Freshen up your resume

Basic Elements

Cynthia Pong, a career coach, emphasizes the importance of essential resume components. She advises starting with personal information like your name and contact details at the top, while omitting unnecessary elements like a physical address unless it's relevant to the job location 1. Including a summary below your personal info can effectively convey your career highlights and make you stand out 2.

Keep the format of your resume streamlined and the information easy to find and read.

--- Marielle Segarra

Cynthia also suggests tailoring your work history to match the job you're applying for, ensuring your resume is both concise and impactful.

   

Education Details

When it comes to education, Cynthia recommends listing your degrees, majors, and any relevant accolades. She highlights the importance of including your major as it can spark connections with potential employers 3. Additionally, awards, certifications, and volunteer work can enhance your resume, showcasing a well-rounded profile.

If you have awards, other kinds of recognition, those are important to include.

--- Cynthia Pong

Cynthia advises against including references, as they are typically requested later in the hiring process.

   

Resume Gaps

Addressing resume gaps can be challenging, but Cynthia offers practical solutions. She suggests listing only the years of employment to minimize noticeable gaps and incorporating unpaid work or skills development activities to fill those periods 4. This approach highlights continuous personal growth and industry engagement.

Focus on how you kept improving your industry knowledge or your skills and abilities.

--- Cynthia Pong

For longer gaps, Cynthia recommends being prepared to discuss them confidently during interviews, framing them as opportunities for personal development.

   

Self-Promotion

Self-promotion on a resume is crucial yet often uncomfortable. Cynthia encourages crafting a concise summary that acts as a mission statement, highlighting your unique value and expertise 5. She reassures that stating facts about your achievements is not bragging but necessary for standing out.

It's not bragging if it's actually the facts.

--- Cynthia Pong

Cynthia also suggests including a core competencies section, listing specific skills that align with the job description, to further assert your qualifications 6.