Three Things Employers are Looking for in Resumes in 2018

2018 is almost here! Hard to believe, but another hiring cycle is about to start, and it’s time to tune up your resume and get it up to date with the latest standards. We’ve talked to several recruiters across healthcare, finance, marketing, B2B, and engineering/construction industries, and we’ve gathered a few of the key things employers look for that makes resumes stand out. This list is our compilation of “general advice” applicable to almost any resume – in our follow-up posts to this we’ll give you the insights from the recruiters of each industry and the specific things they look for during the hiring process.

1. Strong Aesthetic

By and large, a resume’s visual layout is the most valuable way it can differentiate itself – it can make an employer either cringe or gaze in amazement. Attractive fonts, good visual spacing, and the right design can dramatically improve a first impression before a reader even has time to read the written content and process it. This happens because human beings are hired-wired for emotional responses to visual content, and less so to logical processes that require higher level thinking. Of course, your reader will eventually have to get to the written content as well and truly think about it, but it’s much better that they do so starting from a positive reaction.

Take a look at some of the best resume templates to get an idea of what a strong aesthetic looks like:

Design 1

Design 2

Design 3

2. Skip the Paragraph Summary – Unless it’s Truly Unique

Readers want the quick low-down on your skills and competencies, and typically the big lengthy first paragraph is an eyesore and a chore to read that misses this objective. Furthermore, most people write their paragraph summary in a generic way that does nothing to stand out from the pack and is full of meaningless fluff statements. Statements like “proven leader” or “hard worker” are both subjective and not provable, which renders them meaningless. Employers will look right through this.

3. Instead, Lead with Your List of Skills

For any serious job with an actual hiring team and a rigorous hiring protocol, it should be a guarantee that you can communicate well, work hard, work well with others, and be a team player. So instead of putting these “soft skills” into a paragraph statement, create a bulleted list that lists out stronger technical skills and unique attributes that fit the job descriptions you’re shooting for. Replace “works well with others” with “Team Building and Leadership”, and you already have something that other people aren’t providing.

Beyond these 3 points, the job history content does need to be strong – which we will discuss in a later post. But it is important to know that these are 3 key areas where candidates often undersell themselves or simply botch their presentation.

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• Author Satjot "SJ" Sawhney
• Category Resume Tips
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5 Resume Mistakes Trump and Clinton Have Made That You Can Avoid

The presidential election season is currently upon the United States, and with it comes political gaffes. These noticeable mistakes often create unintended catchphrases, like Hillary Clinton’s comments linking baskets with Donald Trump supporters. They create easy material for nightly news programs via Gary Johnson’s inability to remember answers. They even create streams-of-consciousness so unique that even temperamental basketball legend Bobby Knight has tried to “settle down” Trump’s statements.

This election season, the Loft Resumes team pledges to reduce gaffes that harm your resume or CV. Enhance your content and design through the following solutions for common resume mistakes:

Resume Mistake #1: Lack of Experience

A common job search mistake is using a resume that lacks experience. The resume features a mismatched skill set or a lack of experience that creates attention-seeking white space.

Paying attention to qualifications before applying for a position is a great way to downplay a perceived lack of experience. Mentioning listed key words will help connect existing skills to the position’s needs. For example, retail experience is connected to an IT help desk position via customer service experience.

If resume white space is the issue, list any additional skills from previous positions or non-paying experience, such as volunteer work. Utilizing a professional resume design will also reduce white space and strengthen your content.

Resume Mistake #2: Experience Gap

Another common resume problem is a noticeable gap in your experience timeline. This gap could be caused by circumstances such as a deep recession, a family matter (new baby/illness), or taking college courses. If the experience gap is noticeable, it could signal that your resume is outdated.

To shorten the experience gap, use only years when listing the each position’s employment dates. For example, list a position that began in October 2013 as simply beginning in 2013. Also, list any additional unpaid experience acquired during gap times. For example, a stay-at-home mom could display fresh administrative skills acquired from managing the local preschool’s playdates.

Resume Mistake #3: Spelling/Grammar Errors

Imagine the following: You’ve spent a couple of hours crafting the perfect CV for a desirable position. You then discover a spelling error on the CV after you’ve submitted your completed application, and this error could keep you from getting an interview.

If possible, try to submit a corrected CV via the initial application or directly to the recruiter. Prevent future blunders by proofreading before starting each application. When proofreading, don’t forget to check your listed phone number or email address—an incorrect number or unprofessional address will immediately place your CV in the “no” pile.

