Is Your Resume Still Relevant? 4 Steps On How to Improve It

Guy Clennett
is-your-resume-still-relevant-nz-feature

In the fast-paced world we live in, crafting an eye-catching resume can be challenging. Strategies that were effective a year or two ago may now be obsolete. The cover letter you once used might now be seen as out of date by recruiters and the traditional bullet points in your resume may no longer cut it. If you’re seeking advice on resume writing that’s in line with the latest trends, look no further!

How to jazz up your resume

Bear in mind that the initial impression of your resume isn’t necessarily about the content it contains, but its overall appearance. Consider the job ad, the ethos of your potential employers, and what the HR team might be after. If the job ad is targeting creative individuals, ensure your resume mirrors this.

If the job description reads formal, align your job application that way. Whether it’s a conventional resume or a creative one, immerse yourself in the hiring process by ensuring your resume looks professional. Even if the new job leans towards a rigid financial role, maintain consistent fonts and spacing throughout, prominently displaying your contact information.

Avoid simply replicating resume templates, instead tailor them to portray your unique attributes.

Use LinkedIn as an extension of your resumes

Your LinkedIn profile and other social media platforms can be powerful tools to showcase relevant experience and extra skills that perhaps didn’t fit into your resume. Most organizations, irrespective of their size are likely to check out your LinkedIn. Utilize this platform to expand on your current job, dream job, and any other professional experience you’ve acquired, including volunteer experience demonstrating your commitment to certain causes.

For recent graduates, LinkedIn can be a platform to display other accomplishments, ones that aren’t typically listed on a resume. Always keep your profile updated, even if you aren’t an active poster, hiring managers should be able to see the progress you’ve made in your career.

If you’re unsure of best practices for your LinkedIn profile, here’s a useful article on how to optimize your LinkedIn presence!

Leverage your experience

Don’t underestimate the impact of work experience. Even though grades might be considered for entry-level positions, your work history and job experience are what recruiters focus on. In the current job market, most job seekers boast some form of qualification, meaning HR will scrutinize your current job, previous jobs, and what they imply about your career goals and learned skills. Never overlook the importance of soft skills that can only be acquired through work experience during your job search.Lacking work experience? Check out this article on how to acquire it.

Keep it professional

Regardless of whether the company culture is casual or creative, maintaining professionalism is key. This entails having a serious email address. Also, verify all your details are correct to avoid getting lost in the shuffle if the company uses an applicant tracking system.

Dodge common resume mistakes by having at least three individuals proofread your resume. Avoid simply mimicking a resume example or template. Double and triple-check them— the last thing you want is to miss out on your dream job due to a minor error in your resume format.


Ultimately, your resume should act as a comprehensive guide to your work history that motivates HR to invite you for a job interview. To foster this, don’t just rely on a resume builder or generic resume templates.

Implement the aforementioned steps to create a well-rounded profile that will make hiring managers want to invest in your career growth by helping you land your next job within their organization.

Browse Results

Refine Results
Subject
Qualification
Provider
Location
Course Category
Courses found:
Top Result

Diploma in Management & Team Leadership

Show you’re management material. Get an accredited Diploma in Management to prove your competency! While many managers are promoted because of their excellent personal performance, this change in role requires the development of new skills to ach…

Administration Pathway Program – Business Administration

Give your admin career a real boost. It’s one of the most highly awarded Administration courses that you could take. This program is for those working in or seeking a Business Administration role. You’ll complete the Certificate in Business Administrat…

in partnership with

Business Administration Diploma

Take the next step towards a management role! Whether you’re looking to hone your skills, or to progress to a more senior role, our accredited online course will teach you everything you need to know to advance your administration career. You’ll learn…

in partnership with

Diploma in Child & Youth Counselling

How to change people’s lives for the better. This is a course where you can make a world of difference for children and young people. It’s a fascinating and highly detailed course where you’ll learn about theories of childhood development that include…

Certificate in Accounting

This is a course that ticks all the boxes. The Career Academy Certificate in Accounting will provide you with all the necessary skills to work in an accounting environment. There’s no prior experience needed to do the course. And once you finish, you’l…

Accounting Pathway Program

Become a Qualified Accounting Technician and member of AAT! Fast track your accounting career with The Career Academy. This Program is unique to The Career Academy and specifically designed for those working or who have worked in an entry through to in…

in partnership with

Psychology & Counselling Diploma

Understand the human mind and the counselling process with this internationally recognised qualification. You’ll learn the theory behind the skills and techniques used to successfully help people work through their problems and issues with counselling….

Certificate in Bookkeeping

Learn to balance the books with our accredited course. You’ll be able to prepare GST returns, liaise with the Inland Revenue on behalf of a taxpayer and keep business accounts, as well as learning to analyse and interpret a profit and loss statem…

in partnership with

Certificate in Business Administration

Get that job or promotion with this certificate which is supported by the AdmiNZ. This online course will help you gain practical skills to prepare you for an administration role. The course will give you the immediate knowledge to work confidently in…

Accounts Administration & Payroll Certificate plus Xero and MYOB

Up your practical knowledge and stand out from the crowd with our intermediate online course. You’ll gain skills in accounting, GST, Xero, payroll, Microsoft Excel and much more….

in partnership with

Accounting Diploma

Once you qualify, your job prospects will soar. If you’re eager to enhance your accounting skills, and pursue a career in accounting, finance or business, then this course is a must. It’s an advanced qualification that builds on the practical accountin…

in partnership with

Import and Export Advanced Course

The International Trade (Import – Export) course gives you skills that you can put to immediate use. Whether you are expanding your business into the international market, starting a business or simply looking at working for an international trade comp…

Life Coaching Course

This course provides an opportunity to interact with and learn from very successful, highly qualified and experienced professionals. It also allows you to enter a respected and fast growing professions dedicated to making difference in peoples’ lives….

Catering and Cooking Course

Become a caterer and learn essential cooking skills. This course provides an opportunity to interact with and learn from very successful, highly qualified and experienced professionals and master chefs. It also allows you to enter a profession which wi…

Nursing Assistant Course

The field of Nursing & Patient Care Assisting is a rewarding career for those who wish to work in a profession that gives back to those who need it most….

Dental Assistant Course

Become a Dental Assistant. The course provides an opportunity to interact with and learn from very successful, highly qualified and experienced professionals. It also assists you in pursuing a stable and secure career as a dental assistant….

TESOL Course

There are certain skills you need to become a successful “Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages” (TESOL). Also commonly known by the acronym’s TEFL and TESL which are used interchangeably. The ICI TESOL Program helps you learn the required…

Paralegal Secretarial Advanced Course

The ICI paralegal course has been designed in conjunction with government and industry representatives and helps you learn the skills you need to succeed within the field of law quickly and conveniently. Our program is designed for those who seek to en…

Mediation Course

The mediation and conflict resolution profession is an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling profession….

Forensics Course

The field of forensics science is a fascinating area to study….

You are currently visiting our New Zealand website Training.co.nz

Would you like to visit our Australian website instead?

Visit Training.com.au