The importance of having an up-to-date resume

Having an up-to-date resume is vital in today’s job market. It is the first impression a potential employer has of you and your qualifications, and it can make or break your chances of getting an interview. An up-to-date resume showcases your skills, experiences, and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates.

One of the most important aspects of keeping your resume up-to-date is staying current with certifications. A certification officially recognizes your knowledge and skills in a specific field or industry. By obtaining a new certification every few years, you demonstrate to potential employers that you are dedicated to your profession and are keeping up with the latest trends and technologies.

One great option for obtaining high-quality certifications is the Management and Strategy Institute. The Institute offers a wide range of certifications in various fields, such as project management, business management, and leadership. Their credentials are recognized and respected by employers worldwide and are a great way to showcase your expertise and advance your career.

In addition, certifications from the Management and Strategy Institute are reasonably priced and can be completed online, making them accessible and convenient for busy professionals. The Institute also offers study materials and practice exams to help you prepare for the certification exam.

5 practical ways to enhance your resume

Now let’s discuss five effective ways to enhance your resume and make it stand out to potential employers. From highlighting your skills and accomplishments to showcasing your experience, these tips will help you showcase your qualifications and land the job of your dreams. So, let’s look at how you can improve your resume today!

Tailor your resume to the job you are applying for: Customizing your resume to the specific job you are applying for can help you stand out from other candidates and show the employer that you are a good fit for the position.
Highlight your achievements: Instead of just listing your responsibilities, focus on highlighting your accomplishments and the impact you had on previous jobs or projects. This can help demonstrate your value to potential employers.
Use action verbs: Using strong action verbs such as “managed,” “led,” or “created” can help make your resume more dynamic and showcase your skills and experience.
Include relevant certifications and training: Include any relevant certifications, training, or education you have received that demonstrate your qualifications for the job.
Keep your resume concise: Avoid including irrelevant information or going into too much detail. Keep your resume brief and to the point, making it easy for the employer to quickly read and understand your qualifications.

Why do employers think soft skills are so necessary for an applicant

Soft skills, also known as interpersonal or people skills, are non-technical abilities that employers across a wide range of industries and job positions value. These skills include communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, time management, teamwork, and adaptability.

Employers place a high value on soft skills because they are essential for success in the workplace. Strong communication skills, for example, are crucial for effectively interacting with colleagues, supervisors, and customers. Problem-solving skills allow employees to identify and address issues as they arise, and critical thinking skills are vital for making sound decisions and finding innovative solutions. Time management skills enable employees to meet deadlines and stay on task, while teamwork and adaptability skills are essential for working effectively in a team-based environment.

Moreover, soft skills are becoming increasingly important in today’s fast-paced and constantly changing business world. Employers are looking for employees who can adapt to new technologies and processes, work well with others, and think creatively to solve problems. Employees who possess strong soft skills can navigate the workplace more effectively and drive results, which is why many employers are willing to invest in their development.

Soft skills are also transferable, meaning they can be applied across different industries and job positions. For example, strong communication skills are valuable in a sales role and customer service or public relations. Problem-solving skills are also helpful in engineering, finance, and healthcare fields.

Example of a resume with soft skills.

Sometimes seeing a sample resume can help you determine the best way to highlight your own skills. Below is a sample resume for John Doe.

Name: John Doe

Contact Information:

Phone: 555-555-5555
Email: johndoe@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johndoe

Summary: Experienced business professional with 15 years of work experience in the healthcare industry. Proven track record of success as a project manager, with 10 years of experience leading cross-functional teams and delivering projects on time and within budget. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Proven ability to work well under pressure and adapt to changing situations.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, XYZ University, 2008
Master of Business Administration, XYZ University, 2010
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, Project Management Institute, 2015

Work Experience:

Project Manager, ABC Healthcare, 2015-Present

Led cross-functional teams in the planning, execution, and delivery of multiple healthcare projects.
Implemented project management best practices, resulting in an increase in project success rate from 70% to 90%.
Developed and maintained project budgets and schedules, ensuring projects were completed on time and within budget.
Collaborated with stakeholders to identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies.
Communicated project status and progress to senior leadership and stakeholders.
Senior Program Manager, DEF Healthcare, 2010-2015

Managed large-scale healthcare projects, including the implementation of new electronic medical record systems.
Led teams of up to 20 team members and collaborated with stakeholders to deliver projects on time and within budget.
Developed project plans, schedules, and budgets and tracked progress against them.
Communicated project status and progress to senior leadership and stakeholders.

Program Manager, GHI Healthcare, 2008-2010

Managed multiple healthcare projects, including the implementation of new patient management systems.
Collaborated with stakeholders to identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies.
Communicated project status and progress to senior leadership and stakeholders.

Skills:

Project management
Team leadership
Cross-functional collaboration
Risk management
Budget and schedule management
Communication and stakeholder management
Strategic planning
Business analysis

Soft Skills:

Leadership: Led a team of 5 developers to deliver a project on time and within budget
Communication: Regularly presented project progress and challenges to the management team and stakeholders
Collaboration: Worked closely with the QA team to ensure software quality
Problem-solving: Developed a new algorithm that improved software performance by 20%

Professional Affiliations:

Member of the Project Management Institute (PMI)
Member of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)

References: Available upon request.

Note: This is a sample resume and it is not tailored to any specific person, it is just an example of how a resume for a Business professional with 15 years of work experience in the healthcare industry and 10 years of experience as a project manager could look like.

An example of 5 soft skills for your resume

The Management and Strategy Institute offers a soft-skills package called the Ultimate Resume Booster for just $47. It teaches you skills like empathy, teamwork, time management, and more. Here are 5 soft skills examples that you should be sure to include on your resume.

Communication: The ability to effectively communicate with others, both verbally and in writing. Examples of communication skills include active listening, public speaking, and written communication.
Teamwork: The ability to work well with others in a team-based environment. Examples of teamwork skills include collaboration, conflict resolution, and leadership.
Problem-solving: The ability to identify and solve problems logically and efficiently. Examples of problem-solving skills include critical thinking, decision-making, and analytical skills.
Time management: The ability to effectively manage one’s time and prioritize tasks in order to meet deadlines. Examples of time management skills include organization, planning, and multitasking.
Adaptability: The ability to adapt to new situations, technologies, or processes. Examples of adaptability skills include flexibility, open-mindedness, and the ability to learn quickly.

Where and how should you list soft skills on your resume

Soft skills can be listed in a separate section on your resume, typically at the document’s bottom or near the end. You can also include them in a section labeled “Skills” or “Professional Skills” and list them alongside your technical skills. It’s important to mention specific examples of how you have demonstrated each skill in past work or volunteer experiences. Be sure to use action verbs when describing your soft skills such as “managed,” “communicated,” “collaborated,” etc.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, having an up-to-date resume is essential for job seekers in today’s competitive job market. Keeping your resume current by obtaining new certifications every few years can give you a competitive edge and help you stand out from other candidates. The Management and Strategy Institute is a great option for obtaining high-quality certifications that are recognized and respected by employers worldwide. Obtaining a Management and Strategy Institute certification can help you advance your career and open new opportunities.