Are you looking for a new job? If so, now is a great time to make your next career move. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported an uptick in job openings, with a notable increase in positions within professional and business services, among other fields.
A strong resume goes hand-in-hand with an effective job hunt. Fortunately, UMGC’s CareerQuest has everything you need to elevate your resume and find the next position on your professional journey. With September celebrating International Update Your Resume month, check out the latest information and best practices from your UMGC Career Services Advising team to ensure your resume is ready to impress to help you land your next career opportunity.
An updated resume matters
Often, the first exposure you have to potential employers is your resume.
“A strong resume gets you noticed when you apply for a job,” says Francine Blume, PhD, UMGC assistant vice president of career development. “Your resume can also get you noticed by recruiters. Two thirds of employers who look for UMGC students and alumni to fill their talent pipelines use CareerQuest to source candidates rather than posting positions. So, if you don't have a strong profile and a strong resume, you could be overlooked by a recruiter who has a perfect position for you.”
It's important to always keep your resume updated because you never know when a great opportunity is going to come your way. Dr. Blume says it’s a good idea to update your resume at least once a year and anytime you have additional job responsibilities, education or skills you've developed.
Leveraging CareerQuest tools to create a dazzling resume
CareerQuest offers UMGC students and alumni many career-boosting tools, with several specifically designed to help you create the best resume possible. Vmock is a tool that provides feedback on your resume content and format and provides tips on how to improve it. The information you’ll receive can help you quantify your experience, identify soft skills and use the strongest action verbs you can on your resume.
“If you've never written a resume before, you can use UPKEY to get started,” adds Dr. Blume. “There are also terrific videos on CandidCareers, which you can access webinars on resume preparation through CareerQuest’s Tools.”
Once you’ve got your resume finalized, turn your attention to your LinkedIn profile, which you should also keep current. The Aspire tool can help you enhance your LinkedIn presence by giving you tips on how to create a stronger profile that attracts the right people to help you get ahead in your career.
Find your new move with CareerQuest
Now that your resume is ready to wow hiring managers, it’s time to find your next career move. CareerQuest has more than 4,000 job listings by employers looking to hire UMGC students and alumni.
Thanks to an integration with WayUp, the number of positions posted on CareerQuest has gotten a big boost. WayUp is a platform designed to help candidates starting out in their careers find internships and other entry-level opportunities. This early experience can help job seekers be more competitive as they climb the career ladder.
“This partnership enables us to bring even more opportunities to members of our UMGC community who are entering the workforce for the first time or changing careers,” notes Dr. Blume.
No matter where you are in your career progression, tried-and-true job seeking advice still stands. Dr. Blume recommends applying for multiple positions you’re qualified for with employers you respect and customizing your resume and cover letter for each one. She also suggests continuing your networking efforts in addition to using CareerQuest tools. An although jobs are plentiful at the moment, it still takes time to get through the hiring process.
Dr. Blume’s best advice for success: “Be patient,” she says.
For additional information on how to take your resume to the next level, check out the upcoming resume webinars hosted by your UMGC Career Services team.
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