Returning to the job hunt can be a difficult adjustment. It can be especially challenging when it has been many years since you last updated your resume. Just as technological and clothing trends go out of style; your resume can quickly become outdated too. The standard resume writing advice of ten or twenty years ago is becoming obsolete today and could potentially do more harm than good for your chances of getting an interview. Below are several aspects of your resume that may need some updating.


Using Special Types of Paper for Printing Your Resume: Gone are the days of printing resumes on special paper such as card stock at the local printery. Instead, you should keep your resume in a nicely formatted word document. This way you can attach it to an online application or to email a prospective employer. You should still remember to have printed copies of your formatted resume on plain paper to hand out in interviews. It is also best to keep a plain text version of your resume in a word document for copying and pasting purposes when applying online.


One Page Resumes: Instead of limiting your resume to one page, make sure you include all your experience that is relative to the position you are applying for. If you have significant experience, it is preferable to have two pages that are easier to read than one page that is crammed with a lot of information.


References Available Upon Request: Since it is assumed that you will have references lined up, including this phrase in your resume is stating the obvious and is taking up precious space.
Objective Statement: The objective statement is about what you want in a future job instead of what you can do for an employer. Instead of an objective statement, create an executive summary that can highlight exactly what you have done in the past that can help your prospective employer. Since hiring managers usually skim through resumes, it is important to cut to the chase at the beginning of the resume of why you should be hired.


Outdated Technology Skills and Terminology: Look through your resume to see if you have listed any outdated software or technology as your skills. If the technology is obsolete, it’s also irrelevant on your resume and is wasting space. Also, research current jargon and buzz words in your industry and incorporate them into your resume in an appropriate way.