If you submit a spelling error and proceed to the interview round, make sure to bring corrected CV copies to the interview. Choosing a new CV design also helps recruiters see your resume in a more professional light.

Resume Mistake #4: Incorrect/Negative Information

Incorrect or negative information is often associated with political campaigns, and should not be associated with your resume. Avoid listing dishonest information on your resume, including false position names, non-existent job duties, and unearned college degrees. A quick internet search will easily contradict any false resume information. Also, avoid listing any negative information about current or former employers.

Resume Mistake #5: Too Much Information

The purpose of a resume is to obtain an interview through listed experience, not through featured personal information. Do not include your social security number, age, race, or any other personal tidbits that do not pertain to your applicable skills. Also, keep in mind that listing too much information will decrease the recruiter’s ability to read your resume. Using a custom resume design will help your experience shine in a legible manner.

Mistake-Proof Your Resume!

Conducting a career search is stressful, especially during a long election season. The Loft Resumes team is here to help! Our team is dedicated to writing and designing eye-catching (and error-free!) content for your resume, CV, or cover letter. Click here to discover resume services that will further your current career path. Trust the Loft Resumes experts to create exceptional resume content, and leave the gaffes to the politicians.

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• Author Dat Le
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How to Dress for an Interview or Work in Summer

It’s that time of year. The sunny, sweltering few months where we take to the pool and crank up our ACs. But even though it’s hotter than the hinges of Hades out there, we still have to make our way to our offices. The summer heat can make dressing appropriately a bit tricky, especially if you’re a recent grad or an intern making the transition from campus to office. Of course, no one is immune to summer brain-fry, so even the most experienced professional could benefit from a little reminder. So here’s some tips on how to dress for an interview and work in the summer.

• This should be obvious, but stay away from spaghetti straps and overly low-cut tops. (Especially if you’re a guy.) It’s OK to wear sleeveless things—think shift dresses and the like—but make sure they’re not overly revealing. Cardigans and light blazers are your friend, because they help keep you from getting chilly in air-conditioned offices.
• Guys, wear shorts with caution. If your office is very casual, it can work, but get a sense of what people more senior are doing before you try it. If you’re an intern or a very new hire, you’re better off playing it safe. Ladies, avoid shorts entirely unless they’re knee-length city shorts, and even then, be careful. Capris can go either way. If you choose to wear them, make sure they’re tailored and sharp.
• There are a lot of workplaces that have an irrational and misguided dislike of flip-flops, so sadly, you should err on the side of caution and wear nice sandals or, you know, actual shoes until you get a sense of what’s acceptable in your office.
• Skirts and dresses are great in the summer, but make sure that they’re not too short. If you’d stick to a plastic chair in what you’re wearing, find something else to wear.
• Beware light fabrics overall. They’re great and summery, but they can also be too sheer or (horrors!) reveal sweat stains. Just put a shirt or cami on underneath and you’ll be fine.

Every office has a different culture, so these aren’t necessarily hard and fast rules. However, remember that when you’re low on the totem pole, you don’t have as much room to go super-casual as your more experienced coworkers. You want people to notice you for your work, not your wardrobe. There’s a lot of wisdom for that old bit of advice: dress for the job you want, not the one you have.

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• Author Dat Le
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Why ‘Get A Job’ May No Longer Be PC

Some people may try to argue that, like Fight Club says “You are not your job, you’re not how much money you have in the bank. You are not the car you drive. You’re not the contents of your wallet. You are not your khakis.” In truth, there is a lot of identity in the job you have. Just ask yourself when you meet someone new, do you volunteer this information, or do you hope they won’t ask the dreaded question, “So, what do you do?” Have you become an expert at changing the subject? Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, our jobs are a significant part of who we are and they offer us a greater sense of identity.

It wasn’t too many years ago that the regular school of thought for the professional world was that there is always a job, that the level of success in attaining a position simply rested on our “go get ’em” attitude and motivation, or lack thereof. How many of us have had that same mantra drilled into our brains before? However, this ideal scenario has become a myth and legend for water cooler fairy tales. The scary reality of today for many people is that a job, or better yet a position that requires a higher education, is becoming more of a luxury.

