What Your Resume Should Look Like in 2016

• Daniel Bortz @DanielBortz
 

Jan. 11, 2016

    

Job seekers, give yourself an edge with some modern touches.

“In today’s job market, your resume needs to immediately stand out,” says Dawn Bugni, a professional resume writer in Wilmington, N.C. Attention spans are at an all-time short, with hiring managers spending just six seconds looking at a resume before deciding whether the applicant is worth further consideration, a recent study by TheLadders found. (That’s if a human looks at it at all; before your application even reaches a hiring manager, it usually has to make it past an automated applicant tracking system.)

As hiring continues to increase, job seekers will face stiff competition this year. Follow the tips below to make your resume shine in 2016.

Like this resume? Click here for a downloadable template. (Resume courtesy of Wendy Enelow.)

1. Enhance your contact information.

Put simply: hiring managers are busy; make their job easier by hyperlinking your email address so that you’re only one click away, says Wendy Enelow, co-author of Modernize Your Resume: Get Noticed…Get Hired. Bear in mind that you expose yourself to identify theft if you include your full mailing address, says Enelow, so only put your city, state, and zip code on your resume. Also, use active links to your LinkedIn profile and any other social media accounts that are fit for recruiters.

2. Make the page “pop.”

Depending on the industry, you can distinguish your resume by punching up the design, but exercise caution: a graphic artist, for example, has more creative leeway than an accountant.

Enelow’s co-author Louise Kursmark recommends using color to make your resume unique. To stay professional, consider making only section headers blue, for example, and leaving the rest in black, Kursmark suggests. And replace the outdated Times New Roman with a more modern font such as Cambria, Calibri, or Georgia, Enelow says. (As standard typefaces, they translate well between operating systems.)

3. Ditch the objective statement…

Today’s hiring managers aren’t concerned with what is it you’re looking for—they’re focused on finding the right hire. Thus, “the objective statement has become obsolete,” says Tiffani Murray, an HR professional and resume writer at Atlanta-based Personality On a Page.

…and lead with a summary.

To capture the hiring manager’s attention, start your resume with a short professional synopsis that states your years of experience, job history, and big career achievements. Instead of labeling the section a “summary,” use the header to highlight your area of expertise, says Enelow.

4. Guide the reader’s eye.

The Internet has changed reading behavior, says Kursmark: “People don’t read top to bottom anymore. They’re constantly skimming and looking at different parts of the page, and if you don’t structure your resume to appeal to that, a lot of good material will get overlooked.” Therefore, use bolded text to ensure your achievements stand out.

5. Beat the robots.

 Many medium and large companies use software to weed out candidates. Your resume will need the right keywords to get through, so mirror the language of the job posting, advises Bugni, and pay attention to detail. “Changing something as simple as ‘customer service’ to ‘client relations’ can get your resume approved or rejected,” she says.

6. Forgo a “skills” section.

Weave your talents into your work experience. “Employers are looking for more than a list of skills,” says Murray. “They want to know how you’ve applied them.” The exception: It’s beneficial to have a designated section when applying for a skills-based job that requires specific qualifications, such as an IT specialist.7. Maximize your real estate.

7. Maximize your real estate.

 Despite what you may have heard, you don’t necessarily need to limit your resume to one page. “A resume is as long as it needs to be to convey value. And not one word more,” says Bugni. That said, a two-page resume may be appropriate for someone with 30 years’ experience—not for a recent college graduate. To conserve space use bullet points, active verbs, and industry-specific acronyms, and don’t state the obvious (e.g., including “references available upon request”).

About Me (or Why should I be your Coach?)

I started working at a fairly young age, at 17 I joined the Army.  This bold move was prompted by the desire to get away from my smother and also to get the GI Bill for college, which was going away with the end of the Vietnam Era.  Emotionally I wasn't ready for college yet, I needed to grow up a little bit.

The best laid plans have a way of being re-routed by life.  While in the Army I met my husband, got married, got pregnant and got out of the Army.  And soon after Lindy was born, I started college at the University of Colorado.  4 years later I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science, a commission as a 2LT in the Army and a three year active duty commitment.

After three years at Ft. Carson, Co, I embarked on a career in government.  I worked for 13 years for the City of Los Angeles mostly with the Bureau of Engineering and as a Vet I was eligible for a buy back of 5 years of active military service toward my city retirement.  (If you haven't picked up on a theme here, the opportunist in me is always looking for an opportunity to benefit me).  That gave me 18 years vested toward a lifetime retirement paycheck starting at age 55.

I maintained a parallel career in the Army Reserve.  After going in and out of the Reserves I finally buckled down and completed 20 "good years" for another retirement.  Retiring from the Reserves however cost me my civilian job as it was tied to my military service.  I was fine with that though, I was ready for a break and to spend time with my husband and visit our grand kids.

