You’ve done the work and completed your FastForward training. You’ve even attained a few certifications, but now what? It’s time to kick-off your job search!
But before you start applying to job listings that fit your career path, you’ll probably need to update your resume, with information about your FastForward training program and the certifications you’ve received. While you’re at it, scan your resume to make sure you aren’t making these common resume mistakes, that could get your application tossed in the “no” pile.
Mistake #1: You are hiding your related experience in plain sight
You did FastForward training for a reason, to set yourself apart from other job seekers. Make sure you’re highlighting that experience so that it doesn’t get lost among all of the other experiences you’ve had. If you are struggling with how to do this, ask your Career Coach to point you in the right direction.
Where possible, cater your resume or application to the job listing. Your last job might not directly apply to your new career, but there are likely skills you can highlight that your future employer will be looking for. For example, if the job listing mentions customer service as a skill related to the job, focus on how your past experiences have allowed you to learn customer service skills. Frame your skills in a way that shows you’re ready for the career you want, not the jobs you’ve held in the past.
Mistake #2: Your resume has typos
In today’s competitive job market, you want your resume to stand out for the right reasons, not the wrong ones. One red flag to employers is a resume filled with typos. It makes a bad first impression. Here’s a list of common typos you can scan your resume for. And don’t be afraid to ask for help, it’s always a good idea to ask someone else to review your resume before submitting it.
Mistake #3: Your resume is too long
No, we’re not talking about the font being too small. Hiring managers are typically swamped with a stack of resumes and a to-do list that’s a mile long. They don’t have the time to review resumes that are pages long. Even if you’ve had a laundry list of related work experiences, condense where possible to make it easy for a someone to read quickly. You’ll also want to use bullet points to highlight the skills and experiences you’ve had in your past work, don’t use long paragraphs to describe everything you did in your three jobs, focus on the skills that will tell a hiring manager that you’ll be successful in this new job.