The Résumé Trick You NEED to Know - June 04, 2024

TODAY’S TO DO 🚩

Tailor your résumé to the job ad. ✍️ Take key skills and qualities listed in the job description, and create a résumé around these points.

GETTING AHEAD 🚀

The colorful résumé trick that gets you noticed

Whenever you set out to write or update your résumé, you’ll likely Google “how to write a résumé”, “résumé tips” or a related term (or 2… or 5… or 17).

And, quite naturally, you’ll be bombarded with results that rightly advise you to, among other things, focus on achievements over job duties, use metrics to quantify results, start bullet points with action verbs and incorporate keywords from the job description.

But there’s a little, and somewhat sneaky, résumé writing trick that is seldom told.

And that is… drum roll, please! 🥁

…Color psychology! Essentially, it involves using color to influence the mood, perceptions and even physiological reactions of hiring managers. And if done right, it might get your résumé shortlisted!

So, which colors should you use?

• Blue is associated with trust, reliability and competence, and conveys professionalism

• Green symbolizes growth, harmony, balance and a positive attitude toward change

• Purple is associated with creativity, wisdom, uniqueness and sophistication

• Red signifies passion, energy and power, and can create a sense of urgency

• Yellow suggests a positive and outgoing personality, and signifies optimism and creativity

But (and this is a big “but”)… Don’t go overboard with colors, and instead be strategic about their use: 🤔

• Stick to a black-and-white color scheme (black for text and white for background), and choose a third color for section headings and other secondary elements.

• Research industry norms. Green, for example, works for industries related to the environment and sustainability, but not so much for banking and finance.

• Be mindful of readability. Choose colors that contrast with the background and text to ensure legibility. For example, bright yellow won’t do you any favors.

— Chris Leitch

GROWTH HUB 🌱

💡 TO CONSIDER: 25 fresh résumé template examples to draw inspiration from.

❌ TO DODGE: 100 overused buzzwords to remove from your job application materials.

🤝 TO GET YOU THERE: A comprehensive guide on how to structure your résumé.

🤝 TOGETHER WITH THE NEWSETTE

The Newsette is a free daily newsletter that helps you start your day feeling empowered. Their writers break down everything you need to know to start your day without the doom scrolling. Get your fix of beauty, financial wellness, trends, interview tips, relationship icks, and more.

CAREER INSPO 💡

IN THE SPOTLIGHT 🔦

Ditch the fancy résumé templates ❌

If you’re focusing on the style of your résumé, you’ve got it all wrong! Recruiters aren’t looking for nicely designed templates — instead, they’re more concerned about the substance of your document and whether you have the experience and skills to match the role.

Career expert Farah Shargi shares a short video on what your résumé should look like and the contents it should include. Check out her tips below! 👇

WORK TRENDS 📈

El Centro Named US City with Highest Unemployment Rate. 📈 A recent Insider Monkey study found that the Californian city has an unemployment rate of 15.7 %, the highest across the country. Browse the full list →

TODAY’S GIFT ⚡

EXTRA BRAIN FUEL 🧠

🔎 10 Job Search Strategies that Work: Consider using a combination of these to land your dream role faster.

🗣️ How to Improve Your Communication Skills: Communication skills are some of the most sought-after soft skills, regardless of industry.

😂 15 Funny Work Stories that Will Make Your Day: Take a short break and giggle at other people’s work-related misfortunes.

THE BREAK ROOM 🍴

🧡🧡🧡 Yes, loved it!
💩 Nope, could have been better…