And that brings me to now.  Let me step back for a moment, I got my Masters degree in Psychology in 1993 while working for the City.  When we moved to Texas I took some counseling courses with the plan of becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor, but I didn't complete the program.  So without a license I was kind of stuck, I couldn't be called a Counselor or Therapist.  Then I read about Coaching - Life Coaching in particular, and a light bulb went off.  I didn't need a license to Coach, and I could help people.  I switched focus to Career Coaching because I know something about it and quite frankly Life Coaching is difficult to market.

I have a passion for working with people especially older displaced workers who have found themselves forced into buyouts and early retirement but want to keep working.  Also people who have had extended periods of unemployment and have sort of given up on finding a job.  My goal now is to help people focus on what will give them worth.  Perhaps there is something you've always wanted to do but didn't think you could or perhaps you are a budding entrepreneur.  I want to help you find that calling and seize the moment.

Allow me to be your coach and together we will unlock your potential.


Patricia Dietz

How To Put Meaning Back Into Your Life

COMMUNICATION MOTIVATIONBY DIANA REID

Do you ever wonder why on earth you are here? You know, your purpose in life? Why you actually exist on this planet? These are probably the most subtle, yet profound, questions people ask themselves every day and I can bet you there’s probably as many different answers to these questions as there are people asking them, too. This is why instead of asking yourself why you are here and what exactly it is you should be doing, let us begin to make your experiences the answer to your questions and put some meaning and oomph back in your life, where they belong.

A Lesson on Happiness

Yes, I know, you’ve heard it before: happiness is a choice. Yes, it is, and luckily it can be practiced by anyone because the truth is you can actually override what you were originally taught, which is to play along with the rest of the world and become upset or unhappy because things are not perfect. Alright, I’m not saying always have a deluded smile on your face (people will think you’re crazy) but instead stay calm and stay happy, whilst dealing with situations that need your attention.

Follow Your Gifts and Talents

Discovering your gifts and talents will give meaning to your life and can lead to finding your purpose. Here are a few questions that will help you discover what underlying gifts and talents you have:

• What comes naturally to you?
• When do you feel the best?
• What are you doing or experiencing then?
• In what way do you love to help other people?

Make Great Connections

Spend time with the people that add to your life and lift you up. This could be anyone from friends to work colleagues. Spend less time with people that drain your energy or constantly give negative vibes. Jim Rohn puts it this way, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Begin to notice how you feel around others. (Hint: you should feel good.)

Goal Setting

If you want meaning in life this means having a plan. You don’t have to sit down for five hours every Monday setting goals for the rest of the week that you probably won’t complete anyway—please, don’t do this to yourself! But do have goals and a plan for achieving them. It shouldn’t be one of those things you hate to do, but instead have an idea of accomplishments you would like to see happen in you life and make a plan for working towards them by writing them down. Then, most importantly, take action.          

Help Others

Helping other people helps you feel good, definitely makes you feel worthy, and gives you some sense of purpose. Giving to others in time, money or helping them out in any way you can is a sure way to give yourself meaning in life. So, the question is this: Do you know anyone you can help this week?

Do Something Different

How about going to a museum, having lunch at an exclusive hotel in you hometown, or pampering yourself at home for the day? You are probably so stuck in a routine you think you don’t have the time for it. Doing something different breaks the cycle of ‘doing’ life, and gives you an opportunity to experience a break from the norm and realize you’re missing out on some of life’s experiences that really matter. Trust me, you will thank me for this!

Quit Watching TV

Seriously. I challenge you to no TV for a week, especially if you find it painstakingly impossible do without the news. You will see how this makes a difference in your life, and you may realize how addictive the box and all the negativity it portrays really is. Want to put meaning back in your life? Then turn off the TV and spend some time doing something meaningful. Simple!

Do Something You’ve Always Wanted To Do

What’s that thing you always think about doing someday? Well, guess what? Your time has come, my friend, because you’re going to do it.

Step 1. Identify your ‘thing’.

Step 2. Go do it.

If this is an impossible two-step process for you right now, then start working towards, saving, learning or doing whatever it will take to make it happen. But make your first step!

Find Your Purpose

One of the most liberating things you can do in life, in my opinion, is find your purpose. This will give you all the meaning you require for your life. It’s what life is about: finding your purpose and following through by living it. Your purpose is what drives you, what wakes you up in the morning, what gives you energy. If you do nothing else with your life, seek your purpose with all your heart so you can reap the benefits of a meaningful life!

Do you know of any ways someone can have more meaning in life? Let us know in the comments below.

Katharine Brooks Ed.D.Career Transitions

Job, Career, Calling: Key to Happiness and Meaning at Work?

