Spring is finally here and that means spring cleaning is in order. However, we are not talking about scrubbing your floors and getting rid of household clutter. This spring we are discussing spring cleaning to prepare for your job search. In today’s competitive job market it is crucial that the first items you submit to an employer are representing your best self.

Resume:
A resume is essentially an advertisement, and you are the product being sold, therefore, sell yourself in the best way possible. Make sure the look of your resume expresses the up to date look of the industry. If you are still using the same format you have for years, you may need to reevaluate. Make sure that it includes information about yourself currently and has an updated/polished layout and graphics. Be sure you have your resume in different formats such as .pdf, Microsoft Word and text only in case the company needs a different file format.

It is crucial that your resume is only one page. Although you may have more information than a page, a resume surpassing one page will not be taken seriously. Make sure you tailor your resume to each job application you apply for. This way if you have more than a page of information, you can put the most relevant information that relates to the position you are seeking.

Focus on accomplishments within each job experience and include them on your resume. This also entails using concrete details. For example, if you increased sales at a company by 65%, include this in the job description.

Cover Letter:
Since the job seeking market is highly saturated, a cover letter template used across all applications is not going to help you stand out. Employers can recognize when there is a generic cover letter that has the position and company copied and pasted into the blanks.

Tailor your cover letter’s formality to the formality of the company. This means if you are applying for a creative graphic design position your cover letter should look much different than if you are applying for an accounting position. If you are applying for a creative position, use your cover letter to show how creative you are, and if you are applying for a position where results and percentages matter the most, make sure to include concrete evidence showcasing your accomplishments.

Social Media:
Facebook is not the only social media outlet you need to ensure is professional. Make sure you consider all of your social media accounts, such as: Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram, and Twitter. While some photos and posts may seem appropriate to you, they may not be to a different audience, so take some time to consider all the audiences that could be potentially viewing your accounts. With technology and social media becoming so important to employers, make sure when you google your name, nothing questionable appears.

Check your privacy settings. While what you post to your own profile may not seem offensive, ensure that what other people are tagging you in is also appropriate. This means including privacy setting that allow you to review other people’s posts before they are published to your page. Just because you are not direct friends with a possible employer, does not mean there are not ways they could potentially view your profile.

If you need a helping hand with your spring cleaning, The Wilson Group, is at your service. For more tips and information visit our website.