I think we can all agree that 2020 has been a year unlike any other. That being said, your resume should reflect that! No matter what ups and downs your career has experienced this year, there are changes you can make to your resume. Here are three things that you need to do to craft a 2020 resume.
Explain Any Layoffs/Furloughs
Even in a year as crazy as this one, hiring managers will still expect you to explain any short stints of work or why you are looking for a new position. To jumpstart and take ownership of the conversation, add a quick bullet point explaining any layoffs or furloughs. No need to go deep into details; simply state why and when your employment ended.
Example:
Product Manager
ABC Company | Boston, MA | September 2019 – March 2020
- Laid off in March 2020 due to the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Analyzing sales data to review, plan, and assist with inventory management
Add Your “Quarantine Skills”
While millions of people were cooped up at home due to mandatory stay at home orders earlier this year, many sought to beef up their professional development. Whether you took a free online course, finally got around to teaching yourself Photoshop, or even learned new technology due to working remotely, be sure to add it to your 2020 resume. Not only do these skills make you more valuable, but they also help push you through tricky Application Tracking Systems and reflect that you use your free time productively. Again, keep it simple on your resume. You can explain further in your cover letter or during your interview!
Example:
Skills
Photoshop, Zoom Video Conferencing, Google AdWords, Social Media Marketing….
Include A Summary or Objective
Now, we’ve gone back and forth on whether you should include a resume summary or objective. However, during uncertain times, a summary or objective can give your resume focus. Additionally, its an opportunity to provide additional context to your current situation. Because so many professionals are pivoting their careers during this time, writing a succinct summary or objective gives the hiring manager a heads up as to why you would be a good fit for their position. (Even if your previous work history doesn’t exactly match what they’re looking for!)
When crafting your summary or objective, specifically highlight skills or personality traits that will be valuable right now. Some great examples are flexibility, remote work experience, or self-motivation.
Example:
Self-motivated Human Resources professional with five years of experience in driving results and improving the internal communication process for large-scale companies.
Final Thoughts
Now, more than ever, it’s essential to customize your resume. For more resume and job-search advice, explore our candidate resources!
