3 Tips for a Summer Resume Makeover

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021|

As the weather and the market heat up once again, it’s a good time to review and refresh your resume as needed. For most hiring managers or recruiters who find you through a LinkedIn search, your Bio, resume, or portfolio will be your best chance to make a first impression. Have a look now at your resume and profile to make sure it meets all the important criteria.

Does your resume tell a Story?

Resumes tell a story of your career trajectory, competencies, interests, and aspirations. Read your resume thoroughly to make sure it tells the story of your career progression and what you’ve learned from your experience(s). It’s a good time to review your employment patterns and work history.

Your social media presence should complement the resume and continue in the same narrative and brand voice. Whether it’s your social media, blogs you’ve written, or portfolio you’ve created, ensure they all present a consistent sense of your brand, your values, and your expertise.

Does your resume address gaps in work history?

If you’ve been impacted by a layoff due to Covid, make sure your resume still speaks about accomplishments, leadership, or any mid-stream projects you were involved with prior to the layoff.

In the interim, list any volunteer work, continued education, or pro-bono work you’ve done during this time.

Does your resume include ROI, ATS, and SEO?

Be mindful of changing trends and keywords in your industry and update your resume for Search Engine Optimization, as well as making it friendly and searchable for the various Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

You are your own marketing department, so familiarize yourself with the latest SEO tips and techniques that marketers use to boost visibility and apply this to both your resume and online profile.

As you review a job description, make sure your resume speaks to the must-haves (Minimum requirements) and nice-to-haves (preferred requirements) of a role, and that you are able to list key metrics and deliverables that speak to each.

For example, if a role is asking for account management, list the number of accounts handled, responsibility for volume, and share specifics for account wins, (I managed 3 accounts and 5M book of business. I grew accounts by 25% in 2019 and oversaw a team of 4).

At Artisan Creative, we know that building your dream career isn’t just about attention to detail – it’s about knowing which details matter.

We hope you’ve enjoyed the 585th issue of our weekly a.blog.

Revamping Your Resume with SEO Keywords

Tuesday, October 27th, 2020|

This has been a whirlwind year in our creative industry, impacting recruiters, clients, and candidates alike. Many companies have had to restructure or downsize, creating a large talent pool and increasing the ever-competitive market. 

Making sure your resume stands out has always been a top focus here at Artisan Creative, and it is even more vital in today’s job search environment than it ever has been before. Utilizing SEO keywords throughout your resume is an effective way to make sure that relevant information is being highlighted when you are applying to jobs.

Oftentimes when resumes are submitted, they are processed via applicant tracking and resume management systems. These systems scan the resumes and highlight keywords that are relevant to a position. If your resume isn’t crafted with SEO keywords, your resume may not even make it to the next phase of review. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of your resume with SEO keywords (and what to avoid!).

Use Industry-Specific Keywords. Are you applying for a creative agency as a web developer? Be sure to use SEO keywords such as “creative, frontend development, backend programming, and Javascript”. Or if you are a creative marketing manager searching for a creative role, updating your resume and adding SEO keywords such as “social media, email marketing, SEO, analytics, digital marketing, and project management” may raise your profile. Keep a list of effective SEO keywords that are associated with your industry handy.

Add Job-Specific Keywords. Read the job ad and see which requirements are listed. Include any keywords that match your experience. If a web developer role specifies WordPress, include it as one of your SEO keywords. The marketing manager role may prefer Adobe Analytics over Google Analytics. Be attentive to these details. By listing these job-specific keywords, a company’s tracking system will recognize your resume as relevant. 

Include Hardware and Software Proficiencies. Creative positions will require specific design or programming proficiencies. By adding these to your resume, you will increase the chances of your resume being selected by a company’s tracking system. It is also helpful to include your level of proficiency along with these keywords.

Avoid Too Many “Fluff” Keywords. While certain skills are necessary for creative jobs, a resume may become lackluster if it is encumbered by an abundance of “fluff”. If you have “great communication skills” – try to include specific examples that demonstrate how this is true. The tracking systems may pick your resume because of the general skillset, but by providing definitive examples – you can really wow an employer with your resume.

When tailoring your resume with our SEO tips, it is imperative that you are mindfully adding keywords that are relevant to your industry, your experience, and the specific job you are applying to. 

Your resume is the key to catching a potential employer’s eye and by following our guide to adding SEO keywords, your resume will really stand out amongst the rest!

We hope you’ve enjoyed the 572nd issue of our a.blog.

 

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