilize the power of networking to ensure you are putting your best foot forward in your job search. With these tips, you’ll have an attractive resume that will help you stand out and make a lasting impression on potential employers.
