Resumes have evolved, but a lot of advice given today is still rooted in the past. Modern resumes are to the point, and easy to read. Not sure if your resume is up-to-date style-wise? Take a look at the following five items you may not know you can add to your resume. If more than one of these is missing from your resume then you know it’s time to update!

#1 Color

You can add a splash of color to your resume! Try using a color other than black for underlining or making a border around a header, or for the header text itself. Here’s the difference:

WORK EXPIRIENCE or WORK EXPERIENCE

vs.

Work Experience

or

WORK EXPERIENCE

#2 Hyperlinks

These days most resumes are consumed electronically. Why not take advantage of that and add in links? You can make it super easy for a hiring manager to contact you by making your email a link. Consider adding your LinkedIn profile as a link too. What about projects you have on the cloud that you can show off? Yep, links work there too.

#3 A career summary / highlight section in place of an objective statement

Gone are the days of the explicit objective header and statement. In are the days of a career summary, skills summary, or highlight section in its place. Here you can give the hiring manager a preview of what is to come in the resume, or list some skills that don’t fit elsewhere, or bring attention to certain accomplishments or accolades. Keep in mind whatever you do here is prime real estate on your resume and must catch the attention of the reader.

#4 Social Proof

Did someone leave an exceptional recommendation of you on LinkedIn? Or did you receive a thank you note from a manager? If there is room on your resume you can add a quote from someone! If the note you received was private, you will want to get permission to use it.

#5 Different Shaped Bullets

The round circle is comforting, isn’t it? We’ve used it for so long. And it’s still perfectly acceptable in a resume. If you are looking for a way to be a little different but not go crazy, consider changing the shape of the bullet. For example:

  • Accomplished this cool thing
  • Saved the company a bunch of money
  • Managed a project that sold a gazillion units

  • Accomplished this cool thing!
  • #2 thing
  • #3 thing
  • Cool thing 1
  • Cool thing 2
  • Cool thing 3

Let me know what you think! Have you tried any of these? Will you?