It’s January, and time to fulfill that New Year’s resolution to find a better job. But before you get started filling out those applications, take some time to review your resume. Is your information up to date? Does it need a fresh look? Are you sharing the best of who you are as a candidate? These are important questions that you need to answer before sitting in front of any employer. So, we’ve compiled our top 3 resume tips for sprucing things up this year.
1. Update Your Information Yearly
A common mistake that many job seekers make with their resume is gaps in information. The New Year (or whenever you make a change) is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and make sure those gaps are taken care of. Three things to focus on are;
Work Experience – Take a moment to reflect on the previous year and make a list of any additional work experience that will “beef up” your resume. Remember, your resume is more than a list of job titles and degrees, it’s the representation of your body of work. With that in mind, what did you learn learn last year, and what accomplishments did you achieve? Did you develop new skills that have made a difference in your career? You may surprise yourself with how far you have come since the last time you visited your resume.
Additional Education – The education section of your resume is a great place to set yourself apart from the job seeker competition. Of course, all the usual education information is found here; degrees, honors, etc. Freshen up this part of your resume with any continue education courses you may have taken recently. Oh, and don’t forget about online education. Adding online courses that you completed can go a long way to show you’re motivated to grow your skills in the industry.
Contact Information – Did you make a move in last year? Change your phone number or email address? Double and then triple check the contact information on your resume to make sure it’s up to date. There is nothing more disappointing than missing opportunities because employers were not able to contact you.
2. First Impressions
Employers will see your resume before they see you. You need to make sure their first impression is a positive one. There are a number of things you can do to make sure that first impression is unforgettable.
Above the Fold – Perhaps you’ve heard the term “above the fold” in website design. It refers to the top portion of the website page before you scroll down. It also refers to the top third of your resume. The top section is what the employer is going to see first and can determine if they keep reading or toss it to the side. Refresh your resume, putting your best and most relevant experiences first.
Fresh Design – A great way to give your resume a fresh look is with a new design. Be sure not to go too crazy, especially if the company you’re applying with is more traditional. Still, adding design details and color is a great way to stand out from other applicants. Designing a resume is easier than ever today with creative design software at your fingertips. One of our favorites is Canva. Canva has several free resume design templates to choose from. Here is what your resume could look like;
Choose The Right Font – While it’s good to be creative with a resume design, the font you use should only have one goal in mind – is it readable? Most employers or hiring managers make a quick scan of the resume before diving into the particulars. So make sure the font size you choose is no smaller than 10 and can be quickly read. Some of the top fonts we suggest you use for resume content are, Garamond, Arial, Georgia, Helvetica, and Calibri.
3. Personal Website and/or Social Media
Online supplements to your resume give you the opportunity to showcase real life examples of your skills. It may be difficult to illustrate your full portfolio of experience in a resume. Personal websites and social media accounts, such as a LinkedIn profile, are great places to share real life examples and testimonials.
These are also opportunities for you to share your knowledge of the industry. Are you a Brewer? Perhaps you have written articles on fermentation or brewery management. Highlighting these will strengthen the skills you’ve already listed on your resume. Are you in Sales and Marketing? Your twitter community of coffee roasters is a great way to highlight your networking skills within the industry. Do you have a blog where you write about your passion for wine? Share your knowledge of viticulture and enology by providing a link to your wine blog in your resume.
Other Helpful Tools
At Craft Beverage Jobs, we want to provide job seekers with helpful tools that improve their chances of securing their dream job. Here are a few of the articles that job seekers view most:
- How To Write An Irresistible Cover Letter
- How to Write a Cover Letter that Gets You an Interview
- Boost Your Resume
- Coffee Jobs: Complete Guide To A Career In Coffee
- Beer Jobs: The Ultimate Guide To A Career In Craft Beer
- Wine Jobs: A Comprehensive Guide To Careers In Wine
The growth of the Craft Beverage isn’t slowing down this year. Job opportunities in the industry continue to provide careers for passionate and creative people. Make sure your resume reflects the passion and creativity that will make you the ideal candidate for the job you want.
Best of Luck!