2013 Resume Writing Trends

A new year has begun, and that means new job hunting trends. While resumes have played an important role for years, their format and contents have changed. The most important thing to remember in writing your resume is that 2013 is the year of showing, not telling. Here are some other resume writing trends for this year?

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2013 Resume Writing Trends

If you want to write a resume that will help you stand out, you should pay attention to these tips:

1. Social Resumes

If you are serious about landing a job in 2013, then you'll have to realize that resumes are no longer static pieces of paper. One of the most important changes in 2013 is the sociability of resumes. Resumes are becoming living entities online. Social media has changed the way hiring managers and prospective employees communicate. You can now get direct access to the people in power much more easily. Prospective employees have the opportunity to interact with, and sometimes befriend, hiring managers before applying for a position. Companies are increasingly likely to use social networks to research applicants and/or recruit. Your social media accounts are now a true first impression.

2. Twitter

The popularity of Twitter is growing astronomically. The good news is that you are probably already on it. Job seekers can harness the power of a tweet by explaining why they are an excellent candidate in 140 characters or less. Fortunately, you have 160 characters to describe yourself in your Twitter bio. Your Twitter bio is the online version of your elevator pitch. You have to use it as an opportunity to show your expertise. It is your opportunity to figure out what really makes you different. Brands refer to this as their Unique Selling Proposition (USP). Twitter is your chance to figure out your USP and develop your personal brand. Once you've hooked your prospective employee with your amazing biography, then you need to link your website, resume or other professional networking site, i.e. LinkedIn.

3. QR Codes

If you are applying for a technology-related position, then QR codes might help you stand out. A QR code is that small, square, barcode-looking image that you’ve probably seen in publications, advertising, and some product packaging. Having one on your resume shows that you're aware of technology trends, and you know how to use technology to your advantage. It's not mandatory, of course, but it can be a good way to add a coolness factor to your resume and make it stand out from the crowd. Some tips for using QR codes on your resume:

• Consider the type of position and the people you're targeting. QR codes will be more accepted by marketing-oriented employers than many other industries.
• Include your website’s URL in addition to the QR code
• Make sure the website your QR code is linked to is fully accessible and mobile-friendly

4. Infographics

A picture is worth 1000 words. Infographics are popping up everywhere online and in print too. Candidates most likely applying for visual or creative positions can use the popularity of infographics to highlight their qualifications and skills. Since infographic resumes do not cover in-depth details (they tend to be more simplistic than the standard resume), job seekers can use them to supplement their resume. In some cases, an infographic resume could catch the employer’s attention, but probably they will never replace the traditional text CV.

5. Other Useful Tips

Resumes should always be targeted, specific and quantifiable. Make sure that your resume is not only tailored to the position that you are applying to, but it should also be tailored to the company that you are applying to as well. Numbers, figures and percentages show what you can do. Quantifying your experience where possible also makes you appear more professional. I hate to break it to you, but the standard “References Available Upon Request” is really outdated. Instead of using that overused phrase, consider showing managers what others have to say about you in 2013. You can pull your strongest third party testimonials and put them at the very top of your resume. The easiest place to find testimonials is from LinkedIn recommendations. The debate of one- or two- page resumes continues. If you are making a resume that is tailored to that specific job description and company, then hiring managers can overlook the length. Edit your resume where necessary. Hiring managers are busy and have limited time. An important tip is to make sure that your resume is readable on a computer and another mobile device. Try reading your resume on a phone or tablet, because hiring managers could be reviewing your resume on a mobile device. Readability with bullets, bold fonts and short paragraphs matter more than resume length. Photo Credit: Shutterstock