Millennials have our collective career expectations in a big way. Generation Y single-handedly has made it more acceptable, and perhaps even desired, to stay with an employer for a brief tenure. Having more jobs means that you are a risk-taker and risk-takers with an entrepreneurial spirit make great employees. Gen Z is also shaking things up and changing the rules when it comes to how people view one’s professional experience.
Regardless of your generation, here are three (3) things that your resume might be saying about you without you even knowing it:
1. Numerous jobs mean that you are a risk-taker: Gone are the days when you work for one employer for 30 years and then retire. Many companies no longer expect their employees to stay in a job for a decade or even five years. In fact, having a job listed on your resume that you only held for one year could be an asset – because it shows your ability to welcome change, adapt easily, and try something new. Remember, today, it is perfectly acceptable to share with a potential employer that you “always wanted to work for a start-up but soon found that such a fluid environment wasn’t a great fit for me.”
2. Traditional job titles make you look dated and out of touch: In today’s job market, everyone is focused on digital technology. However, did you know that the mere fact of having a digital term in your job title can help improve your chances of getting hired? If you are a Communications Coordinator, it’s better to call yourself a Digital Promotions and Marketing Specialist instead. Of course, if you were an intern, you can’t take on the title of CEO. However, you can and should tweak your title a bit to help the resume reader better understand and appreciate your position and role.
3. Not including “extra-curricular” hobbies and interests can make you appear as one dimensional: Your ability to share your personal interests and passions is welcome in today’s HR culture. Many progressive and traditional employers want to hire people who are multi-dimensional and are active in their communities, give back to charitable causes, and demonstrate their creativity on social media. Don’t wait until you start working at a new job to start sharing qualities and experiences that make you shine and stand out from the competition.
This week take time to tweak your resume to help ensure that it communicates and expresses who you are in the best possible light. Making these and other small but important changes can mean the difference between being a prospective applicant and a qualified employee.