25 Tips to Update Your Resume for 2023

by Brenda Barron Stokes on Jan 05, 2023

Your resume is often the first impression you make on a potential employer, so it’s important to keep it up-to-date and tailored to the job you’re applying for. As we enter 2023, there are several trends and best practices that you should consider when updating your resume and that’s what we’ll be talking about here today.

In fact, we’re sharing 25 tips to help you update your resume for the new year, including suggestions on using keywords, customizing your resume for each job, and including relevant tech skills. By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a resume that stands out and showcases your strengths to potential employers.

So let’s get started!

1. Start with a Strong Summary Statement

A summary statement should be a brief overview of your skills and experience, and should be tailored to the specific job or industry you’re targeting. Your summary should grab the reader’s attention and make them want to continue reading about your work experiences and skills.

2. Use Keywords

Make sure your resume includes relevant keywords from the job posting or industry. This will help it stand out to employers and ensure it gets noticed by applicant tracking systems. This also applies to your cover letter.

3. Use Bullet Points

Bullet points are easier to read and help employers quickly scan your resume for important information without getting bogged down by a wall of text. Use them to highlight your achievements and responsibilities and make sure you focus on the most relevant and important information.

4. Customize Your Resume for Each Job

Tailor your resume to each specific job you apply for. This means highlighting different skills and experiences depending on the requirements of the job. It also allows you to emphasize how your background and qualifications make you the perfect fit for the role.

5. Include Any Relevant Certifications or Training

If you’ve picked up any new relevant certifications or training in the past year, make sure to add them on your resume. This can help demonstrate your expertise and dedication to your field as well as show employers that you’re taking steps to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technology.

6. Use Action Words

Use action-based words to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments. This helps to make your resume more dynamic and engaging. So, you might replace “was responsible for” with “oversaw” or “managed”.

7. Use Numbers to Quantify Your Achievements

Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your achievements. This helps employers see the impact you’ve had in your previous roles. For instance, rather than saying you “managed a team,” you might say “managed a team of 10 people.” Or you could add the number of projects you completed or the amount of money you saved. Even representative statistics may be appropriate.

8. Include Any Relevant Volunteer Work

If you’ve done any volunteer work or extracurricular activities, make sure to include them on your resume. This helps demonstrate your skills and interests outside of your professional experience and show employers you care about your community at large, which can leave a positive impression. 

9. Use a Professional Font and Layout

Make sure your resume is easy to read and looks professional. Use a clear, legible font and a clean layout to make it stand out. A few fonts to consider using include Arial, Calibri, and Helvetica. As for layout, you want to make sure there’s plenty of white space and that the sections are clearly delineated.

10.  Proofread and Edit

Proofread your resume to catch any typos or issues. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes but you don’t want the first impression you make to be a resume riddled with errors. So, read it over several times to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward.

11. Use a Clear, Consistent Format

Make sure your resume has a clear, consistent format. So along with choosing a legible font and clear layout as mentioned above, you need to maintain these choices throughout the length of your resume. This really isn’t the place to be clever or cute.

12. Keep It Concise

Keep your resume as concise as possible, focusing on the most relevant and impressive information. Aim for a maximum of two pages, unless you have a lot of relevant experience.

13. Use Subheadings

Use subheadings to organize your resume and make it easier to read. This can help highlight important information and make it stand out as well as just make it easier for recruiters to scan and find what they’re looking for.

14. Use a Professional Email Address

Make sure you’re using a professional email address on your resume, rather than a personal one. This can help give a better impression to potential employers and help you stay organized when it comes to job searching as well.

15. Include Your Contact Information

Likewise, you should make sure to include your contact information, including your phone number on your resume. If you’ve moved recently or changed your phone number, now’s the time to update this information.

16. Use a Professional Photo

If you choose to include a photo on your resume, make sure it’s a professional-looking one. Avoid using selfies or casual photos. It’s fine to show a bit of personality, but it should still look professional and definitely shouldn’t include filters from social media or other effects.

17. Don’t Include Irrelevant Information

Only include information that is relevant to the job or industry you’re applying for. Avoid listing unnecessary details or information that doesn’t add value to your resume and if you have a considerable amount of work experience, it’s best to remove positions that aren’t remotely related to the position to which you’re currently applying to.

18. Use Industry-Specific Language

If you’re applying for a job in a specific industry, make sure to use industry-specific language and terminology on your resume. This can help demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field and make it easier for potential employers to see why you’d be a great fit for their team.

19. Use an Online Resume Builder

There are several online resume builders that can help you create a modern, professional-looking resume. These tools often offer templates and design options that are up-to-date with current industry trends. In fact, we have one such tool right here on our website that can help you create a new resume for yourself in mere minutes.

20. Include Any Relevant Tech Skills

If you have any technical skills that are relevant to the job or industry you’re applying for, make sure to highlight them on your resume. This could include programming languages, software proficiency, or experience with specific tech tools. Likewise, now’s a good time to update your existing tech skills list to include those you’ve acquired over the previous year.

21. Emphasize Any Remote Work Experience

Many companies are now offering remote work options, so it’s important to highlight any relevant experience you have with remote work. This could include working remotely for previous employers or having experience with video conferencing tools. These details can give you an edge over other candidates who don’t have the same experience and show that you are willing to be flexible.

22. Use a LinkedIn Profile to Supplement Your Resume

LinkedIn is a great platform for showcasing your professional experience and skills. Make sure to have a strong LinkedIn profile that complements your resume and can be easily accessed by potential employers. If you haven’t added a link to your LinkedIn profile to your resume yet, now’s the time to do so.

23. Use Social Media to Your Advantage

Related to the above tip, if you have a strong social media presence, consider linking to your profiles on your resume. This can help demonstrate your personal brand and give employers a better sense of who you are and what you stand for. This is especially important if the role for which you’re applying will have a public-facing component.

24. Use a Professional Website to Showcase Your Work

If you have a portfolio of work or projects you’d like to showcase, consider creating a professional website. This can give potential employers a more comprehensive view of your skills and experience and can serve to illustrate the key points and experience outlined on your resume.

25.  Have Someone Else Review Your Resume

Before you submit your resume, have someone else review it for any mistakes or typos. Proofreading it yourself is one thing, but having someone else give it a once over can help ensure your resume is error-free and will make a great impression on potential employers.

Put Your Best Foot Forward With an Updated Resume in 2023

Good luck in the job search! With these tips, you should be well on your way to creating the perfect resume. And don’t forget to give our resume builder a try, too! It’s an easy and fast way to create a modern, professional-looking resume. With just a few clicks, you can have your resume ready in no time.