How to refresh your resume for 2022
The job market is hot, and there’s no denying that skilled marketers are in high demand. Employers are hard-pressed to fill critical roles, so the odds are on your side — probably more than at any other time in your career. We love to see candidates going after exciting opportunities with confidence, but first things first: Does your resume need a refresh?
From what we’ve seen lately, some job seekers are getting ahead of themselves.
“Just because employers are having a tough time filling openings doesn’t mean they’re going to waste their time considering candidates that aren’t a good fit,” says Andrea Tipton, EVP, Marketing and Talent Solutions at Freeman+Leonard. “In fact, they have less time than ever to look at resumes!”
The message is clear: Labor shortage or not, if you can’t be bothered to put forth a little effort when throwing your hat into the ring, employers won’t bother to respond to you.
And make no mistake — if you really want to be in the running for your next big opportunity, a strong resume is still how to get your foot in the door.
“A strong personal brand, a consistent presence on LinkedIn, even an impressive list of brands you’ve worked with – these are great things to have, but none of them can make up for a lackluster, generic resume,” advises Ashley Allen, Sr. Manager, Talent Solutions at Freeman+Leonard.
Your resume is what moves you from the big stack of eager hopefuls to a short list of interviewees that stand a solid chance. It’s how employers size you up against the competition. It’s worth the effort to revisit yours and ensure it positions you as the rock star you are.
Here’s how to update your resume so it’s ready to wow hiring managers in 2022:
Keep it brief (2 pages max).
With resumes, size matters. Your resume should be a brief but impactful overview of what you’ve accomplished in the past to demonstrate what you’re capable of achieving in the future.
But no matter how proud you are of the work you’ve put in over the years, avoid the temptation to turn your resume into an exhaustive list of everything you’ve done since kindergarten. Aim to make it just comprehensive enough to be compelling. Why?
1. It sparks curiosity.
As any skilled copywriter can tell you, brevity can actually work in your favor. Just as pithy copy moves buyers to action and snappy headlines get clicks, a well-crafted, concise resume can create the perception that there’s much more to the story.
Confident communicators, after all, avoid the urge to over-explain. They state the facts, but leave out unnecessary details. What’s left to the imagination often paints a much more compelling picture.
So rather than fret over how complete your resume feels, think of each bullet point as a conversation starter, for a dialogue to be picked up later in an interview.
2. It commands attention.
Our attention spans are shorter than ever, and hiring managers are no exception. As Jay Haines, founder of executive search firm Grace Blue, says:
“The days of having a six-page resume or CV are no longer relevant — even for experienced professionals or executives. Candidates have to think about the buying mindset of the person who’s looking at your resume. They don’t have the time or inclination to read your entire life’s story. Your resume shouldn’t be a long diatribe but a highlight reel of greatest hits.”
How short is short enough?
As a rule of thumb, early-career professionals should keep it to one page. If you have 10 or more years of experience, keep it to two pages, max. You can always add details under the experience section of your LinkedIn profile.
Lead with your achievements and impact.
Keeping it short is not just an exercise in keeping with conventions – it forces you to keep it high-impact, too.
“The truth is, nobody cares about all the responsibilities you’ve had in each job,” says Freeman+Leonard’s Tipton. “They want to know that you have the right background to step into the new role and are prepared to make a contribution from day one.”
This is why your resume should focus on your accomplishments. Here’s how:
1. Plug in your metrics.
To employers, numbers speak for themselves — the size of the organization, the number of people on teams you’ve led, the budget amounts you’ve managed, the growth rates you’ve influenced, and other ways you’ve moved the needle.
“Anyone can inflate their resume by using bolder words to describe their contributions,” Tipton says. “Employers know this, and are immune to it. They want to see hard numbers instead.”
Cindy Davis, former EVP, Walmart, Disney, and L Brands, suggests incorporating a simple formula: Accomplishment = Action + Results (and lead with Results!)
Example: Increased revenues 15% in year one by better targeting key customer segments
2. Show them the ‘receipts.’
Hiring managers are looking for evidence that what you’ve achieved aligns with what they need. Are you able to take on the role’s responsibilities with competence and confidence? What can you show that proves that?
As Haines says, “You’re trying to find points of reference where you can demonstrate immediate cache and value. The employer typically wants someone who’s got sector experience and who understands the rhythm, pace and nuances of the role.”
Remember, where you’ve made an impact matters. Is the hiring manager looking for big corporate in-house experience? Are they searching for someone with high-growth startup experience? An agency background? Name dropping can make a difference here. If you’ve worked with blue chip accounts or unicorns, be sure to feature those brands prominently in your resume.
Looking for resume templates? Harvard University’s Office of Career Services has several great resources to get you started.
Of course, not every potential employer will care about the same metrics, brands or experiences – so a generic, one-size-fits-all resume just won’t cut it.
“A tailored resume is really the price of entry now,” Freeman+Leonard’s Allen says. “If it doesn’t speak exactly to the job requirements, it won’t get a second look.”
Present yourself as a modern marketing leader.
Marketing is a fast-moving, ever-changing field. The best candidates recognize this, and they always strive to stay on top of trends. List your technical skills, show how you use them, and make clear that you’re familiar with hot topics, what’s going on in your industry, and major sea changes.
Your resume should represent you as someone in the know.
Outdated resume faux pas can make you look sorely out of touch. A few red flags that are easy to fix? Having an AOL or Yahoo email account, or a LinkedIn URL that’s a jumble of characters. (You can change it to something memorable!)
Not taking your LinkedIn profile seriously can also be a red flag to recruiters and hiring managers. “Your LinkedIn profile is often the first port of call,” Haines says. “Once contact is established, this can open the door to the resume stage. Your LinkedIn profile should reflect the same principles of brevity and pithiness as your resume.”
Modern marketing leaders of any rank are savvy. Fair or not, these cues basically “out you” as the opposite — or #cringe, as the TikTokers say.
Managing your career like a pro means keeping abreast of what’s current and expected. Never miss an opportunity to demonstrate that.
Sharpen your most powerful tool.
Marketing and creative professionals often have a sharp eye for detail, and can quickly identify gaps in a product’s message, or cut down an unpersuasive advertisement.
“If you’re in this field, you’re likely accustomed to putting yourself in the customer or end user’s shoes,” Allen says. “So turn the tables and treat yourself like you’re the client.”
“Look at your resume with a critical eye and play devil’s advocate, as if you’re the most cynical hiring manager at the table,” Allen says. “What’s missing? Where are the gaps? How might you fall short? Are there red flags you can proactively address?
Grace Blue’s Haines also recommends a perspective shift. “Pretend it’s someone else that you’re thinking about interviewing and give yourself a really honest critique.”
Then ask this make-or-break question: “Is this resume going to get me in the room?”
Davis recommends, “Once you have a draft, be sure to get input from colleagues, friends and mentors. Most marketers find it challenging when marketing themselves (remember the story of the cobbler’s children not having any shoes).”
Always be coachable and open to suggestions, especially from your recruiter. Make it a team effort and you’re more likely to win.
Have other questions about updating your resume to perfectly position yourself for your dream job? Our recruiters would love to help. We’re not just here to match you to the right job now — we’re also career advisors, and there’s never any fee for our services. Connect with us on LinkedIn and submit your resume at jobs.freemanleonard.com.
