93% of employers deem soft skills as essential for workers to succeed. But, what exactly are soft skills? And what are hard skills? And how do you showcase both in a resume? A lot of people get confused about the differences between hard skills vs. soft skills. Luckily, after this article, you won’t be one of them! Keep reading to discover more about each. What Are Hard Skills? Hard skills are the ones you’ve learned through hands-on experience, training, or education. These skills are measurable, and it’s easy to see the progression of growth in them throughout your career. Hard skills are often interchanged with technical skills. Though, this should not be confused with technical proficiencies which are commonly outlined on resumes to showcase the software and hardware someone has proficiency in. Hard skills are concrete abilities you have developed. Some of these skills are easier to learn than others. Depending on your industry, you may have to prove your expertise before you get hired for a job. For example, lawyers pass the bar exam, and computer professionals take programming tests. Hard Skills Examples There are numerous hard skills we could highlight, but we’ll outline five common hard skills that are hot in today’s hiring market. Those include: SEO Marketing People cannot naturally develop expertise in SEO marketing. This is a skill that people must learn through courses, hands-on experience, or other types of education, such as marketing degrees or certifications. Language Proficiencies Speaking another language is a hard skill that many companies want. The need for translators or bilingual professionals is on the rise. While a lot of people do learn more than language as a child, just as many learn the language through other means. This is a hard skill that could get you far in your career if you decide to develop it. Programming Languages The tech industry is a rapidly advancing and ever-changing area that is always looking for new professionals. Learning a programming language is a very popular hard skill that is in demand. Budgeting Let’s face it, not everyone is good with money and definitely shouldn’t be in charge of a company’s budget. This hard skill is one that people can learn and develop over time. Website Development Again, we go with a tech hard skill. Designing a website is one of the easier-to-learn hard skills. Many companies want website developers on staff and may require a test project before hiring a new person. What Are Soft Skills? Soft skills are developed throughout your life and aren’t easily learned through training or courses. These are “people skills” or “interpersonal skills” that many job descriptions highlight. Soft skills are directly tied to your personality. They often highlight your personal motivations or reasons behind your actions. Soft skills are just as valuable in the workplace as hard skills. Soft Skills Examples The following soft skills are the most popular ones listed in job descriptions. They are: Communication Communication is a very important soft skill needed in the workplace. Employees communicate with numerous people every day, from their coworkers to clients to their leaders. Being able to articulately communicate in a way that doesn’t confuse or offend others is a must. Leadership Not everyone is leadership material. This is why leadership is considered a soft skill. Being able to motivate, empower, and lead others is a skill that some people are simply born with. Highlighting your leadership abilities on your resume is vital if you want to progress. Even if you don’t hold a leadership role, you can still highlight examples of leadership in your resume. Decision-Making Decision-making is another soft skill that not everyone is good at. Being able to look at the whole picture and make a decision that is best for the team, the company, and everyone else involved is a critical skill. If you have this soft skill, you’ll want to show it in your resume. Critical Thinking The ability to think critically about a situation and solve a problem is an in-demand soft skill. This also ties into leadership skills. Adaptability In today’s ever-changing world, adaptability is a must. This means you can pivot and still meet deadlines even in times of uncertainty. This is a skill most companies want because it means less disruption when situations arise. How to Measure Hard Skills and Soft Skills So, how exactly do you measure your hard skills and soft skills for a resume? There are a few ways you can incorporate them throughout your document. Here are a few examples: Hard skills: Soft skills: Highlight Your Hard vs. Soft Skills Correctly–Get a Resume Update Today! Now you understand the variances between hard skills vs. soft skills. We hope this article gave you the insight needed to make your resume pop. However, if you are still struggling, we can help. At Always Writing, we have years of experience in crafting professional resumes that showcase both hard and soft skills. You won’t have to worry if you’ve captured your capabilities because we’ll do it for you! Check out our resume packages or contact us for more information.
What Is a TikTok Resume, and Do You Need One?
