1. Update Your Skills (And Get Rid Of Irrelevant Ones)

One of the most important parts of your resume is the experience summary, which is a list of 6-8 skills in the top fold of your resume. (You can find effective resume templates inside Work It DAILY's community.) This helps your resume get past the ATS and stand out from the competition, allowing hiring managers to quickly see how you're qualified for the job.

When spring cleaning your resume, it's a good idea to update your list of skills, adding new ones and removing irrelevant ones. What skills have you developed? Which skills do you want to highlight in your job search? What skills do you need for the jobs you want to apply for, and how many of those do you currently have? Which skills are no longer relevant in your career or aligned with your career goals? Think about these questions as you decide which skills to include on your updated resume.

2. Quantify New (And Old!) Accomplishments

If you haven't done so already, when you clean up your resume, you should also quantify your accomplishments. In the bullet points under each position you've held, don't just list your job duties; highlight the impact you made. You need to talk about your accomplishments (what you achieved on the job). You need to quantify your work experience so employers can see exactly how you add value as a business-of-one.

Each bullet point should include at least one number. For example, a car salesperson might write: "Sold an average of 12 cars per week."

Once you've quantified your accomplishments from previous positions, it's time to think about your current job. What have you achieved lately? Have you exceeded sales targets, streamlined a process, or contributed to a successful project? Are there any past accomplishments you haven't quantified yet? Additionally, if you've earned a certification, completed a major project, or received industry recognition, be sure to include those details. Whatever you’ve done to add value, chances are it can be measured—and it definitely belongs on your resume.

3. Clean Up Your Formatting

The easiest way to spring-clean your resume is to simply clean up your formatting. A resume with an updated, simple format will be easier to read and have a higher chance of getting past the ATS. A resume with an outdated format will likely get tossed by hiring managers because it gives them the impression that you're old and/or out of touch.

Your resume should have a simple, clean layout with consistent styling throughout the document. Stick to bullet points for clarity and use plenty of white space to improve readability. Choose a professional, easy-to-read font like Arial or Calibri (11pt.), and avoid old-fashioned or decorative fonts like Times New Roman (or any other script font). Maintain one-inch margins for a balanced look, and limit the use of bold, italics, and underlining to key areas that need emphasis, such as section headings or job titles. When in doubt, a simple resume is the most effective.

We hope these tips help you spring-clean your resume so it's ready for your next job search! A refreshed resume highlights your most relevant skills and accomplishments, ensuring you make a strong first impression on potential employers. Taking the time to declutter outdated information, refine your formatting, and tailor your content can make all the difference in standing out. So grab a fresh perspective, polish up your resume, and get ready to put your best foot forward in your career!

Need more help with your resume?

Get access to our Free Resource Center today (no credit card required!).