So, how is it that in this drastically different reality of today, we are still casting judgement and criticism towards those who don’t fit into our ideals? Take newly graduated college students for example. If he is jobless, we simply instruct him to go out and find a job. If while taking this advice, he gets a minimum wage position he is over qualified for, we tell him to stop wasting his time. If said college student decides to take an unpaid internship, we scold him for ruining the job market and degrading himself. If he does somehow manage to secure a low position in his field of study, we then scorn him for still living at home.

Everyone is fighting their own battle and is on their own path to their own version of professional success. Yes, there are those who are unemployed due to laziness or lack of ambition, but it’s no longer a guarantee that hard work will be justly rewarded. So, let’s work hard to keep the jobs we have and be more compassionate to those that are still searching.

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• Author Nicole Cash
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How to Make Friends at a New Job

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• Author Emory Cash
• Category Career AdviceFirst ImpressionFirst JobLife Lesson
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An Offer is Just a Starting Point: Tips for Negotiating a Higher Salary

For many job-seekers, the excitement that comes with receiving a job offer is tempered by the anxiety-inducing salary negotiations that go along with it. In today’s economic climate, so many of us have heard, “You’re just lucky to have a job!” so much, we’re nervous about pushing our luck when it comes to money. The negotiation process can be particularly nerve-wracking for people just beginning their careers, but even the more experienced among us get weak in the knees just thinking about haggling over compensation with their future boss.

The thing is, most employers expect you to respond to their initial offer with a counter-offer. Think about it. Who would you rather have work for you—someone who meekly accepts every proposition, no matter what, or someone who has the knowledge and confidence to negotiate the best possible outcome? Besides, if a company wants you to work for them badly enough to make you an offer, they’re not going to yank it off the table just because you asked them to reconsider terms. So take a deep breath, arm yourself with knowledge, and let’s make a deal.

Be informed. Get educated about the salary you can expect for your level of experience and education in your field in your region. There are lots of online salary calculators out there (salary.com is one that comes up a lot) to help you with your research. You can also ask trusted contacts within your field for a reasonable range, which may give you a more accurate picture, especially if you’re asking people within your search area. Know what you’re willing to accept going in, and have a number in your head you absolutely won’t go below. Be realistic, but don’t low-ball yourself. It’s a delicate balance, and the reality is that the end result will probably fall somewhere between the number you ask for and your floor.

Get them to make the first move. You’re better off if they throw out the first number, because that gives you a sense of where their heads are, but this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. If they ask you for a range and you sidestep the question, you run the risk of seeming A) shady or B) uninformed. You can either ask them what they have in mind, or refer to the above and tell them your range.

Take a breather. When they make the offer, express how happy and excited you are about the position, then tell them you’d like consider the official offer and call back. Once you see something from HR, you can call and negotiate. Here’s where you want to make your polite, professional case for the salary you want, based on your research and the value you can bring to the company. Once you’ve done so, stop talking. The ball is in their court.

We know it’s scary, but you have nothing to lose and lots to gain. Go get ‘em, tiger.

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• Author Nicole Cash
• Category Career AdviceFirst ImpressionFirst Jobjob offerLife LessonNegotiationsSalary
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An Offer is Just a Starting Point: Tips for Negotiating a Higher Salary

For many job-seekers, the excitement that comes with receiving a job offer is tempered by the anxiety-inducing salary negotiations that go along with it. In today’s economic climate, so many of us have heard, “You’re just lucky to have a job!” so much, we’re nervous about pushing our luck when it comes to money. The negotiation process can be particularly nerve-wracking for people just beginning their careers, but even the more experienced among us get weak in the knees just thinking about haggling over compensation with their future boss. 

The thing is, most employers expect you to respond to their initial offer with a counter-offer. Think about it. Who would you rather have work for you—someone who meekly accepts every proposition, no matter what, or someone who has the knowledge and confidence to negotiate the best possible outcome? Besides, if a company wants you to work for them badly enough to make you an offer, they’re not going to yank it off the table just because you asked them to reconsider terms. So take a deep breath, arm yourself with knowledge, and let’s make a deal.

Be informed. Get educated about the salary you can expect for your level of experience and education in your field in your region. There are lots of online salary calculators out there (salary.com is one that comes up a lot) to help you with your research. You can also ask trusted contacts within your field for a reasonable range, which may give you a more accurate picture, especially if you’re asking people within your search area. Know what you’re willing to accept going in, and have a number in your head you absolutely won’t go below. Be realistic, but don’t low-ball yourself. It’s a delicate balance, and the reality is that the end result will probably fall somewhere between the number you ask for and your floor.