Over 80% of TikTok users are under 40 years old. This makes the social media app a prime hot spot for recruiting new workers. So, if you’re looking for a job, you may need a TikTok resume. You may be wondering what a TikTok resume is, you aren’t alone. In today’s ever-evolving technical world, recruiters and job seekers must adapt at the drop of a hat. In this article, we cover what a TikTok resume is. We’ll also give you some tips on how to make yours stand out to recruiters! What Is a TikTok Resume? A TikTok resume is a video resume. And it’s quickly becoming the go-to way to apply for a variety of jobs. Most of the companies posting jobs on TikTok are modern, but you never know which company could turn to TikTok next. The TikTok resumes feature is semi-new to the company. You can read more about it here. How to Make TikTok Resumes: First, you need to create a script with all of the important elements. By following a script, you ensure you don’t leave anything important out. Following the STAR method when discussing key achievements is a good idea, but remember you want to keep it short and to the point. Before you start recording your video, search the hashtag #tiktokresumes to get an idea of what other people are doing. You can learn a lot about what not to do, too. Your TikTok account must be public to make one of these resumes. It should also be free of embarrassing or inappropriate content. You don’t want to include your full name or any contact information in the video. This is a safety measure. Once your resume is completed, you’ll go to the TikTok jobs tab and submit your resume for the role you are interested in. When you do this, you’ll also fill out a form with your contact information so the company can reach out. Tips to Make Your #TikTokResume Stand Out You want your Tik Tok resume to be memorable enough that the company calls you, right? The following tips will help you make sure your video makes a lasting impression: Have Good Lighting A dark room or poorly lit area will make your video appear less professional. If you don’t have a ring light or other way to make the lighting great, consider recording your video outside in a quite space. Dress Appropriately You need to dress like you are going to an interview. With a video resume, you are giving the company their first impression of you. You need to make it a good one. Have a Professional Background No one wants to watch a video about someone wanting a job and see a toilet in the background. Where you record is very important. You want the background to be as professional as possible and distraction-free. Focus on Key Skills for the Job You Want Your TikTok resume should be tailored to the job description you are interested in. So, when you review the job description, you need to pull out the key skills the company wants. Then focus on discussing these skills when creating your video. Introduce Yourself After you greet the company, you need to introduce yourself. This is the perfect chance to give them your elevator pitch. You should include your name, where you’re located, and the job you are interested in. Other tidbits you could include are your education, where you currently work, any industry-specific certifications, or a fun fact that will make you memorable. Use the Green Screen The green screen effect can be a great addition to your TikTok resume! You can use it to show your accomplishments, such as graduation day or winning an award that stands out in your industry. If you are applying for a designer or photographer job, this would be a great chance to display some of your work. Use Background Music When we say add background music, we mean light background music that adds to your video. You don’t want to include distracting or inappropriate music. You’ll want to make sure the music is low so the company can hear what you are saying clearly. Create Textboxes to Highlight Key Skills As you discuss your key qualifications and credentials, create textboxes to emphasize the facts on the screen. This will help the viewer retain the information. Just make sure you are consistent throughout the video with things like font and text box size, and make it look professional. Have a Strong Closing You want to end this video resume with a bang. A strong closing not only invites the viewer to contact you but also tells them why they have to. If you follow these tips, you’re TikTok resume will soon be at the top of the #tiktokresumes search. Prepare Your Digital Resume Ok, so now you know all about how to create a TikTok resume. This is great, but chances are the recruiter or hiring manager is going to want to see an actual resume, too. Don’t get caught without an updated resume! Contact us today to get your digital resume in tip-top shape before gaining the attention of companies on TikTok.
