20 Resume Tips for 2020

There is a wealth of resume tips and best practices that professionals can employ to raise the value of their resume in 2020.

However, no two job seekers are exactly alike; therefore, what works for one person’s resume may not work for another.

Truly, the best resume tip of all is that there is No One Way to Write a Resume!

These 20 bite-sized resume tips for 2020 are designed for quick reference and easy application. Each tip links to another source so you can fully explore the topic. Apply what works best…for YOU!

20 Resume Tips for 2020:

1. Pick out a job target before you start to write the resume
2. Know yourself, know your audience, and know what matters most
3. Customize content for every job – general resumes don’t work
4. Make your value known
5. Use a tailored resume header that speaks to the job you want, not the job you have
6. Consider how ATS (applicant tracking system) will read your resume. Research how ATS works
7. Provide examples of how the application of your skills resulted in positive outcomes
8. No need to list all career history. 15 years of recent employment detail is typically sufficient
9. Highlight top career achievements and provide the proof
10. Focus on achievements, not tasks in your resume. Yes, everyone has results to share
11. Lead with results and front-load points throughout for greater impact
12. Let the resume be storytelling in nature
13. Weave the right keywords throughout the file that relate to the target role and audience
14. Use an active voice with lots of action words
15. Engage modern, well-suited design components
16. Include appropriate white space; make it easy to read
17. Content is king, but presentation matters too
18. Use strategic content to de-emphasize any employment gaps
19. Remove any possible resume red flags to help improve application success
20. Ensure the resume look and strategy isn’t ageing you. Use a modern approach

Bonus tip:

1. 21. Keep abreast of resume trends because this important career tool is always evolving!