6 Easy Ways You Can Improve Your Resume in 10 Minutes or Less

In many ways, the digital age has completely reshaped how we apply for jobs. Job seekers no longer walk into a physical location to hand an actual human being their resume. This means that your resume is making your first impression for you and it is critical that you maximize its impact.

This doesn't mean that every new job application requires you to completely reinvent the wheel. As a professional in any field, it is important to always have an updated resume at your disposal. However, whether it's been a decade or a day since your last job search, there are small improvements you can make to your resume that will make a BIG impact on your job search

If you want to make some quick adjustments to your resume try one of these ten-minute upgrades to give your resume some new shine.

Pay attention to formatting and layout

A well-formatted resume makes it easier for recruiters to find important information quickly. Since many recruiters spend only a few seconds on an initial review, a clean layout can improve your chances of getting noticed.

1.    Use a Professional Font

Use easy-to-read fonts such as:

·       Arial

·       Calibri

·       Times New Roman

·       Garamond

Use font size:

·       11–12 pt for body text

·       14–16 pt for headings

2.    Adjust Margins and Spacing

·       Set margins to 0.5–1 inch on all sides.

·       Apply consistent space between sections.

·       Leave enough white space to create a clean and professional outline.

3.   Create Clear Section Headings

Arrange your resume using titles such as:

·       Contact Information

·       Professional Summary

·       Skills

·       Work Experience

·       Education

·       Certifications

Make titles bold and slightly larger than the body text.

4. Align Everything Properly

·       All text should follow a left-alignment.

·       Align dates consistently on the right side.

·       Make sure bullet points are even.

5. Use Bullet Points Instead of Paragraphs

Standard or round bullet point would be best for accomplishments and job duties. Don’t use it to often and use a lot of action verbs to show you actually participated.

6. Keep The Layout Simple

Avoid using too many bright and expressive colors, graphics, or decorative element. A clean layout allows employers focus on you qualification.

Research the company

Judging a book by its cover is the most common thing done by employers when hiring. Employers get a lot of candidates when recruiting so they basically judge bases on your first encounter, your resume. Before handing out your resume to just any company, research its needs, goals, and accomplishments in the past few years to get a more grounded level on what you are stepping into. Use key word to highlight your professional experience and skills. Focus on what you have achieved and less on duties. Make sure to keep your layout clean and proofread religiously.

 Use Strong Action Verbs

Highlight your achievements by starting your sentences with strong action verbs like:

·       Developed

·       Achieved

·       Optimized

·       Implemented

Why?

They make your achievements stand out and show initiative and leadership skills.

 Remove Unnecessary Information

Delete:

·       Unnecessary work experience.

·       Skills which are not relevant.

·       Personal details such as religion, marital status, or state of origin (unless specifically required).

Why?

A straight forward resume is easier for employers to read and understand.

Quantify Your Work

When you quantify your work, it means adding numbers, percentages and amount or other measurable amounts to your accomplishments. It is one of the best ways to improve your resume.

Why?

·       Highlights your achievements.

·       Shows your value.

·       Gives your resume a more credible look.

·       Makes you stand out.

 Proofread carefully

Reviewing your resume helps you catch mistakes and makes you look professional.

Why?

·       Removes spelling errors or correct grammar mistakes.

·       It creates consistency.

·       Makes your work readable.

·       Forms a good first impression.

·       Helps you spot missing information.