Résumé Tips — Is Your Résumé WAH (Work-At-Home) Ready?
Bowling Green, KY. (September 4, 2019) - The process of finding a job can be overwhelming. Not only must you dedicate time and energy into looking for work, but you also have to do it the right way. Looking for remote work can be even trickier, but don’t despair — there are part-time, temporary, and even full-time WAH (work-at-home) opportunities available. The first step is creating a résumé that will effectively showcase your experience and abilities.
Keep in mind that a résumé’s main purpose is not to get you a job but to secure an interview. During your interview, you’ll sell yourself to your prospective employer, and if everything goes well, accept their offer of employment. Here are a few tips that will help you do just that:
Key Words are Vital
When you submit a résumé online, keep in mind that it generally gets filtered through AI (artificial intelligence) first. These software programs pick apart your
résumé looking for key words that match those used in the job description. In order to make it past these systems, be sure to include some of the employer’s keywords. Your résumé should change every time you apply for a new job.
Be Clear and Concise
Assuming you make it past the software programs and onto an actual HR professional, it’s time to keep their attention by using a bullet-point format, which is so much easier on the eyes. Nothing turns off a hiring manager faster than a lengthy novel-like narrative.
Incorporate These Five Basic Sections:
Use Action Verbs
By utilizing action verbs at the beginning of bullet points when you describe your qualifications and skills, you will gain the reader’s attention, create expectation, and show positive power.
Send a Follow-up Email
By sending a follow-up email after you apply for a job, the employer is more likely to remember you and your initiative in the future.
Final Words of Advice
While I threw quite a bit of information at you in this article about building your WAH résumé, keep in mind that you have the final say when it comes to your résumé and what you choose to include. What is right for some may not be right for others.
The résumé advice offered in this blog has been based upon our research and fieldwork to-date. Résumé and CV writing, along with career coaching are all included in our DW training package!
About the Author: Tammy is responsible for providing day-to-day oversight of Connected Nation’s Digital Works program, including a wide range of training, mentoring, and supervisory activities. These activities provide guidance for job placement and career growth.
Keep in mind that a résumé’s main purpose is not to get you a job but to secure an interview. During your interview, you’ll sell yourself to your prospective employer, and if everything goes well, accept their offer of employment. Here are a few tips that will help you do just that:
Key Words are Vital
When you submit a résumé online, keep in mind that it generally gets filtered through AI (artificial intelligence) first. These software programs pick apart your
résumé looking for key words that match those used in the job description. In order to make it past these systems, be sure to include some of the employer’s keywords. Your résumé should change every time you apply for a new job.
Be Clear and Concise
Assuming you make it past the software programs and onto an actual HR professional, it’s time to keep their attention by using a bullet-point format, which is so much easier on the eyes. Nothing turns off a hiring manager faster than a lengthy novel-like narrative.
Incorporate These Five Basic Sections:
- Heading—Include your name, city, state, ZIP, phone number, and current “professional” email address.
- Summary/Objective—Keep it short (one or two sentences) and tailored to the job description.
- Skills—Showcase your abilities and don’t undersell yourself. Create a list of skills that focus on what you can do rather than what you have done previously in the workplace. Be sure the skills that you list are relevant to the position you are seeking.
- Experience or Job History—Include the last 10 years of work experience. Gaps in employment on a résumé can be a deal breaker. Either list your experience (including paid jobs and volunteer work, which is helpful if you are trying to eliminate employment gaps) or your job history (a complete list of the work for which you have been compensated). Be sure to quantify your achievements.
- Education—Always include your relevant education and certifications. If you attended college (regardless of whether you completed a degree) you do not need to list high school.
Use Action Verbs
By utilizing action verbs at the beginning of bullet points when you describe your qualifications and skills, you will gain the reader’s attention, create expectation, and show positive power.
Send a Follow-up Email
By sending a follow-up email after you apply for a job, the employer is more likely to remember you and your initiative in the future.
Final Words of Advice
While I threw quite a bit of information at you in this article about building your WAH résumé, keep in mind that you have the final say when it comes to your résumé and what you choose to include. What is right for some may not be right for others.
The résumé advice offered in this blog has been based upon our research and fieldwork to-date. Résumé and CV writing, along with career coaching are all included in our DW training package!
About the Author: Tammy is responsible for providing day-to-day oversight of Connected Nation’s Digital Works program, including a wide range of training, mentoring, and supervisory activities. These activities provide guidance for job placement and career growth.