Taking the time to do some serious career mapping is a vital first step when you’re looking to expand your opportunities. Whether you’re thinking about moving to a new company or climbing the ranks where you’re currently working, the one key tool most of us struggle to perfect is our résumé. And yet a well-written résumé has the power to get you the interviews you want, faster. Here are nine best practices that can help ensure your résumé stands out.
9 Tips for Improving Your Résumé
- Convey who you are. Whether it’s included in your résumé or cover letter, tell your story. Be sure to explain why you want this new position and the reasons you think you’re qualified.
- Research the company and include a few points that reinforce your newfound knowledge. Mention the company’s name a few times as well.
- Don’t be shy. Not all of us feel comfortable bragging about ourselves, but when it comes to your résumé, that’s exactly what you should be doing. Just be sure you don’t exaggerate—honesty works best.
- Highlight your education. If your degree ties directly to the job for which you’re applying, elaborate about your specialization or some of the coursework.
- Don’t simply list tasks and responsibilities; share your achievements instead.
- Include the extras. If you volunteer, belong to business organizations, or even had a part-time job that speaks to your skills, be sure to include it.
- Explain anything an employer might consider negative. If you’ve changed jobs frequently or had a gap in employment, be sure to smooth things out with an explanation.
- Don’t make it a novel. A good résumé should be no longer than two pages.
- Triple-check your writing! We’re all capable of botching a cut-and-paste or misspelling a company’s name, so be meticulous in your review. It might also help to have a friend proofread your work.
Further Your Career and Expand Your Opportunities by Earning Your Degree at Walden University
If you’re looking to begin or advance your career, earning a degree that’s applicable across a spectrum of industries is key. And organizations of all types and sizes are looking for qualified professionals who demonstrate proficiency in the fundamental business principles and practices that can be applied to any industry. For instance, in 2018 there were 998,716 job postings in the U.S. for BS in Business Administration (BSBA) graduates—an increase of nearly 20% from postings in 2017.1 When you earn your business degree, you can gain the in-demand skills employers seek and broaden your career opportunities.
Walden’s ACBSP-accredited BS in Business Administration program gives you access to a dynamic curriculum and the business management competencies you need to excel in any environment, from healthcare to education to government. With nine specializations to choose from, each designed to meet the real demands of today’s job marketplace, you can tailor your business degree to your interests and career goals. And at Walden, an accredited university, you can earn your degree online while you continue to work full time. That means you can better maintain a work-life balance while you advance your skill set. With online education, there’s no need to completely rearrange your schedule or commute to campus—you can take classes at whatever time of day works best for you as you earn your BSBA and expand your career opportunities.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering a suite of online business degree programs, including a BS in Business Administration. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.
1Source: Data for this analysis of job postings for professionals with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from January 1, 2017, to November 30, 2018, was retrieved using Burning Glass Technologies: Labor Insight™. Results for industry sectors and job titles are at the national level and may not reflect local and/or short-term job conditions and are subject to change.
Walden’s BS in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), and PhD in Management programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The MS in Accounting and BS in Accounting programs are also accredited by the ACBSP and have earned the organization’s Specialized Accounting Accreditation.
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.