- Jul 8
- 3 min read

How to Update Your Resume for the Back-to-School Job Hunt

tips on how to update your resume by HAPBWA Foundation a non profit organization focused on helping women grow and advance professionally

As summer winds down and the back-to-school season kicks off, many professionals take this opportunity to jumpstart their career search. Whether you're a recent graduate entering the workforce or a seasoned professional seeking new opportunities, updating your resume is the first critical step. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to refresh your resume to make a compelling impression for the back-to-school job hunt. Don't forget to also refresh your Linkedin profile! Many are finding jobs through tehre.

Start with a Strong Summary

The top of your resume should feature a powerful summary statement that highlights your key qualifications, career aspirations, and what you bring to potential employers. This section should be tailored to reflect the specific industry or role you are targeting.

Tips:

Keep it concise: A well-crafted summary should be about three sentences long.
Focus on key strengths and skills that are relevant to the jobs you are applying for.

Highlight Relevant Education

Back-to-school season is a great reminder of the importance of education in your resume. If you've recently completed any degrees, certifications, or relevant courses, make sure these are prominently featured.

Tips:

List your highest degree first and include details like the institution's name, graduation year, and any honors received.
If you're a recent graduate, place your education section before your work experience. For more experienced professionals, it should follow your work experience.

Update Your Work Experience

Your work experience section is where you can really shine. Update it to include not only your most recent positions but also specific accomplishments in those roles. Use action verbs and quantify your achievements where possible.

Tips:

Include bullet points that start with action verbs like "managed," "developed," "designed," etc.
Quantify results to provide a clear picture of your impact, such as "increased sales by 20%" or "reduced processing time by 30%."

Showcase New Skills and Technologies

If you've picked up new skills, especially relevant technologies or methodologies, make sure these are reflected on your resume. This is particularly important if you’re looking to work in fields that are rapidly evolving, such as IT, digital marketing, or project management.

Tips:

List skills that are in high demand for the roles you are targeting.
Consider adding a 'Skills' section if you have a wide range of competencies that are applicable to the jobs you want.

Refine Your Layout and Design

The visual appeal of your resume can significantly affect its readability. Opt for a clean, professional layout that makes scanning easy for potential employers.

Tips:

Use bullet points for clarity and to avoid dense blocks of text.
Ensure the font size and style are consistent and the overall design looks polished.

Tailor Your Resume for Each Application

While it may be time-consuming, customizing your resume for each job application is crucial. This involves emphasizing the experience and skills that are most relevant to each position.

Tips:

Adjust your summary statement and key bullet points to align with the job description.
Include keywords from the job posting to improve your resume’s visibility in Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).