Get them to make the first move. You’re better off if they throw out the first number, because that gives you a sense of where their heads are, but this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. If they ask you for a range and you sidestep the question, you run the risk of seeming A) shady or B) uninformed. You can either ask them what they have in mind, or refer to the above and tell them your range.

Take a breather. When they make the offer, express how happy and excited you are about the position, then tell them you’d like consider the official offer and call back. Once you see something from HR, you can call and negotiate. Here’s where you want to make your polite, professional case for the salary you want, based on your research and the value you can bring to the company. Once you’ve done so, stop talking. The ball is in their court.

We know it’s scary, but you have nothing to lose and lots to gain. Go get ‘em, tiger.

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• Author Emory Cash
• Category Career AdviceFirst ImpressionFirst JobLife LessonSalary
• Comments 0

You, The Brand

You’ve heard it before, but it’s worth repeating: there is only one you. Now, don’t quote us on this, but we’re pretty sure that makes you about as valuable as the Mona Lisa (there’s only one of her, too.) No one else can offer the unique combination of skills and personality traits you can bring to the table. That one-of-a-kind combo is what constitutes your personal brand. 

When you’re building your career, a good way to get noticed is to think of yourself as a brand.  A personal brand is simply what you want people to think about you. Every piece of communication you put out there for potential employers to see should tell that story—your website, your (public) social media profiles, and of course, your cover letter and resume. It’s no different than any other kind of advertising, except in this case, you’re the product. So how do you start creating your brand story?

Know yourself: Your first step is to figure out exactly what you offer. You should be able to state it succinctly, meaning in a single sentence or less. It’s not enough to just be a photographer or a wedding planner or an accountant. You have to isolate the unique combination of skills and personality traits that sets you apart from all of the other photographers/wedding planners/accountants. Then you have to tell people about it.

Find your strengths:  Start by talking to your friends, colleagues, professors, group members, and anyone else who has worked closely with you and knows you well. They’ll see your strengths in a completely different light than you do, and talking to them will probably help you uncover some positive attributes you never knew you had. You might also consider taking a personality inventory like the Myers Briggs test. It’s not a crystal ball, but it can reveal things about your personality and leadership style that can help you formulate your personal brand. You can also make a mood board as an exercise to focus your personal brand concept.

Know your audience: To make your brand work its hardest for you, you have to know who you’re talking to. Think carefully about the kind of person or company you want to work for, and tailor your personal brand to appeal to them. What do they need in an employee? What unique niche can you fill? Answer these questions, and then build your brand accordingly.

For more in-depth personal brand-building tips, check out this article. 

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• Author Emory Cash
• Category Career AdviceCover LettersResume Advice
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Totally Desperate Job-Hunting Attempts That Actually Worked

In total, 13.1 million Americans are out of work—more people than live in Beijing or Sao Paolo. The city proper populations of New York and Los Angeles combined do not equal the unemployed population in America.  Over four million of those job seekers have been unemployed for more than a year, and some are resorting to some pretty bizarre tactics in order to attract employers’ attention. Here are some wild job-hunting stunts that actually landed a job:

Tempting Fortune: Samantha Goldberg now works in television, but several years ago, she was trying to get a sales job at a Chicago boutique. She included a fortune cookie with her resume and cover letter. The fortune said: “If you hire me today, I promise good fortune with your sales.”   The owner gave her the job but unfortunately the business closed down a year later. Goldberg says she still uses the fortune cookie stunt to add flare to proposals at her current job.

Help a Guy Out: Peter Shankman, who now runs HARO.com, a successful web service for journalists (HARO stands for Help A Reporter Out), was so desperate for work back in 1997 that he spent 12 hours on a cold New York City street corner wearing a sandwich board with his resume on it.  He handed out 1000 resumes, got 479 calls, 78 interviews and 37 offers.  The long, cold day landed him a job with the New Jersey Devils working on web policies.

Highway Bribery:  Javier Pujals walked around Chicago wearing a sign that said: “Will Buy Interview.” He also created a site called Buyaninterview.com. According to forbes.com, Pujals' sign got him exposure from local media, and within a month, he had four job offers without actually ever paying for an interview.

Will Pay for a Lead: CNN Money reported on Jacob Share, 33, who sent his resume out to friends and family and asked them to send it out to their contacts. Share offered a $150 reward to whoever led him to a Web development manager position. He quickly got a job from one e-mail forward from a friend.

