The Importance of a Strong Resume

Confident professional shakes hands with hiring manager in a job interview

Last Updated March 8, 2024

Few people work in the same career, much less the same job, their entire lives. Estimates from the federal government put the number of jobs each person will have over the course of a professional lifetime at about a dozen.

According to the National Longitudinal Study by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Baby Boomers born between 1957-1964 averaged 12.3 jobs from age 18 to 52. The BLS also calculated the average number of jobs for individuals by age range between the years of 1978-2016. They found:

Those between the ages of 18 and 24 had 5.7 jobs
Those between the ages of 25 and 34 had 4.5 jobs
Those between 35 and 44 had 2.9 jobs
Those between 45 and 52 had 1.9 jobs

The report shows that most adult professionals switch jobs, which means they go through the same job hunt preparation most often associated with high school or college graduates.

One of the areas professionals can focus on is creating a resume that stands out from the competition.

The Importance of a Resume

For those who want a new challenge or have found a new passion, it may be a good time to consider making moves to transition out of their current position and into a new one.

The resume can prove to be a door-opener to many jobs. It’s a chance for job candidates to display their best attributes and professional strengths. It should document not only their work history, but major accomplishments, relevant job skills they’ve acquired, and accolades received.

Here are some practical ways beyond the basics to help enhance a resume.

Earn a Professional Credential

For professionals aspiring to advance their career potential or who are looking to transition into another career, earning a professional credential can help them prepare for a new role. While adults may not have the desire, the flexibility or the resources to earn a degree (or second degree), a professional certificate offers the opportunity to gain specialized knowledge and skills and prepare for certification exams in a shorter amount of time in comparison to a degree program.

According to a study of 50,000 working professionals between the ages of 25-64 by the Strada Education Network and the Lumina Foundation titled, “Certified Value: When do Adults without Degrees Benefits from Earning Certificates and Certifications,” earning sub-baccalaureate certificates and certifications provide employment value and personal satisfaction for adults without college degrees.

“This new report shows that degreed higher education isn’t the only viable path into a good career,” said Anthony Carnevale, Director of the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workplace, in a press release.

If you are interested in earning a certificate or preparing for a certification exam, Villanova University offers online multi-course (non-credit) professional certificate programs across a variety of disciplines such as Applied Project Management, Lean Six Sigma, Contract Management, Agile and HR Management.

Many of Villanova’s certificate programs can help individuals prepare for industry certification exams, which are associated with the following disciplines.

Project Management – PMP® and CAPM®
Human Resources – SHRM-CP® and SHRM-SCP®
Contract Management – CCCM, CFCM and CPCM
Agile – PMI-ACP® and Professional Scrum Master (PSM)
Business Analysis – CBAP® and CCBA®
Cybersecurity – CISSP® and CompTIA Security+

Several certificate programs can also help prepare students for certification exams administered by Villanova.

Earning a certification offers professionals the opportunity to enhance their resume and validate their knowledge of the core concepts of the associated field of study.

The Cost of Education

It’s also important to note that some employers may help with the cost of earning a professional credential or even a degree. Before committing to an education program, check with your company to see if it offers tuition assistance. Some employers may offer tuition reimbursement. Others may pay for tuition up front. There’s also the possibility of receiving corporate rates on tuition or deferred payments. Typically, the human resources or talent management department is the place to start.

A 2019 study from consulting firm Robert Half Finance & Accounting found that nine out of 10 organizations (94%) are likely to pay for some or all costs for employees seeking professionals certifications. According to the study, 95% said they provide full or partial help to employees seeking to maintain credentials.

“For job seekers, continuing education aid can set an employer apart. Organizations investing in employees’ growth show they value team members’ contributions and career progression,” said Steve Saah, executive director of Robert Half Finance and Accounting, in a press release.

Focus on Related Experience

Each resume should be tailored to a specific job posting. One way to organize this is to limit the jobs and positions listed on the resume to those that directly connect with the job you are applying for. When you list your experience, think about the knowledge and skills you gleaned from those roles and how they might apply to your desired role. This can help your resume tell a story that explains why you’re the right person for the position.

Have a Direction

Think of your resume as a summation of your professional career so far, but presented in such a way that it serves as a prelude for what you want next. Remember, the resume should be tailored to the individual job. In order to do that, consider your career goals.

LinkedIn suggests asking some version of the following questions:

Where do I want to be in my career in one, three, five or 10 years?
What values drive my career goals?
What’s my purpose?
What’s my passion?

Answering these questions can help you understand how to proceed in your desired career path.

Seek Opinions on Your Resume

Whether you are fresh out of college or an experienced professional, asking a trusted friend or advisor for advice can help strengthen your resume by identifying opportunities for improvement. According to job search website Glassdoor, “when you stare at a document for a long time, sometimes you can no longer see its strengths and weaknesses. Gaining a fresh and objective perspective can help you identify areas for improvement.”

Gaining a second opinion can also help identify typos or mistakes. You also want to make sure the flow of the resume is clear to anyone reading it. Hiring managers should easily be able to identify your strengths and understand why you believe you are a good fit for the position.

Write a Stellar Summary

The summary that is often used at the top of a resume and at the top of a LinkedIn page, is a place where experienced professionals can show their expertise. The summary is a place to emphasize how experience has made you a better professional.

Erin Urban, a Certified Career Growth Strategist and Forbes Coaches Council Member recommended using keywords specific to the career you are trying to attain. Writing for LinkedIn Pulse, Urban suggested including career-specific terms and experienced-based jargon to help attract recruiters.

“Even if these terms are only a part of your career expertise, including them in your profile is essential,” she wrote.

Emphasize Extracurricular Activities

Another way to potentially stand out from the competition is to include extracurriculars –anything outside the scope of academics. For professionals, that means activities outside the normal scope of their job duties but that is also related to your industry.

For example, volunteering with an organization within your profession that helps people network, share ideas, join together to volunteer in the community or offer ways for people to develop knowledge. Showing this type of commitment to your professional community can help make an impact on your resume.

Done correctly, years of experience can prove an asset for professionals who want to advance in their profession or transition into a new career. You can build a strong resume by continuing your education, emphasizing your essential experience and skills and by tailoring your resume to your career goals.

PMP, CAPM and PMI-ACP are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.