When updating your resume, it’s important to focus on experiences that are relevant to the positions you’re applying for. Highlight transferable skills—those abilities that apply across different industries or roles, such as leadership, communication, or problem-solving.

• Tailor your resume to each job you apply for, highlighting relevant skills and accomplishments.
• Use action verbs to describe your achievements, and quantify results when possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 20%”).
• Keep it concise—ideally one page for early-career professionals, and no more than two for more experienced candidates.

Write strong resume statements by:

1. Using action verbs to demonstrate initiative.
2. Including measurable details (numbers, percentages, or outcomes) to show impact.
3. Answering the "who, what, where" and showing results to create a clear picture of your achievements.

By focusing on what you accomplished and how it benefited the organization, you’ll create strong resume content that grabs attention.

Resume Do’s:

• Do customize your resume for each job application.
• Do focus on achievements, not just responsibilities.
• Do include up-to-date contact information and a professional email address.

Resume Don’ts:

• Don’t use too much jargon or industry-specific acronyms that may confuse non-expert readers.
• Don’t include personal information like your photo, marital status, or age.
• Don’t lie or exaggerate your qualifications—integrity is key.

Navigating a career transition? Use these tips to effectively update your resume and showcase your experience:

Highlight Transferable Skills:

• Focus on the skills listed in the job description, whether they are technical or general, like communication or attention to detail.
• Customize your resume to demonstrate how your current skills apply to your new career path.

Consider an "Additional Experience" Section:

• Include a section lower on your resume for older or less directly relevant experience. This keeps the focus on what matters most for your new career while still acknowledging your broader experience.

Use a Professional/Qualifications Summary:

• Depending on your field (e.g., engineering, marketing, management), a summary at the top of your resume can help explain how your skills and experience are connected to your new area of interest.

Recent Education or Training:

• If you’ve recently completed a degree, certification, or training relevant to your desired field, place this near the top of your resume to emphasize your commitment and preparedness.

Placing Your Education:

• If your education is less relevant to your new field and you have extensive experience, consider moving the education section to the bottom of the page.

Two-Page Resume Guidelines:

• Use a two-page resume only if the information on the second page is highly relevant to your new career field. Focus on quality, not quantity.

Leverage these strategies to create a resume that reflects your strengths and aligns with your new career goals!

Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes for specific keywords before a human ever reviews them. To ensure your resume makes it through the ATS, follow these tips:

• Use Simple Formatting: Avoid graphics, tables, and complex designs that ATS might not recognize.
• Incorporate Job-Specific Keywords: Tailor your resume to include relevant keywords from the job description.
• Stick to Standard Fonts: Use easy-to-read fonts like Arial or Times New Roman.
• Save in ATS-Friendly Formats: Submit your resume as a .docx or .pdf file to ensure compatibility with the system.

These steps can help ensure your resume gets noticed by both ATS and hiring managers!

Now that You've Drafted Your Content, It's Time to Build an ATS-Friendly Resume!

Follow these tips to ensure your resume passes through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and reaches the hiring manager:

• Keep the Formatting Simple:
  • Use standard fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri in 10-12 point size.
  • Avoid complex designs, tables, images, or graphics. Stick to a clean, text-based layout.
• Use Clear Headings and Bullet Points:
  • Organize sections with clear headings (e.g., “Work Experience,” “Education,” “Skills”).
  • Bullet points make your resume easy to skim and help ATS recognize key information.
• Avoid Photos or Fancy Elements:
  • Do not include a photo, logos, or other visual elements—ATS can’t process them, and they could cause your resume to be rejected.
• Check for Spelling and Grammar:
  • Carefully review your resume for any spelling or grammar errors. Even small mistakes can leave a negative impression.
• Use Standard File Formats:
  • Save and submit your resume as a .docx or .pdf file to ensure it’s readable by ATS systems.
• Familiar Software Tools:
  • Use word processing software you are comfortable with, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, to ensure everything is formatted correctly.
• Keywords Matter:
  • Include keywords from the job description naturally throughout your resume to increase your chances of passing ATS scans.

Looking for a Word template to start with? Check out our pre-made templates - Click Here

A well-crafted cover letter is an important tool in your job application process, even if it's optional. Here’s why submitting one can make a difference:

• Personalizes Your Application: A cover letter allows you to introduce yourself beyond your resume, highlighting your passion for the role and the organization.
• Showcases Your Fit: It provides an opportunity to explain how your experience and skills align with the specific job, emphasizing your unique qualifications.
• Adds Context to Your Resume: Use the cover letter to explain career transitions, employment gaps, or other unique aspects of your work history.
• Demonstrates Effort: Submitting a thoughtful cover letter shows you are genuinely interested in the position and willing to go the extra mile.

