Keep your resume updated

This one might be a no-brainer but don’t neglect your resume, even if you’re unemployed. Add every relevant volunteer opportunity or certificate to help your resume stand out. If you feel your career gap is something to hide, think again — most people have had a gap in their work experience.

And if you address it honestly, potential employers may even see your career gap as a plus. That was the time you spent learning. Once you land that job, keep updating your resume as new experiences and achievements pop up — you’ll thank yourself the next time you’re ready to hit the job market.

Source: Betterup

Resume Customization:

 Resume Customization:

The unfortunate reality is that you'll have to change your resume and cover letter to every job, factoring in job title and keywords. If you're not making adjustments, which should only take you 2-3 minutes, more than likely you will not register a high score with the ATS algorithm and there, not be deemed as a viable candidate.

Traditional Resume Format --

 Traditional Resume Format --

A great traditional resume will always be better than a mediocre “creative” one with pictures, graphs and other visuals, especially since there are no guarantees that an ATS system can read your visually appealing resume

Instagram - Things you should not mention on your resume.

 Instagram - Things you should not mention on your resume.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DA9WzuQsIRd/

More Instagram

Hiring a Resume Writer - Here is what you need to do.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-EhIBDRtQN/

TikTok - Resume Preparation

 TikTok - Resume Preparation

https://www.tiktok.com/@allanwritescareers/video/7267714331448511787

Instagram - Resume Preparation:

 Instagram - Resume Preparation:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DAXA36py7hw/

Instagram - AI Resumes

 Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated resumes = viewed as a negative by employers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_q17l_SFpC/

Customized Resumes:

 Customized Resumes:

"One size fits all" do not work. You must customize the resume according to the words / phases used in the job description. Customization should only take 2-3 minutes of your time and be focused on the:

Headline

Core Competencies

Adding Achievements Relevant to the Position of Interest

If you do not customize, you will not get through the ATS. In addition, the reader will conclude you did not read the posting and likely disqualify you as a candidate of consideration.

Company Logos in Your Resume

 Company Logos in Your Resume...While it may look "pretty", the logos will likely block the ATS. Therefore, I recommend that you refrain from adding any logos to your resume.

Listing Technology Skills on Your Resume:

 Listing Technology Skills on Your Resume:

There seems to be a school of thought that it is no longer important to list your technical skills, especially the main stream skill (i.e. MS Office; Google Workspace, proficient in Windows and / or Mac) on your resume.

I take the opposite viewpoint. If the job description says "proficient in MS Office", then include it on the resume in your "Technology Snapshot". In this this case, the employer lists this for a reason - it is a requirement of the job. They do not want Apple or Google - centric users. The ATS will pick up MS Office. Therefore, do not roll your eyes and say "every 10 year old knows Microsoft products...", just include it on your resume so it gets acknowledged by the ATS.

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Looking for a new career position or guidance about best practices for job search, including how to handle ATS? If you have a moment, please review and follow my updated Instagram account: 

www.instagram.com/allanbrownresume/

Elements that you should NEVER include on your Resume.

 Elements that you should NEVER include on your Resume.

Skill Dots

Using skill dots or bars to rate your proficiency in various skills is not something I would ever recommended. Why? Several reasons:

1. Those pretty little dots will block the applicant tracking systems (ATS).

2. Why rate yourself? You can set yourself up for disqualification. It is silly when you really think about it.

3. Whatever value you think you are getting from "visual appeal" is far outweighed by #1 and #2.

Enough said...

One Benefit of Targeting Your Resume

One Benefit of Targeting Your Resume

Have a targeted resume is motivational for your mindset.  You are "dialed in" and will be  better prepared for an interview. 

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Looking for a new career position or guidance about best practices for job search, including how to handle ATS?  If you have a moment, please review and follow my updated Instagram account: www.instagram.com/allanbrownresume/

 

Resume Targeting - Keywords

 Resume Targeting - Keywords

In order to target your resume, you need to be sure the keywords are related to the job you are applying. Therefore, conduct some research into resume keywords that are specific to the position and the industry. A 'Google" search for the "Job Title" "Keywords" will provide fruitful results.

At this point, added these terms to the "Core Skills" section of the resume. Then, take a look at some job descriptions and take note of which keywords they have in common, making adjustments to match the job description.

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SPECIAL NOTE: I am now taking on speaking engagements to groups about the following subjects:

Resume Writing

Interviewing

Ageism in the Workplace

Career Management

ATS Best Practices

Job Search Strategies

as well as accepting invitations to critique resumes, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles at trade shows, workshops, seminars and various other events. Please contact me via ajbresumes@gmail.com or 415.519.9659 for more details.

Keywords for Resumes:

 What are keywords to put in a resume?

Resume keywords can take many forms, including job titles, soft skills, technical skills, industry-specific terminology, certifications or educational background. Now, with this defined:

What are Applicant Tracking System (ATS) friendly keywords?

ATS resume keywords are the words and phrases that prove you match the company's job description. You should adjust the keyword section in the resume to match the job description. This is not "gaming" the system. This is giving yourself the best opportunity to earn a higher score within the ATS algorithm. After all, this is there "game", you are just an interested participant.

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SPECIAL NOTE: I am now taking on speaking engagements to groups about the following subjects:

Resume Writing

Interviewing

Ageism in the Workplace

Career Management

ATS Best Practices

Job Search Strategies

as well as accepting invitations to critique resumes, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles at trade shows, workshops, seminars and various other events. Please contact me via ajbresumes@gmail.com or 415.519.9659 for more details.

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www.allan-brown.com

My LI Profile - https://lnkd.in/gshNVy5

#allanbrown #keywords #followme

Core Competencies / Signature Strengths / Areas of Expertise...

This are titles I use in a resume for a section that emphasizes skills or "key words". Many job seekers identify these skills, place on their resume but neglect to alter the section based on the terms used in the job description.

You must alter the terms to match the job description or you may score lower in the applicant tracking systems (ATS). No, it is not a pain. It is 2-3 minutes of your time and as far as I am concerned, a mandatory step.

SPECIAL NOTE: I am now taking on speaking engagements to groups about the following subjects:

Resume Writing
Interviewing
Ageism in the Workplace
Career Management
ATS Best Practices
Job Search Strategies

as well as accepting invitations to critique resumes, cover letters and LinkedIn profiles at trade shows, workshops, seminars and various other events. Please contact me via ajbresumes@gmail.com or 415.519.9659 for more details.

+++++

www.allan-brown.com
My LI Profile - https://lnkd.in/gshNVy5
hashtag#allanbrown hashtag#keywords hashtag#followme hashtag#ats

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