5 Ways To Tweak Your Resume

One of the most common pieces of advice job seekers get when they don't hear back from employers is to rework their resumes. While this makes sense, it can be difficult to know where to start and how much work needs to be done.

Unless your resume is a complete disaster (tons of typos, poor formatting, etc.), chances are only a few minor tweaks will be needed to make it more attractive to hiring managers. We are often taught that it's the big changes that will make the biggest impact, but minor changes to your resume can ultimately make all the difference when it comes to getting that job.

Below are some of those small changes:

• Spell check manually: Computer spell check programs don't always pick up all the errors, so make sure you manually proofread your resume before submission. For a fresh perspective, have a friend or family member read it over, too.
• Use reverse chronological order: Employers want to know where you most recently worked, so organize your job history so that your most recent jobs are at the top.
• Simplify your language: Write short sentences and leave out personal pronouns like "I," "my," and "me."
• Format to reduce clutter: Make your resume easier to read by bolding important points and using bullet points for your job descriptions and history.
• Read it out loud: Just because a phrase sounds good in your head doesn't mean it actually sounds good. Try reading your resume out loud to catch any awkward-sounding phrases.