With the recent executive order regarding the government’s hiring process, skills are taking the forefront. In an effort to hire a more diverse workforce, the U.S. government will be giving a candidate’s skills and experience priority over a college degree. And while this is only being implemented at the federal level for now, you can expect companies throughout the country to follow suit. So, how can you put your skills & experiences at the forefront of your resume to get noticed?
Carve out a spot just for relevant skills
This means, you guessed it, that you need to customize your resume to each job you apply to! In this section, you should specifically highlight your skills that match the job description. Here’s a great example from The Balance Careers:
Key skills include:
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, Google+, YouTube
Content Editing: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook), WordPress
Graphic Design: Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Premiere Pro)
Be sure to write out any abbreviations, just in case your resume gets run through an ATS first! We recommend putting this section right at the top so it catches the hiring manager’s eye right away.
Use action words
It will be more important than ever to utilize action words on your resume. Instead of just listing out things you’ve done, explain your role in each project and achievement. This will give you ownership of your accomplishments. It also gives the hiring manager a first-hand look at what kind of an employee you will be. Here are some of our favorite active verbs to use when writing your resume:
Highlight courses or certifications
Just because college degrees may not be the primary factor in whether you get hired, doesn’t mean that what you’ve achieved thus far is irrelevant. Still include your education, and detail the coursework that was relevant to this position. Additionally, feel free to add any courses you’ve taken online, as long as they contribute to your career. And of course, list out any certifications you’ve earned. Some jobs require certifications, and for others, they add to your credibility and self-motivation. Again, be sure to spell out your certifications and include dates of achievement.
Navigating the current job market alone is tough. Luckily, you have JSG on your side. Once you’ve crafted a great resume, check out more of our job search tips here!
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