Learn all the best resume tips in 2022 to help you create a resume that will stand out when applying for a full-time job on internship. As a business professional who has held several internships and full-time roles and has reviewed resumes for open positions, I wanted to compile a list of three tips (plus one bonus tip). These tips will hopefully help you, whether a student, recent graduate or established working professional, land an interview for your dream job!

Resume Writing Tips 2022 – Tip One: Resume Content (Action Words/Verbs, Tenses, and Numbers)

The content of your resume is essentially the body of your resume.
  1. ACTION WORDS/VERBS:

One of the most critical aspects of your resume is the words you use to capture your experience and skills. When it comes to resume writing tips in 2022, this should be the most important focus. Strong action words can convey to the hiring manager or recruiter how much value you added to the role you’ve listed on your resume. In addition, these words can help the recruiter or hiring manager envision what type of role you will take when it comes to the position you are applying for.

For example, let’s use the example of an individual who interned at Nordstrom and assisted with executing a fashion show.

Original bullet point: Helped set up a Nordstrom Fashion Show

Although this bullet point was clear, “helped’ is not the strongest verb or word that this individual could have used and not a verb that highlights all the effort and work this individual put into this role.

New bullet point: Facilitated, planned, and executed a fashion show alongside interns to help inform associates about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

Not only are the action words stronger in this bullet point, the bullet point included more details around who assisted and result of this individual’s work.

2. NUMBERS:

In addition, it is imperative to use numbers as much as possible when you note your experiences and accomplishments for all current and previous roles. Similar to the action verbs, numbers help paint a clearer picture of the impact you left and at what magnitude.

For example, let’s use this tip as an exercise for an individual who works in business sales. This individual not only met but exceeded their sales goal in the past quarter.

Original Bullet Point: Surpassed fourth quarter sales goal

Although it is good that this individual noted that they surpassed their sales goal, this bullet point definitely can be improved by adding numbers.

New Bullet Point: Increased total number of Closed Deals by 50% in and surpassed $2,250,000 2020 revenue goal by 20% in Q4 2020

The new bullet point is much better at is notes notes how much the sales goal was, the percentage they surpassed it by, and the impact it had on the business.

3. TENSES:   

In addition, it’s essential to use the correct tense when you include verbs in the content of your resume. Not all bullet points under a current job will be in the present. For example, the example above notes that an individual surpassed their sales goal. Although they are still in the sales role, the goal was surpassed in the previous quarter, and thus the tense will be in the past tense. Ensuring that the tenses are accurate will help the recruiter or hiring manager know what tasks you’ve completed and are ongoing.

Resume Writing Tips 2022 – Tip Two: How to Order your resume

The order of your resume depends on where you stand in your career.
  1. STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADUATES

If you are still in school, it’s essential to put your education at the top of your resume. Recruiters looking to hire students want to know what year you are at to ensure that you are qualified for a specific role. Other information that falls under education is your GPA and Major/Concentration, which is also essential information needed for the recruiter to ensure you are qualified for the position. If you do not have a competitive GPA, replace you’re overall GPA with your major GPA (GPA of classes relevant to your Major/Concentration). Another option if your GPA is not competitive is to highlight any semesters that you were on the Dean’s List. If none of these options are suitable, it may be best to remove your GPA overall.

Many recruiters and hiring managers do not spend much time reading resumes, so if they don’t see this information quickly when reviewing, they may not consider you for the position.

In addition, adding your expected graduation date is helpful for recruiters looking to hire interns to whom they may want to offer a full-time position after the internship’s completion. Many recruiters want to hire individuals they can see long-term at an organization. For them, if they put resources into training and employing you, it’s best if they try and keep you as a long-term employee. It’s more beneficial for the organization to hire someone who has been through an internship program full-time over someone who is brand new to the company.

Having your education be the first section of your resume is also recommended for recent graduates. Given that recent graduates may not have extensive experience, highlighting your education is essential.

2. PROFESSIONALS (with at least three years of experience)

For individuals with several years of full-time experience, it’s crucial to highlight your experience first. This is because recruiters want to see the most relevant piece of information first when reviewing a resume. After working for 3-5 years, the GPA your earned is no longer as relevant as the impact you made in your full-time work experience.

Resume Writing Tips 2022 – Tip Three: How to condense your resume

Keeping your resume to one page is best practice.

     The last resume writing tip is the quickest – keep your resume to one page. Most recruiters have so many resumes to look at that they don’t even get through the first page, so it’s important to condense your resume so you can have them see as much information as possible. If you have years of experience, I recommend only highlighting your most recent three to four or most relevant roles. 

*Bonus Tip*: Convert your resume into your LinkedIn Page

After doing all the work to create a great resume, the last tip is to upload all of this information into a LinkedIn profile. Linkedin essentially allows you to make a profile and add all your work experience, certifications, etc. This will help you showcase your experiences to recruiters (and allows recruiters to come to you), and also for recruiters to cross-check the information you input when you applied for a specific role.

Good luck and wishing you all the best with creating your resume! I hope these Resume Writing Tips 2022 were helpful for you.