5 Ways to Update a Post-Pandemic Resume

It’s impossible to ignore the news—people are switching or quitting jobs in record numbers. And firms have record openings. But if that tempts you to make a career switch, experts say, it’s important not to overlook the importance of your resume.

Indeed, with companies listing 33% more skills in job ads in 2020 than they did in 2017, experts say job seekers need to update their pre-pandemic resumes or LinkedIn profiles. This is particularly true for those switching industries or types of roles. “If you want to change what you’re doing, then you have to change your resume to reflect that and make a case for it,” says David Meintrup, a Korn Ferry Advance career coach. Here are a few ideas:

Make a case for your career change.

If you’re applying for a job in a different industry or hoping to move into another field, then your resume needs to reflect those skills, Meintrup says. For instance, if you’re hoping to move into sales and your current job function is only 10% sales, then you will need to make that 10% more prominent on your resume so hiring managers can see you in that role.

Focus on your impact.

Make sure your resume doesn’t read like a job description. “Most people simply list what they’re responsible for but don’t include the impact they make,” says Stacey Perkins, a Korn Ferry Advance career coach. Employers are looking for metrics—they want to know the result of what you do. If you can’t include an exact number or percentage to explain your impact, then use words like increased, decreased, and improved, Perkins says.

Add special projects.

With so many companies losing staff, you might have had to take on more work or lead a special project. Don’t forget to note any extra responsibilities you’ve taken on since the pandemic, Perkins says. This can include activities like serving on the company’s diversity and inclusion taskforce, or leading a diversity and inclusion hiring effort, Meintrup says.

Show your increased productivity.

After 20 months of working from home, most employees have developed better self-management skills and the ability to work without oversight. You can show that on your resume by demonstrating an increase in your productivity, Perkins says. For instance, if you work in customer service, you could add a line to your resume that states, “Answered 600 inquires in 2021, an increase of 10% from 2020.”

Update your skills and education.

Early in the pandemic, many workers took online classes, joined virtual networking groups, or did volunteer work. Update the skills and education sections on your resume to reflect those changes, especially if you took an online course, earned a certification, or joined a networking group related to your desired industry or the new role you seek. “This shows initiative, that you’re keeping up with trends and improving yourself,” Perkins says.