Losing a job and searching for a new one always brings with it the requirement of dusting off the resume to add some new and exciting information.  Most likely you were able to gain a great deal of experience in your latest position, so you should have plenty to add to your resume.  The only problem is that after you have added all of your new data, you realize that your resume is now a bit too cluttered due to all of the old information.  Therefore, now, your job is to de-clutter it before sending it out to be considered. Here are some tips to help you clean it up …

Rethink Your Career Goal

One way to clean up your resume is to rethink exactly what it is you’re looking for in your career. Just because you recently left a position in a specific field, does not mean you have to – or want to – continue in that field.  You may feel ready to shift gears a bit. Alternatively, you may want to remain in the same area, but with a more specific focus.  Whatever your goal may be, it is important to define it and use it to guide you through the rest of the resume.  By doing this, you should be able to narrow down your accomplishments and skills, which could give you the direction you need as you move forward with your job search.

Clean Up Your Employment History / Work Experience

Another important step in de-cluttering your resume is to clean up your work history.  There are a couple of ways that you could approach this step in your process.  If you worked at your last employer for over 20 years, you could keep the job information but adjust what details you share.  On the other hand, if you’ve had a number of employers, you not only will want to rethink what details should be included under each position, but also rethink which positions should be included.  Much of this will be determined by the job you are applying for. The idea is to find details for your work history that closely match the job you are hoping to obtain.  That could mean that you might eliminate some details from each job, or eliminate some jobs if they are not relevant.

What Would You Want to See (if You Were an Employer)

One great way to eliminate unnecessary information from your resume is to take the position of an employer as you read it.  Think about what you would look for if someone were coming to work for you.  Your eyes would likely skip around in search of specific keywords that might let you know the candidate has the right experience.  You might also look for technology that you would not have to train them on, as well as any awards that show just how extraordinary they really are. As you’re writing your resume, it’s good to think in terms of what an employer may want to know about you.  By taking the steps necessary to de-clutter your resume, you could give yourself career direction and ensure that you present the best resume possible for the position you are applying for in the application process.

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