A Guide On When to Use a Two-Page Resume
Did you know most recruiters and hiring managers prefer a two-page resume? For years, there has been continuous debate on if two-page resumes are okay for job seekers. While some people have very strong opinions about this question, the answer is much more complicated than an opinion conveys. One-, two-, and three-page resumes all have their place in the job search. You only need to understand when to use them and what is best for your specific situation. Below, we’ll outline when to use a two-page resume and offer some best practices to make your resume shine. Can a Resume Be 2 Pages? In short, yes it can be two pages. But…as with any job search answer, it is a bit more complicated than just a yes. The space on your resume is important real estate you want to fill with compelling information. This means you don’t want a two-page resume just because someone told you to have one. You have to have information to include that makes you stand out among competitors. When to Use 2-Page Resumes: So, when should you use a two-page resume? The following situations are the most common for two-page formats: You Have 10 or More Years of Experience Depending on how many roles you’ve held in the past 10-15 years, you may need a two-page resume. If you worked for one company but were promoted several times, you’ll want to stack those roles and show the progression on the resume. When you have a long career history, you’ll likely have more accomplishments to highlight. If so, a two-page resume is probably the best option for you. When writing a resume, hiring managers look for the past 10-15 years of experience because this is considered the most relevant. Sometimes, you do need to list more jobs to show important skills needed for the job you are applying for. A two-page resume generally allows you to have the room to do this. For Senior-Level or Executive Jobs When applying for senior-level or executive roles, you’re expected to have 10-15 years of experience. You must highlight your leadership skills when applying to these types of roles, so a two-page resume is most often the best format to use. Occasionally, you could get away with a one-page resume or even a longer three-page document. Everyone has their unique situation to consider. If you are unsure what type of resume and length you need, contact us and we’ll discuss it with you. You Have A Lot of Extras to Showcase You may be wondering what extras we’re talking about. The extras many people highlight on the second page often include the following: Publications Certifications Professional development and training Speaking engagements Technical proficiencies Awards and honors Affiliations Board membership This type of information can position you competitively against other candidates. This information is considered extra, so if you can’t include it, it’s not the end of the world. When weighing what information to include on the resume, you need to consider the job description as your resume must be tailored specifically to each role. For example, your professional experience is the star of the show. If you are limited in space, you must focus on it before anything else. If there is still room left, then you can add the extras. You’re Applying for Federal Roles If you are applying for a federal job, you likely need a resume that is much longer than two pages. Federal resumes vary in length from 2-10 pages (sometimes more) because government agencies need a lot of information from potential candidates. However, sometimes a two-page resume is sufficient. This depends on how much experience you currently have and the type of role you are applying for. Interested in seeing a two-page resume example? Check out these samples from Always Typing. Difference Between 1-Page and 2-Page Resumes There is nothing that says a one-page or two-page resume is best. The ONLY difference is the length. If you can’t fill at least half, preferably two-thirds, of the second page, you need to stick with one page. When using a two-page resume, it’s because you have valuable information to share with potential hiring managers. You shouldn’t use a two-page resume if you can’t fill the second page with vital information that will make an impact on your job search. Tips For Writing a Two-Page Resume: There are a few best practices to follow when writing a two-page resume. The top ones include: Target the Resume With Keywords Passing ATS filters is a vital component of a successful job search. Focusing the document with specific keywords for the job you are targeting will help make sure your resume reaches the right people. The length of the resume doesn’t really matter if it doesn’t get through filters and to a human. Show the Most Important Information on the First Page The second page is often not read or simply skimmed, so you want to include the most important information on the first page. This way, the reader sees it during their initial scan and it grabs their attention. This also ensures you are showing your strengths ASAP in the document. Focus on Achievements If you have a two-page resume, you don’t want it to be filled with fluff or information that isn’t going to capture your reader’s attention. You want to include as many measurable achievements as possible to fill those two pages. Get Help Writing Your Two-Page Resume Today Now you have a better understanding of when to use a two-page resume. We hope this article helped you feel a bit more confident in your job search! If you are unsure which resume length you need, you’re in the right place! Always Typing has years of experience in helping job seekers exactly like you. Check out our packages now or contact us with any questions you have.
