2020 changed everything. The job search process is no exception. Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic means you need to update your resume. These six simple resume updates can improve your chances of getting an interview. Do not submit your 2020 resume in 2021.
Some reasons the job hunt has changed in 2021 include:
7.3 million workers are looking for jobs due to COVID-19 layoffs, leading to a mass influx of job searchers in the employment market.- 33% of job seekers are willing to accept a lower salary than their most recent salary do to COVID.
- 99% of Fortune 500 Companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to screen resumes.
- Up to 75% of qualified applicants have been rejected by an ATS because the software could not read their resumes.
- Recruiters spend about 7.4 seconds glancing at resumes before deciding if the applicant is a potential fit.
- On average, a corporate job attracts 250 applicants, of which only 5 will be invited to interview.
- During the pandemic, 63% of companies conducted remote interviews and onboarding, compared to just 12% before the pandemic.
With job search odds stacked against you should make some COVID-19 changes to your resume to increase your odds of getting an interview for your next job.
Update your resume with work from home
More and more employers are embracing remote work. Therefore, you should include any work-from-home skills on your resume. Look closely at the job description to see if the company mentions any remote work collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams, Trello, Google Docs, Slack, Zoom, etc. Include these keywords on your resume where applicable.
Now is the time to widen your search. Look beyond the suburbs around your home. Instead, consider remote work with organizations where you can offer value.
Add resiliency to your resume
Next, make sure to highlight how you worked through COVID-19. The fact you got through the pandemic shows you are resilient. Highlight your achievements during the lockdown. How did you continue building on your experience? Or how did you help your business stay afloat? What new skills and tools did you learn?
Appear younger on your resume
Age discrimination is a serious issue that impacts job seekers over 45 more often than they realize. Unless the job you are applying for specifically wants 15+ years of experience with a particular skill delete it. Listing dates on your resume prior to 2005 is only going to age you. Remove outdated software versions or skills too.
Update your resume to be smart enough
If you are applying for a job requiring a bachelor’s degree but you are listing your advanced degrees (e.g., master’s or doctorate), you may be disqualified as overqualified or too expensive. Adjust your Education section to target the job posting.
- Remove your high school & graduation date.
- If you graduated from college more than five years ago, remove college graduation dates.
Be reachable on your resume
You need to use current communications channels during your job search. It makes the search easier and you can appear younger on your resume.
- Sanitize your address – a city and state are good enough – especially if you 3rd parties are involved – your safety is important.
- Dump that aol.com or yahoo.com email address. Use a Gmail or Outlook account. Careerbuilder says that 35% of hiring managers view an unprofessional email address as a deal-breaker.
- Put a LinkedIn link on your resume. A report by Jobvite says that 87% of recruiters regularly use LinkedIn.
Update your resume keywords
34% of hiring managers told Careerbuilder that missing quantifiable results on a resume is a deal-breaker. You should include keywords in your results bullets. To identify which keywords should be used in your resume, check out a free word and phrase frequency tool like Online-Utility.org’s Text Analyzer. All you need to do is copy and paste the job description and Text Analyzer will return the terms that are regularly used throughout the JD. If you possess these skills or qualifications, incorporate these terms into your resume.
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You need to update your resume with these new best practices forced on use by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. These resume changes will tilt the job search odds in your favor.
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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.