What's your work orientation? And why does it matter?

How you approach your work might directly affect your level of job satisfaction and determine the meaning you find in employment. Some interesting research in work orientation comes from Dr. Amy Wrzesniewski, an Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at Yale University’s School of Management. Dr. Wrzesniewski and other researchers have been studying a classification system which can help you recognize your orientation toward your work and find ways to attain greater job satisfaction.

 Consider these three orientations toward work-- see which one applies to your current employment:

Job Orientation: Individuals who fall into this category tend to view their work as a means to an end. They work to receive the pay and/or benefits to support their hobbies, family, or life outside work. They prefer jobs which do not interfere with their personal lives. They are not as likely to have a strong connection to the workplace or their job duties. The job serves as a basic necessity in life.

Career Orientation: An individual with a “career” orientation is more likely to focus on elements related to success or prestige. This individual will be interested in the ability to move upward in his or her career, to receive raises and new titles, and to achieve the social standing which comes from the career. Careers which have a clear upward “ladder’ are appealing to those with a career orientation.

Calling Orientation: Individuals with a calling orientation often describe their work as integral to their lives and their identity. They view their career as a form of self-expression and personal fulfillment. Research conducted by Wrzesniewski and colleagues find that individuals with a calling orientation are more likely to find their work meaningful and will modify their duties and develop relationships to make it more so. They are found to be more satisfied in general with their work and their lives.

These aren’t necessarily exclusive categories: someone with a calling orientation may also desire a good salary and benefits—but individuals with a calling orientation are more likely to say that they would do their job even if they weren’t paid.

Interestingly enough, you cannot necessarily predict someone’s orientation based on their job title or income. In fact, Wrzesniewski’s research has found that most professions are fairly evenly divided—with about a third of workers falling into each category. Let's take the example of an administrative assistant:

• The administrative assistant might approach his/her work with a job attitude: “I’m working here because it was the only job available in this market. It’s OK but it’s not my life. I'm more interested in my family right now.”
• Or s/he might have a career approach: “I really want to move up.  I’m working toward becoming the CEO’s assistant. I want that office on the top floor. I want to be seen as a person with power and access to the people in this organization.”
•  Or an administrative assistant with a calling orientation might be more likely to say: “I take a lot of pride in solving our customers’ problems before they ever reach my supervisor’s desk. I consider myself an integral element in the success of our company and I enjoy the challenges I face each day.”

I have observed the presence of different work orientations when advising students who are considering medical school. Many aspiring doctors are thwarted in their career paths by the rigors of the premed curriculum or the highly selective admissions process. When they need to seek other careers, advisors often assume they will want to select another helping or health-related profession. And those with a calling orientation might. But many premed students actually have a career orientation and are more likely to seek another prestigious, powerful, or high-paying field such as the law or investment banking.

Wrzesniewski‘s research has also shown that most workplaces are evenly divided—with about one-third of workers falling into each of the categories. And as described above, within some professions it’s not uncommon to see the same three-way split among orientation.

While there is no right or wrong orientation toward work, Wrzesniewski’s research shows that individuals who have a calling orientation report higher satisfaction with their lives and work, and are more likely to “craft” their jobs to fit their strengths and interests. Wrzesniewski describes the calling orientation as a “portable benefit” for those who are generally positive about a variety of work experiences. On the other hand, those who have a job orientation may simply find more meaning in activities outside of the work setting.

So where do you think you fall in this classification system? Take a moment to think about how your orientation affects your motivation, your desire to continue with your career or find a new one, and your overall job/career satisfaction.

Not sure? You can take a questionnaire to determine your preference. Click on this link to the AuthenticHappiness website at The University of Pennsylvania. Scroll down through the list of tests, and click on the “Work-Life Questionnaire” (currently the 14th questionnaire on the list). You will be asked to register (it’s free; just create a username and password) and take the quiz. It will only take a few minutes.

Knowing your work orientation can help you find ways to motivate yourself and craft a better work situation without having to change jobs. It can also help you know what other careers might be more or equally satisfying to you. This can be particularly helpful knowledge for transitioning into a new career field.  It can also help you better understand why your colleagues approach their jobs differently from you. And if you’re a manager, the supervisory style needed to manage individuals with job orientations differs from those with calling orientations. My next blog post will focus on suggestions developed by Dr. Wrzesniewski and other researchers for crafting your job to enhance your happiness and satisfaction regardless of your orientation.Want to read more? Check out: Wrzesniewski, A., McCauley, C. R., Rozin, P., & Schwartz, B. (1997). Jobs, careers, and callings: People’s relations to their work. Journal of Research in Personality, 31, 21-33.

©2012 Katharine Brooks. All rights reserved. Find me on Facebook and Twitter.