Did you know that around 250 resumes are typically submitted for a job opportunity, and up to 88% of them don’t make the short list? A recruiter may spend up to 23 hours reviewing applicants for just one hire. As such, you want to make sure your resume stands out from the pile.

Take a look at your resume. Ideally, it should contain 475 to 600 words. Recruiters would rather review up to two-page resumes, at most. Sharing too much information will be a waste of space on your resume and a waste of time for headhunter recruitment agencies to go through. Here are some tips on how to update your resume by removing or revising these parts.

1. Replace generic objective statements with a career summary

Statements like “I am looking to expand my career opportunities and apply my skillset” just sound vague and won’t capture the recruiter’s attention. Instead, replace it with a 3-5 line career summary.

This is where you can quickly promote yourself by giving a summary of your key skills related to the role you are applying for, your achievements, and your qualifications. In a few sentences, give the recruiter the best reasons why they should hire you.

2. Don’t use unprofessional email addresses

Change your email address if it sounds offensive, unprofessional, or sexual in nature. Use a professional email address specifically for your job applications and make sure that’s the one that appears on your resume. For example, go to Gmail and create an email address for free. Ideally, use your full name. For example: “liem.nguyen@gmail.com”.

3. Remove or edit your mailing address

Back in the day, the full mailing address used to be required in resumes. But now, it may be used maliciously for identity theft. There’s no need to include your street address at this point of the application process. Just mention your city and zip code in your resume. Specify clearly in your summary section if you’re aiming to relocate and find work.

4. No need to mention your age

Same as the full mailing address, an applicant’s birth date used to be a required detail in a resume. Nowadays, it’s acceptable to remove it. Most employers practise diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, so you don’t need to disclose personal data that is not related to your ability to perform the job.

5. Exclude irrelevant social media profiles

The only social media sites that you should include in your resume are the ones that support your career goals. You don’t have to include your personal social media platforms, unless it reflects your qualifications and experience to fulfil the requirements of the role. If you have a LinkedIn account or another professional online profile (i.e., Behance for your online portfolio), make sure you include the links on your resume so recruiters and hiring managers can access it anytime, anywhere. Don’t forget to update your online profile regularly.

6. Replace job duties with actual achievements

State your accomplishments in the active voice with facts, such as “Optimised website content that increased customer engagement by 15%”. Headhunter recruitment agencies are looking for what you did, not what you’re supposed to do. Never put any false information or anything that’s misleading. Don’t exaggerate your achievements with inaccuracies.

7. Get rid of long paragraphs and go for bullet points

Employers don’t have the luxury of time to read long descriptions of your work experience, even if it’s glowing with accomplishments. Make sure your resume is easy to read. Break down your list of achievements and state them briefly with bullet points.

8. Don’t use intricate designs

You might think that adding graphics and using an elaborate layout for your resume will set you apart. Visually, yes. But recruiters will only find it annoying and time-consuming as they try to find relevant information that will tell them if you’re a good fit for the job. Keep the format clean and simple. Less is more. This will also make it easier for automated recruitment programs to scan and select your resume.

9. Take it easy with the buzzwords

Naturally, it’s important to make a good impression with your knowledge and expertise. But that doesn’t mean you should overstuff your resume with the buzzwords in your field. You’ll only come off as someone who is obviously trying too hard or you’re just showing off without real substance. You can include certain keywords but it should sound natural when you read it aloud. Remove unnecessary buzzwords and remember to stay within the recommended word count (up to 600 words). Going beyond that is only applicable for certain professions that are highly technical in nature.

10. Don’t overshare personal info

Your resume should reflect what makes you the right candidate for the job. Give the recruiter or hiring manager the relevant information that they need to help them decide. No need to put other personal details such as your family status, religious or political affiliations. Hobbies are only recommended to be added to CVs of junior candidates.

Whilst updating your resume, don’t forget to double check the grammar and spelling. You can run it through the autocorrect functions of your word processing program but don’t completely rely on them. Ask a colleague or friend to read it. They can spot mistakes that you might’ve missed.

Expert headhunting company in Vietnam

A well-organised resume can put your application on the right track and we’re ready to help you out. As a professional recruitment agency in Vietnam, The Talent Consultants welcomes job seekers to explore our employment opportunities. We seek highly skilled talent for multinational companies in the FMCG, IT, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing industries, among others. Visit our job vacancies page or submit your CV here. If your company needs workforce management and talent acquisition services, you can reach us on +84 28 7309 7991 or book your free consultation here.