A Guide On When to Use a One-Page Resume
Did you know hiring managers spend roughly one-third of their week sourcing candidates? When you picture how many resumes hiring managers must see each week, you’ll realize it’s vital you have a professional, eye-catching document. Many people struggle with this because they don’t know if they need a one-page resume or two pages. Both resume lengths have their place in the job search. Depending on where you are in your career, you may be able to use either option. Keep reading to learn more about when it’s the most appropriate to use a one-page resume. One-Page vs. Two-Page Resume: Which Do You Need? The best resume length for your job search will depend on a few factors. Consider the following before you choose a resume length: How much experience do you have? How many roles have you held? Do you have a lot of extras to add? Such as speaking engagements, publications, or awards. Are you entry-level? Are you a new graduate? The answer to all of these will help determine how much resume real estate you need. In the next section, we’ll go into more detail about when to use the one-page resume. When to Use a One-Page Resume If you don’t have a lot of experience to highlight or are still new to your career, a one-page resume may be the best option for your search. Several resume elements must be included on all resumes, which we’ll discuss in the next section, so you must ensure it all fits in a one-page format. The four following situations are the most common that require a one-page resume. Discover more about each: Entry-Level Entry-level candidates likely don’t have a lot of experience to highlight, so a one-page resume is perfect. A one-pager is enough information to include the summary, your areas of expertise, and any transferable skills learned through internships, other work experience, or classes. New Graduates As a new graduate, you have to have a one-page resume. Even if you worked during college and held several internships, a one-page is most appropriate for this situation. Focus on including only the most relevant and impactful information. Fewer Than 5 Years of Experience If you are still early in your career, a one-page resume might be a good fit for you. By focusing on the tips below, you can easily include the most impactful information. One Role for an Extended Time This one is rare, but some people stay in a single role for 10-20 years. In these situations, you can probably get away with a one-page resume. Even though the role was extensive, you still don’t want to overwhelm your reader. If this is the case, you want to highlight your basic duties and 5-8 key achievements. This leaves plenty of room for the summary, education, other credentials, and areas of expertise. Check out resumes written by Always Typing to compare a one-page resume template to a two-page resume. How to Make a One-Page Resume: Getting your information on one page isn’t as difficult as it might seem. There are a few tips and tricks we recommend to make sure you only highlight the relevant information. It’s also important to note that a one-page resume shouldn’t feel cramped or overwhelming to read. If you have used a super small font size and practically eliminated the margins and white space, you need to move to a two-page format. PRO TIP: You should stick to 10.5pt font or higher, and your margins shouldn’t be less than 0.5 all the way around the page. Tips for the one-page format: Target the Resume As with any resume, you want to target the resume with keywords. This will keep the top section of the resume more concise and give you more room for other information. Combine Experience if it Makes Sense If you are listing experience to show your transferable skills, it may make sense to consolidate similar roles. For example, if you were a cashier at Walmart and Old Navy during college, you can combine those roles because the duties were similar. Consolidate Achievements If possible, consolidate your achievements into one bullet. This is especially effective for a big impact you made that had a ripple effect across the organization. You can combine them under one bullet to create a more impactful bullet that will grab the reader’s attention. Only Showcase Your Top 3-5 Accomplishments It’s tempting to list all the accomplishments you’ve had because they’re important to you. It’s equally as tempting to include all details for an accomplishment. This is a bad move for a couple of reasons. First, you want to tease the hiring manager so they want to learn more. That way they will call you in for an interview and you have a talking point! Second, too many bullets are daunting to the reader and they may pass your resume over. So, focus on the most important and impactful accomplishments. Remove Irrelevant Information Some information is great to discuss when telling someone about yourself, but not fitting for a resume. For example, listing hobbies or all the clubs you joined in college doesn’t really matter in your job search. Before adding anything to the resume, stop and consider if it will provide value to the job you are seeking. If not, leave it off. Get Help Writing Your Resume Today Now you understand when a one-page resume is appropriate in your job search. A single-page resume can help you stand out from a crowd of overwhelmingly long resumes. You must understand resume writing standards and guidelines to ensure you include all elements in a shorter document. If you still have questions or aren’t sure if it fits your unique situation, we are here to help! At Always Typing Resumes, we have helped hundreds of customers just like you in writing professional resumes that helped them land their dream jobs. Check out our services today to learn more.
