Switching careers is a big step that many people are taking due to a slowly recovering economy or the realization that they want a new job. However, while a resume is often the most important thing that a hiring manager sees, it is often the part that gets overlooked by applicants.

There is much more to writing a good resume than just clicking the spell check button, Meredith Masse of MPower Consulting told FOX21. Not only do people need to constantly update their resume, but people need to make sure that they don’t forget key things from their resume.

Masse told the news source that if people are going to use an objective statement, they should make it a “personal branding statement.” Companies want to know what sets an applicant apart from the rest, and what they are really interested in is how your personal goals will contribute to the company.

Another thing for applicants to keep in mind, according to Masse, is to remember to use industry specific keywords in their resume. Often times resumes are scanned through a database and searched for keywords, so making sure to strategically place keywords in both the resume and cover letter.

Lastly, she said to the news source, applicants need to sell themselves. Many times people will list duties, instead of accomplishments and results. When hiring managers are comparing two resumes, it often comes down to which resume sells a person better.



According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for July was a steady 9.5%.