Top Resume Trends for 2024

Did you know that September is officially Update Your Resume Month in the US? Since we are in the midst of the fall hiring season, it's perfect timing to make sure that your critical documents follow the tried-and-true best practices along with incorporating the latest trends for 2024.

Achievements Still Matter

 As far back as 2008, job seekers have been encouraged to highlight their achievements within their resumes. Today, that still holds true.

 Think of your resume as a portfolio of your work history. Achievements or quantifiable metrics show not only what you do in your work life but also how effective you have been. Obviously, anything tied to key performance indicators (KPIs) always attracts attention, such as exceeding sales quotas by 20%, improving efficiency by 10%, or reducing production costs by 15%.

 However, your work may not hold such easy-to-capture metrics. For example, an executive assistant's success is not necessarily tied to sales performance or production numbers. In those cases, think of other ways to capture your success, such as the size of the company, total revenues of the organization, number of people supported, or new initiatives that you implemented. Whether you've quickly learned a new software or successfully managed a project, now is the moment to showcase these achievements.

ATS-Compliant Resumes

There is a ton of chatter that your resume needs to conform to the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) standards in order to populate the online applications properly. This is definitely true, but there is more flexibility than you might realize.

 ATS-compliant resumes are a combination of form and function, meaning that the format needs to be understood by the screening computers while including the relevant information to survive the screening process. It is possible still to have design elements such as color or accent pieces, however, it all depends on HOW those design elements are implemented.

 If you aren't sure if your resume is ATS-compliant, check it with a professional resume writer. You can sign up for a complimentary 30-minute consultation with one of our career coaches here:

https://www.personaltouchcareerservices.com/contact

Essential for 2024: Keep It Tweakable

Yes, the ATS is screening you based on keywords. Therefore, investing 30 minutes to tweak your resume for a specific job will increase your likelihood of landing an interview. Considering that other candidates are using AI to apply for jobs, those tweaks are even more essential.

 We like to use a skills section that is short, keyword-optimized phrases that can easily be switched around for different jobs. Consider this: if a job description is looking for "detail-oriented" and your resume states "attention to detail," well, those terms don't match. Therefore, the ATS will NOT recognize the keyword.

 You need a 60-75% match of the keywords to survive the AI screening. Make sure that your resume's format is easy to adjust to increase the match rate.

New for 2024: Impact

Unlike simple metrics, capturing your impact at an organization is the "So what?" factor. This is especially true for any leadership role.

 For example, it is not enough to say that you "fostered a positive corporate culture." The recruiters and hiring managers need to know WHY that matters:

• Improved overall productivity and reduced employee absenteeism by fostering a positive corporate culture from the top down, starting with the executive leadership team.

Warning for 2024: Avoid Writing Like ChatGPT or Other AI Tools

It's no secret that people are using AI to write or tweak their resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. But did you know that employers are utilizing their own AI to spot generated content? Their secret? Focusing on certain words and syntax that AI loves to use, including:

• Overly formal language, such as "lauded."
• Inconsistent tone and style in the writing.
• Lack of specific details.
• Unnatural sentence structure.
• Lack of personalization or individualism.

 Along those lines, many employers are using programs specifically designed to identify AI-written content. While not 100% fool proof – Yes, sometimes they screen out human-written resumes if they are not done well – we fully anticipate this screening tool to rise in the upcoming months.

Seek Professional Help

If you feel overwhelmed, consider seeking help from experts like Personal Touch Career Services. Our team can assist in improving your resume, making the updating process less daunting.

 Don't tackle this task alone! Book a free consultation with Personal Touch Career Services this September and elevate your resume into a powerful tool for your job search. Schedule a free consultation today: https://www.personaltouchcareerservices.com/contact