Including a cover letter can set you apart from other candidates and strengthen your application!

Enhance your job application with JobScan, a free AI tool that helps you optimize your resume and cover letter to get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). With JobScan, you can:

• Improve Keyword Matching: Analyze job descriptions to ensure your resume and cover letter contain the right keywords to increase your chances of landing an interview.
• Tailor Your Application: Receive personalized feedback to better align your resume and cover letter with each job posting.
• Boost ATS Compatibility: Make sure your resume and cover letter are ATS-friendly and formatted to meet modern hiring standards.

Try JobScan today and take the guesswork out of your job application process: JobScan

The average job search can take 3 to 6 months, so start early and don’t get discouraged. It’s okay if you’re unsure about what career path to pursue. Use these tools to explore job options and discover suitable job titles to search for:

• O*Net Online – Research career fields, required skills, potential job titles, and salary expectations.
• My Next Move by O*Net - Discover your interests, browse and research careers by industry, explore bright outlook careers

All jobs will require a resume, and most will ask for a cover letter. Make sure these documents are updated, tailored, and ready to submit. Review the Resume and Cover Letter Guide for more assistance. Update your digital resumes on professional networking platforms like LinkedIn and Handshake.

Building connections is key to finding opportunities. Connect with people who work in the industries or companies you're interested in through:

• LinkedIn –  Using LinkedIn to network allows you to connect with industry professionals, engage in meaningful conversations, and access valuable insights and opportunities that can advance your career.
• Attend Job Fairs at SVSU – Meet employers and recruiters face-to-face.
• Join a Young Professional Network - Engaging with a community of young professionals allows you to share experiences, exchange ideas, and access job leads that you may not find through traditional channels. Networking in this way fosters relationships that can lead to collaborations, referrals, and growth within your field.

• LinkedIn - Apply to jobs, Reach out to professionals, join relevant groups, and create a digital resume.
  
• Handshake – Handshake was created by college students, for college students. Employers posting jobs on Handshake know they are targeting current students and recent graduates from SVSU.
  •  If you would like to use a non-SVSU email address to log in to Handshake, Use these Instructions Instructions for Alumni Access to Handshake (Non-SVSU Email Address) (1,282KB)  to assist you in obtaining access. 
• MichiganWorks! – Explore local job opportunities and take advantage of workshops.

Tip: Avoid Fraudulent Jobs
Be cautious of red flags such as job offers that sound too good to be true, require payment upfront, or use non-professional communication methods.

Stay Organized:
Keep a record of the jobs you apply for and save job postings. This will help you reference them when you receive callbacks, who to contact, and keep track of application deadlines so you know when to follow up.

Follow Up & Additional Tips:
After submitting your application, follow up with employers after the application deadline or interview to show your continued interest. Follow-ups can be over email, phone, or through a LinkedIn connection request message.

• Keep follow-up emails short
• Make sure to keep track of who you follow up with to ensure you are consistent but not pestering the employer
• Know it's okay if you don't always receive a response!

A Young Professional Network(YPN) is a valuable resource for those who want to build relationships with peers, advance their careers, and make a difference in their industry, community, and local association. A YPN gives young professionals the chance to build their social capital and discover new job opportunities, all while building a better resume.

Here are five reasons why joining a YPN will give young professionals an edge in their careers.

1. Enhance your Network: A YPN is the chance to build connections beyond LinkedIn. The people you meet can become mentors, inform you of new job opportunities, become valuable references, or be your support system.
2. Build your Resume: A professional association can be an impressive addition to your resume. It shows an interest in volunteerism and a willingness to take on leadership roles in your community. Listing your association memberships on your resume shows current and future employers that you are dedicated to staying connected in your profession.  
3. Be a Leader: Professional associations give you opportunities to develop your skills as a leader. Are you a marketing whiz? Lead your group's outreach efforts. A pro at finances? Manage the organization's budget. Plus, you can bring your new-found leadership skills into the workplace and show what you've learned to your managers.
4. Gain Industry Knowledge: Joining an association can give you insight on new industry trends and give you the boost of confidence you need to approach your boss with a new idea or project. It can also help you gain useful skills that may be nontraditional to your job.
5. Stay Inspired: No matter your profession, staying inspired can be difficult when you are constantly hitting roadblocks in your career. However, meeting with young professionals who have similar goals as you, gives you the opportunity to trade ideas, solve problems, and get inspiration that will only help your career. If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. 

There are three local young professional networks in the Great Lakes Bay Region:

Not in the Great Lakes Bay Region? Check out your local chamber to see if you have a Young Professional Network in your area!