A few days back, some friends called me for guidance. They had just seen some jobs and wanted to switch.
But there was a catch – their resumes.
They seemed like no one had touched them in years. They wanted me to help them to update and improve their resumes. I rescued them from the situation with the assistance of online tools.
This story might sound familiar to you. Many of us put our resume aside after landing a job. Unless we see a big opportunity coming along.
The problem?
An outdated resume can make even the most qualified candidate seem unprepared.
That is where online tools come to help. Just as I did for my friends, you can use them to transform your resume into a fresh document that showcases your true potential.
In this post, I’ll share the steps and tools to turn an old resume into one that can help you land an interview. But first, let me tell you a little about the importance of updating a resume.
Why Updating Your Resume is Essential?
Think of your resume as a snapshot of your professional journey. If it’s outdated, it’s not telling the full story of who you are and what you’ve achieved.
Here’s why updating a resume matters:
- Showcase your growth
- Stay job-ready
- Impress hiring managers
- Adapt to industry trends
- Stand out in ATS systems
Remember, updating your resume is not just about adding new information. It is about making sure it represents the best version of you.
Steps to Update and Improve Your Resume
Now let’s get to the point. How do I update and improve a resume?
Well, my answer to this is to follow the steps I am going to show you below to update and improve your resume.
1. Make the Content Editable
What, make the content editable? Yes, you read it right.
You might have your resume in an editable format. But not everyone has.
Two of my friends were in this exact situation. One had their resume saved as a PDF, and the other only had a physical copy.
Re-typing everything seemed like a nightmare, so I decided to work smarter, not harder.
I used Prepostseo’s Image to Text Converter to rescue their resumes. The steps were very simple:
- I uploaded the image of the resume
- Pressed the extract button
Within seconds, I was able to copy the text.
The best part?
The extracted content was in the right order and can be downloaded as a Word document. As you can see in the image below.
So, if you are stuck with a PDF or a printed resume, I suggest getting help from tools like the one I mentioned above.
2. Review and Rewrite Content
Now look at your old resume. Review every single section carefully to find outdated information or awkward phrases.
For example, a friend of mine had a generic resume summary with vague terms. To sharpen it and make the tone more professional I used the tool Paraphrasing.io.
The steps were very simple.
I simply put the summary text, chose the tone, and pressed the Paraphrase button at the bottom. Within seconds the tool provided me with an impactful summary, as shown in the image below.
Do not just stop at the summary. Check the remaining sections too. Like, consider rephrasing the bullet points to give them a fresh look.
3. Eliminate Grammar Errors
Don’t skip this step!
No matter how great your experience is, grammar mistakes can seriously hurt your chances. After rewriting your content, it is time to eliminate any grammar errors.
For this, I often use a tool i.e., Grammarcheck.ai. This tool will help you scan your resume and highlight spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes.
One of my friends missed a few minor mistakes in their resume summary. Like incorrect comma usage and punctuation errors. Upon running it through the tool I eliminated the mistakes with ease.
4. Improve Readability
Poor readability can turn off hiring managers from your resume. Even if the content is written well. That is why it is very important to make a resume good in readability.
For this, I recommend getting assistance from tools like the Hemingway Editor. It is a simple tool that helps you simplify complex sentences and improve overall clarity.
One of my friends had long, complicated sentences that were tough to follow. The tool highlighted all the complex sentences and made it easy for me to adjust the resume accordingly.
5. Choose ATS Friendly Templates
Once your content is ready the next step is to choose the right template.
Many fancy designs might look great but are not friendly to Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These systems scan resumes for keywords and formatting before they even reach a hiring manager.
I always prefer a template that is simple, clean, and ATS-friendly. That’s what I suggest to others too.
A good place to find good templates is the Microsoft Resume Library. They offer a variety of professional, easy-to-read templates that ATS can easily scan without any trouble.
Stick to simple formats with clear headings and bullet points. After choosing a template, replace the demo content with the one you have written.
After this, review your resume thoroughly to avoid any mistakes.
You will be good to go!
Bottom Line
Updating an old resume is now much easier all thanks to online tools. All you need is to give proper attention and review things thoroughly to avoid mistakes. By following the steps I shared, you can transform your outdated resume into one that highlights your true potential. Remember, your resume is like your personal brand. Make it shine!