A study conducted by “The Ladders” showed that recruiters took an average of 6 seconds to review resumes and there is no faster way to lose out on a potential job, then to not be considered at all. This post will help you maximize those precise seconds with a focused and easy to digest resume.

Cut The Fat:

Resumes are precious real estate, and although you don’t need to adhere to the “1-page resume” myth, it’s a good idea to remove information that isn’t relevant. Hobbies? Personal Interests? Generic phrases like “Hard-worker and Go-getter”? These would be fine to bring up in an interview, but it’s distracting noise on your resume. You also want to steer away from listing your basic job duties and keep your resume focused on your accomplishments.

1. Technology: You know that brand new tablet you just got for your birthday? A Skype interview for your dream job is probably not the best time to test out its savvy new camera. A safer choice would be your beloved MacBook that got you through all of those group projects and late nights in college. You two just understand each other. Bottom line, make sure you are confident and comfortable with whatever outlet you choose.
2. Have a Designated Interview Spot:Employers more than likely are not interested in those trendy throw pillows you just picked up from Urban Outfitters. Take the time to find a place in your home that is clean, quiet, and simple. Grandma’s favorite family photos in the background are going to become a big distraction.

The 21st Century Resume

Full disclosure- I’m not a millennial.  When I put together my first resume and started looking for a job, “social media” consisted of the group chat “party lines” where you dialed in from the phone connected to your wall, and the only mobile phone I owned was a flip phone that required a special clip to keep it attached to my belt.  We now live in an age where people can apply to jobs on their smartphones, FaceTime/ Skype interviews can be done anywhere, with anyone, no matter the distance; and the savvy professional updates their LinkedIn profile to ensure that they don’t need a resume.  So what does that mean to a person open to new opportunities?  Do you need a resume?