Your resume is your first impression. Before a hiring manager or recruiter ever speaks with you, your resume speaks for you. It’s a marketing tool that highlights your strengths, qualifications, and potential fit for a role. But beyond a great resume, your job search success depends on the connections and opportunities you can access. That’s where the EKY Talent Network comes in.
When you join the EKY Talent Network, you gain access to exclusive job opportunities, employer connections, hiring events, and personalized job search support — all at no cost to you. Keep reading to learn how to build a strong resume and how the EKY Talent Network can help you take the next step in your career.
Keep It Concise and Relevant
A resume should typically be one page, especially for early-career professionals, and no more than two pages for those with extensive experience. Recruiters often spend only a few seconds reviewing a resume, so every word should add value. Focus on recent and relevant experience, tailoring your resume to the job you’re applying for.
Highlight Your Strengths at the Top
The top third of your resume is prime real estate. Make sure it includes your name, contact information, and a strong summary statement or key skills section. This should be a snapshot of your experience and qualifications, emphasizing what makes you a strong candidate.
Example of a Strong Summary Statement:
“Detail-oriented customer service professional with five years of experience in retail and banking. Skilled in problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. Proven ability to enhance customer satisfaction and improve operational efficiency.”
Use Keywords to Get Noticed
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes before they even reach a hiring manager. To increase your chances of passing this initial screening, use keywords from the job description throughout your resume. Pay attention to:
- Job titles
- Industry-specific skills
- Certifications and software proficiency
- Action verbs that align with job responsibilities
For example, if a job listing mentions “data entry” and “customer relationship management (CRM) software,” and you have experience in those areas, include those exact phrases in your resume.
Learn more about How to Beat the Bots HERE.
Structure Your Resume for Impact
A well-organized resume makes it easy for recruiters to find key information quickly. Use these sections:
- Contact Information (Name, Email, Phone, LinkedIn URL)
- Professional Summary (A short introduction to your skills and experience)
- Skills Section (Highlight technical and soft skills relevant to the role)
- Work Experience (List roles in reverse chronological order with clear bullet points)
- Education & Certifications (Include degrees, relevant coursework, and certifications)
Focus on Achievements, Not Just Duties
Instead of listing responsibilities, focus on what you accomplished in each role. Use action-oriented bullet points that show the impact you made.
Example: ❌ Managed a team of customer service representatives. ✅ Led a team of 10 customer service representatives, increasing customer satisfaction scores by 20% in six months.
Keep Formatting Clean and Professional
Your resume should be easy to read, with a clear font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman), consistent spacing, and professional formatting.
Build Your Resume Using Free Online Tools
If you’re starting from scratch or need to refresh your existing resume, the following free resources can help:
- Microsoft Create
- Provides a variety of free, customizable resume templates suitable for different career stages and industries.
- Templates are designed for easy editing in Microsoft Word and can be downloaded for digital applications or printed copies.
- Includes resume tips and layout suggestions to enhance readability and professionalism.
- Canva
- Offers a free online resume builder with hundreds of professionally designed templates.
- Allows customization of colors, fonts, layouts, and graphics to match your personal style and job application needs.
- Includes an easy drag-and-drop interface for quick adjustments and formatting.
Apply for Jobs and Get Connected
Once your resume is ready, it’s time to start applying for jobs! The EKY Job Board is available 24/7, giving you access to local, remote, and hybrid opportunities that match your skills and career goals.
But getting a job is about more than just applying — it’s about making the right connections. When you join the EKY Talent Network, you become part of a community that works to connect talent to employers.
Our Employer Coordinators build relationships with companies and host hiring events to help job seekers get noticed by employers. You’ll gain access to an exclusive pipeline of job opportunities that many other job seekers never even see.
Get Personalized Support – Join the EKY Talent Network Today
We know that job searching can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. When you join the EKY Talent Network, you’ll have direct support from our Office of Jobs team, who will help you:
- Build or refine your resume
- Find jobs that match your skills
- Connect with employers who are hiring
- Get invited to exclusive hiring events