Google It: Alec Brownstein got hired after buying a Google ad targeting five creative directors who worked at his top-choice firms.  He paid 15 cents an ad to move his ad up to the top of the list when the executives googled their own names. When Ian Reichenthal of Young & Rubicam saw the ad, he called Brownstein for an interview and later hired him. 

Bright Lights, Big Job: Last December, Liz Hickok strung holiday lights on her house in Alpharetta, Georgia that read: "My wish, HR job, Liz Hickok, Linked In." According to CBSAtlanta, Hickock has gotten attention from employers as far away as Italy, but she is sifting through LinkedIn views and offers to find the right opportunity in Atlanta.

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• Author Emory Cash
• Category Career AdviceFirst ImpressionGimmicksResume Advice
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Don't Let Your Cover Letter Blend In

Photo by cinnamon girl

Agency Spy posted a pretty dead-on universal cover letter that made us laugh because it’s A) funny and B) instructive. Let’s go through it and see what we can learn, shall we? 

Zany greeting no one uses in real life!

Even if you’re applying for a job in a creative field, don’t get too wacky in your cover letter. Your personality should show, but remember that you’re making a first impression, and you should come across as a professional.

Introduction to myself in case you can’t read who this email is coming from. Brief background about myself because the only way I “know” you is by 5 degrees of LinkedIn separation.

You do have to introduce yourself, of course, but try to let your personality shine through. Remember, hiring managers read an awful lot of these things, so you want to make it interesting. Think about your audience and what they want to know about your background, and tailor your introduction accordingly.

Sentence full of innuendo that boils down to me being unemployed. Predictable comment about how your agency and me belong together, ignorant to the fact you are probably friends with several other recruiters I’m sending this exact letter to. Generic compliment that applies to every agency but, for the purposes of this email, “specifically” yours.

We all know we should be writing a new cover letter for every job we apply for, but does anyone actually do that? If you ask us, a lot more people should. Writing your cover letter specifically for the job you want allows you to make a case for why you’re the best candidate for that position. This is a great opportunity to sell yourself; don’t waste it.

Let’s talk about me some more, because I’ve forgotten all of the following information is on my resume, which I made in Microsoft Word even though I call myself creative.

By all means, be sure your resume stands out in a sea of boring Word docs—especially if you’re going into a creative field. We can help.

I’ll make a list here in paragraph form, beginning with the college I went to that taught me nothing applicable to this position. This would be the perfect place for an unfunny joke about how good the football/basketball team is going to be this year! Giant stretch here talking about my experience, because this position I’m emailing about requires 3 more years of experience than I really have.

Don’t waste space in your cover letter by restating your resume. Instead, use this opportunity to explain what those experiences have taught you and why they make you the best candidate for the position. Also, don’t overstate your qualifications. Just use your actual experiences—professional and otherwise—to make a convincing case.

Here is where I mention the name of someone you actually may know in real life, who gave me his business card once in college. I hope the name drop makes you more likely to respond to me, but what I don’t know is that guy I just mentioned got let go 8 months ago. Plus, he was kind of a [jerk]. It is now clear just how desperate I am.

Don’t be desperate. If you do happen to have a connection, you can bring it up in the letter or include that person as a reference, but make sure it’s a good, solid connection and not just some guy you met once. It’s also a good idea to get in touch with anyone you plan to name-drop to make sure that person is OK with it. You don’t want them to be blindsided if they get called for a reference, especially if they have no idea who you are.

A one word, drinking based farewell that implies I’m a fun person, and a wish that I hear from you soon.

“Sincerely” will do just fine. Remember that this is still a professional letter; don’t get too casual.

A warning/threat that I will follow up with another template email in a week if I don’t hear back from you.

It’s fine to touch base, but bugging them can be off-putting. Follow up with care.

I hope at this point that you haven’t realized I’ve spent 30 minutes writing this, but not 30 seconds proofreading it.

Please proofread your letter. Do you really want a misspelled word to be the reason your resume goes into the reject pile?

-First name

And last name. Again, professional. Plus, it can’t hurt for them to read it a couple of times so they remember it.

What’s the takeaway here? Hiring managers see roughly a million cover letters a day (probably not, but we’re sure it feels that way.) Avoid falling into these traps to make yours stand out.

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• Author Emory Cash
• Category Career AdviceCover LettersFirst ImpressionResume Advice
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