How to Use the STAR Method in Resumes
The average hiring manager spends 6-7 seconds looking at an incoming resume. If you want your resume to get read more, you have to make it shine. This includes the format, the font, and most importantly, the writing. You may have heard of behavioral interview questions that employers use to get information from candidates. You’re supposed to use the STAR method for answering them. Did you know that you can apply the STAR method to resumes? Applying the STAR method of responding to interview questions to how you write your resume takes it to the next level. Keep reading to learn more. What Is the STAR Method? STAR stands for: Situation Task Action Result It is a popular interview technique that recruiters and hiring managers use to determine the most qualified candidate. The method is a behavioral technique to get the most important information from a candidate about a specific accomplishment. Situation The situation is the challenge you are faced with. This can be asked in a number of ways, but is often presented as “describe a time you solved a problem at work.” You need to keep this in mind for later in the article when we cover applying this to resumes. Task The task is what you were assigned. What problem did you have to solve? Action The action outlines what you did to solve the problem. What steps were taken or activities completed to resolve the issue? Result The result is the outcome of your action. Did you save the company money? Did the solved problem have a ripple effect across the organization with several improvements? The result will be the impact when writing a resume. Why Should I Use It? There are many benefits of using the STAR method when writing your resume. It not only shows a clear accomplishment, but it also impresses recruiters. Other benefits include: You can communicate concisely and confidently about your achievements You understand your qualifications and impact You have the opportunity to outline relevant accomplishments for the job you are targeting You have impactful and detailed descriptions The method focuses on your achievements and what you have completed for an organization Allows your resume to tell a story vs. outlining tasks Positions your resume competitively against other candidates Creates many talking points for the resume Additionally, when you apply the STAR method to your writing, the reader can see the value you bring to an organization instead of just hearing about it during the interview. How to Use the STAR Method in Resumes It’s fairly simple to apply this interview method to your resume. You just need to think a little differently than you normally do. When considering your accomplishments and job duties, think about the whole picture. When you can answer each element of the STAR method, you’re ready to put it all together. At times, the situation may be your current job role. There may be many results and actions taken for that specific function. For example, let’s say you were hired to transform a failing organization into a profitable one. That is the situation and you would include it in the paragraph explaining your duties. The impact of that transformation, the tasks you were assigned, and the actions taken led to the results. These are more than likely going to be accomplishments. We should note that many situations have lengthy tasks, actions, and results to discuss. You do not want to overwhelm the reader or include every detail in your resume. When adapting this method for your resume content, you want to hit the highlights and key factors. This also opens up a lot of discussion points for the interview. PRO TIP: Your resume isn’t meant to be a chronicle of everything you’ve done during your career. It should highlight the most important achievements–those things that will make an interviewer want to ask you questions. STAR Method Resume Examples There are two main ways people use it in a resume. One is the main bullet with the situation and the following bullets are for the other aspects. The other is a consolidated bullet that hits all the elements. We’ll include an example of both: One main bullet with sub-bullets: Acted as key business development leader, tasked with increasing revenue and supporting sales staff to maximize opportunities and outcomes. Identified ongoing gap in professional development and training within sales staff. Implemented training checklist, created new curriculum, and ensured each employee completed required training sessions. Achieved 400% revenue growth. Consolidated bullet: Drove 400% revenue growth by resolving ongoing professional development and training issues within sales staff; implemented training checklist, created new curriculum, and ensured each employee completed required training sessions. Both of these examples are great and get the message across to the reader. Resumes do have length requirements, so the amount of experience and how much space you have will help guide you in which option is best for your document. Get Professional Resume Help Today Now you understand more about how to adapt the STAR method for resumes. We hope you have a clearer picture on how to position achievements on your document! If not, we can help. Our resume writing services not only use the STAR method for resume writing, but we also provide a professional, ATS-friendly format that gets you past the Applicant Tracking System and impresses hiring managers. Check out our services today to learn more.
What Is a Hybrid Resume and When Do You Use It?
