The hunt for a new job is an opportunity to examine your hopes and priorities. Yes, money is important, but you are leaving your old job for a reason. What is it? How can you focus your resume on a job that will be closer to what you want?
A Different Opportunity
Perhaps your current job offers few opportunities for advancement and little recognition. Perhaps you have changed your career objectives or your life goals and want a change that reflects your new vision.
Your resume should highlight every opportunity you have already grasped to (a) expand your knowledge base yourself; (b) work across departments or interact with customers; (c) promote the career of others—demonstrating a commitment to growth; and (d) improve the efficiency and productivity of your job.
Hiring managers and recruiters assume that the value you have shown in your old job, you will show in your new job.
A Different Company Culture
You are tired of the fast pace of your current company—or the slow pace. You want more collaboration—or less. You are annoyed by team-building events—or inspired by them.
Your resume should emphasize the qualities you share with the kind of company you prefer. Your opening profile should indicate the type of company culture you admire (for example, “thrives in a fast-paced environment with global reach” or “trusted advisor to employees at all levels of the organization”).
Make sure your accomplishments and volunteer experience demonstrate the skills and attitudes that would help you thrive in the company culture of your choice.
A Work-Life Balance
You may be seeking a new position because you are tired of overtime, travel, or working remotely—or you want more challenging work, more travel, and the opportunity to work from home.
Make sure your resume promotes your accomplishments and responsibilities that align with what you want from a future job. If you want less travel, downplay the amount of travel you do now in favor of accomplishments that do not depend on travel or show a commitment to, for example, virtual meetings. If you want more global travel, be sure to emphasize your language skills and any traveling you have done outside the country.
When you interview with a company, never assume that they have the same idea of overtime, travel, or remote work as you do. Get details.
Conclusion
If you have a clear understanding of what you want from a new job in terms of opportunity, culture, and work-life balance, your resume is a prime tool for letting hiring managers and recruiters know. Contact Robin’s Resumes® for help in framing your resume for your ideal new job.