A new season can be a good time to think about what comes next
As summer winds down and routines settle in, fall offers a natural opportunity to take stock of where you are — including in your career. If you’re looking for a new job or considering a career change, a few thoughtful updates can help your resume better reflect what you offer today and where you want to go next.
You don’t necessarily need to start over. Instead, set aside some time to review what is already there, clear away what no longer serves you and make your strongest experience easier for employers to find.
Clear Out What No Longer Fits
Your resume is valuable space. Older experience may still help tell your professional story, but not every job, duty or detail needs equal attention.
As you review your resume, ask yourself:
• Does this experience still reflect who I am professionally?
• Is it relevant to the kind of work I’m looking for now?
• Are older positions or details taking up space without adding much value?
Removing outdated or unrelated information can make room for the experience, accomplishments and skills you most want an employer to notice. If an older role demonstrates something important and transferable, keep it — but consider shortening the description.
Make Room for What's New
Your resume should reflect your growth, not just your job titles. Think about what has changed since the last time you updated it. You may have completed training, earned a certification, learned new technology, taken on additional responsibilities or developed useful skills through volunteer or community work.
Consider adding or updating:
• Certifications, courses or training
• Technical and computer skills
• Volunteer or community experience
• New responsibilities or leadership experience
• Accomplishments that show the results of your work
• Transferable skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving
Whenever possible, show what you accomplished rather than simply listing what you were responsible for. Numbers, results and specific examples can help employers understand the value you brought to a previous role.
Keep It Simple — for People and Technology
A resume does not need elaborate design to make an impression. In fact, simpler formatting can make it easier for both hiring professionals and the technology used in the application process to understand your experience.
Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to collect, organize and screen applications. These systems vary, but complicated layouts can make some resumes harder to process accurately. A clean, straightforward resume is often the safer choice.
For an ATS-friendly resume:
• Use a simple, single-column layout.
• Choose standard section headings such as Work Experience, Education and Skills.
• Use a readable, professional font and consistent formatting.
• Use standard bullet points rather than decorative symbols.
• Avoid tables, text boxes, multiple columns, logos, images and graphics for important information.
• Keep essential information out of headers and footers.
• Follow the employer’s instructions for the file format you submit.
Simple does not have to mean boring. Good spacing, clear headings and concise language can create a polished resume without relying on design elements that may distract a reader or complicate automated processing.
Tailor It for Where You’re Going
A strong resume is not always a one-size-fits-all document. When you find a job that interests you, read the posting carefully. What skills, experience and qualifications does the employer emphasize? Which of those do you genuinely have?
Make sure the most relevant parts of your background are easy to find. When the employer uses a particular term for a skill or qualification that accurately describes your experience, consider using that same language in your resume. This can make the connection between your experience and the position clearer to both recruiters and applicant tracking systems.
The goal is not to stuff your resume with keywords. It is to clearly show how your actual skills and experience match what the employer is seeking.
Give It One Last Review
Before you submit your refreshed resume, read it once more with fresh eyes. Check that your phone number and email address are current, verb tense and punctuation are consistent, and there are no spelling or formatting errors. If possible, ask someone else to review it, too. A second reader may spot an error you missed or recognize a strength you have undersold.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Not sure what to keep, what to cut or how to describe your experience? Goodwill of the Heartland can help.
Our Helms Career Centers provide free career services to job seekers, including resume assistance, job-search support, computer and internet access, computer skills training and connections to additional resources. Services are open to the public and offered at no cost.
You can stop by a Helms Career Center for in-person assistance. If getting to a career center is not convenient, complete the Get Started With Goodwill online form to request a virtual conversation with a Goodwill Career Navigator. A Career Navigator can talk with you about your goals, strengths and next steps — including help with your resume and job search.
There is no cost to the job seeker.
Your Next Opportunity Starts with a Step
Your resume tells the story of your experience, skills and growth — and helps employers see what you are ready to do next. This fall, take a little time to make sure it tells the story you want it to tell.
You do not have to make a major change all at once. Updating a few bullet points, adding a new skill or asking for another set of eyes can be a meaningful first step toward your next opportunity.