As of March 2022, there were 6 million unemployed citizens in the US. That’s a lot of potential competition for your next job search. It’s clear why having a great, professionally-written resume is a must if you want to succeed. But what resume format is the best? There are functional, hybrid, and reverse-chronological resumes. Some people say two pages, others swear it has to only be one. Knowing which format is best for your specific situation and when to use each is required for job seekers. In this article, we’ll discuss the hybrid resume. You’ll find out what it is, when to use it, and get a few tips on how to write one. Keep reading to learn more. What Is a Hybrid Resume Format? A hybrid resume combines the best of a reverse-chronological and skills-based resume to create a document highlighting your strengths and experiences. This type of resume format showcases your functional skills ahead of your professional experience to give the reader a clearer picture of your abilities. Hybrid resumes are a standard format found in job searches and don’t give recruiters a weird vibe as functional resumes do. And the best part is they are ATS-friendly, meaning your resume will pass through the automated filters when written correctly. A hybrid resume has a great format for showcasing specific qualifications or skillsets. This is especially important when you need to position yourself as an expert in these areas or highlight them as transferable skills. Hybrid Resume Examples: Your hybrid resume should contain the following sections: Your name and contact information are in the header A heading for your resume A professional summary showcasing your greatest strengths and attributes An area of expertise or core competencies section A selected accomplishments or summary of qualifications section Your professional experience comes next, in reverse-chronological order Education and credentials Any additional information closes out the resume What makes this stand out as a hybrid format is the selected accomplishments and summary of qualifications section. This is the area where you can highlight the most important skills for the job you are targeting, either through specific accomplishments throughout your career history or a paragraph detailing your knowledge. Here is an example of the qualifications section for a sales professional: Drove revenue growth of $500K by forging lasting relationships with key account holders, upselling products, and securing new opportunities within network. Closed 67% more leads due to exceptional communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills that improved both customer satisfaction and engagement. Attended tradeshows, industry events, and conferences to maintain vigilant contact with existing clientele and expand network. As you can see, we only listed three bullets. This section is meant to be a quick snapshot of your strengths. Professional experience is still the star of the show and should remain the focus of the resume. When Should You Use a Hybrid Resume Template? Now that you know how to set up a hybrid resume, you’re probably wondering when to use it. There are a few different situations where a hybrid would be most appropriate. Those situations include: When You Are Changing Careers If you are changing your career, you likely don’t have experience in your new industry and role. You may be tempted to use a functional resume that places the focus only on career achievements. But, using a hybrid resume allows you to display the transferable skills that are required for the change, and it doesn’t come with the same taboo as a functional resume. The hybrid resume will help recruiters and hiring managers see you are a viable candidate with a lot to offer despite your lack of experience in the area. When You Are a Subject Matter Expert Another situation that is great for a hybrid resume is when you are an expert in the job you are applying for. Including a section to highlight your achievements will make your resume stand out to readers and show them just how accomplished you are. You can include awards, honors, or specific highlights to position yourself as a subject matter expert with a hybrid format. When You Recently Graduated or Are an Entry-Level Applicant On the flip side, maybe you are a newbie and don’t have any expertise at all. A hybrid resume will allow you to outline key projects or skills you learned in college that will be beneficial in the workforce. If you completed internships during school, putting them in this section would be a great way to show potential employers you do have some hands-on experience and are willing to learn more. When You Have Job Gaps There are thousands of reasons why a person may have career gaps. A lot of people spend time learning new skills through volunteering or taking extra courses. A hybrid resume lets you showcase not only those abilities but your other strengths. This way, when the reader gets to the gap, it’s not as important to them because you’ve already outlined your strengths. Get Help Writing a Hybrid Resume Today Now you better understand what a hybrid resume is and when to use it in your job search. People in all stages of their careers may benefit from a hybrid resume, so you must look at your situation and career progression to determine if it’s the best fit for you. Many people struggle with defining their career achievements and hire a professional resume writer to help them. If you are one of those people, we are here to help you land your next dream job! Check out our services or contact us today for more information.
