Top Resume Trends to Look Out For in 2025
2024-08-20T16:16:31Z
Career and development
As the US labor market rebalances after the COVID pandemic, things are seemingly hitting a slow-down. According to Morningstar.com, a 1% rise in unemployment and other signs of job lull are expected to continue until 2025.
Job seekers might see more serious competition as companies in various sectors reduce growth in tandem with the economy. To stand out among other candidates, many might be wondering what they can do to optimize their resume. Some are turning to AI as a solution, while others are proactively contacting recruiters to receive more personalized advice.
Here are 8 resume trends to use as springboards for optimizing your own resume in 2025.
Tailoring Your Resume
A one-size-fits-all approach to resumes has been in the rearview mirror for quite some time, and will be especially detrimental to job seekers in 2025. Each job application should include some level of customization. This involves aligning your skills and experiences with the job description.
It's about highlighting your most relevant qualifications for each role.
Remember, employers appreciate candidates who put in the effort to understand their specific needs. Tailoring your resume shows that you're not just looking for any job, but the right job, and that you have the skills to deliver on promises.
PRO RESUME TIP:
To save time when applying for a high volume of roles, create a basic resume and adjust it for a job family or title. You can always add minor adjustments for individual applications.
Including Resume Keywords & Considering Applicant Tracking Systems
Speaking of custom resumes, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are now an indispensable tool for recruitment teams. These intuitive systems scan resumes for keywords related to the job description. You can be the best match and still lose an employment opportunity to someone more in-tune with keywords.
This is another way tailored resumes help boost your chances at securing a role. Beyond ensuring you're communicate your desire to work at a company, creating a custom resume for each role gives you a technical advantage. To get past an ATS, you must include relevant keywords on your resume that fit into the job description.
In essence: when speaking to a robot, it's not about what you say, but how you say it.
PRO TIPS:
Avoid keyword stuffing. ATS also evaluates the context in which the keywords are used. So, make sure your resume reads naturally while incorporating the necessary keywords.
Use tools like ChatGPT for resume optimization. You can start by inputting a baseline resume and asking the tool to optimize for a given job description. Be sure to adjust after, though to ensure all information is relevant and true!
The Power of a Modern, Clean Resume Design
A clean, modern design can make your resume stand out. It's not just about looks. It's about making your resume easy to read and understand. As long as you are being sure to highlight pertinent information and your most recent roles have the most details, less is more in terms of length. Being concise will take you a long way.
Include legible sections that give insights into your skills, specific responsibilities you've held at a given role, and highlight job title changes within a given company
Use ample white space, clear headings, and
bullet points,
bullet points,
bullet points!
This helps guide the reader's eye and makes your resume more digestible.
Incorporating Soft Skills and Cultural Fit
Soft skills are increasingly valued in the job market, and are on an upward trend for 2025. They can set you apart from other candidates with similar qualifications and let companies know if you'd be a good culture fit.
Include information about your communication style, teamwork abilities, and problem-solving prowess in your resume. But don't just list them, give examples of how you've used these skills in your past roles.
Further, you can research a company's values and culture to tailor your resume. Expand on the points that most align to your own goals, culture, and professional beliefs. This can increase your chances of getting an interview.
PRO TIP:
If you're having an hard time aligning your beliefs to those of the company, they might not be a good fit as an employer. Take this time to evaluate the companies you are applying to!
Building Your Personal Brand: Online Presence and Beyond
In today's digital age, your online presence can be as important as your resume. It's a part of your personal brand.
LinkedIn profiles are a non-negotiable for recruiters. Make sure yours is up-to-date and mirrors your resume. Include a professional photo and a compelling summary.
Some ways to show recruiters on LinkedIn that you're more than just a stats sheet:
Contribute to discussions related to your areas of expertise
Post original & engaging content
Refine your posting strategy
Highlight relevant skills
Consistently update & prune your LinkedIn profile
Beyond LinkedIn, consider how your online presence reflects on you as a professional. Consider creating a personal website or portfolio to showcase your work. This can give potential employers a deeper insight into your skills and experiences. And be sure to clean up any public social media profiles. A digital footprint is a very real thing, folks.
PRO TIP:
You can enter your resume into ChatGPT and ask it to pull relevant skills that appear on LinkedIn. Feature these on your profile to attract recruiters!
AI is an excellent tool for quick resume optimization!
Learn more about how you can leverage AI tools like ChatGPT to prepare your resume for potential employers.
Continuous Learning: Certifications and Courses
In the fast-paced job market of 2025, continuous learning will be key. Certifications and course diplomas show employers your commitment to staying updated and relevant in your field beyond your degree or time in university.
As these have become more accessible to professionals, and without the time commitment or price tag of an advanced degree, companies are now more keen to see certifications on resumes. Be sure to include all certifications, or get some under your belt if you haven't already. Coursera or LinkedIn Learning are great tools, check them out!
A Skills-Based Approach to Resumes
The traditional chronological resume is still best-practice, but a skills-based approach is the way to best sell yourself. Changes in the job market are affecting how recruiters and potential employers seek out quality candidates. They want to know what distinctive skills you are able to provide a company.
Highlight how your skills can add value to the potential employer and tie them into specific asks on the job description. You can do this by tailoring this section to match the job description and the company's needs.
Have we said tailor enough?
Don't forget to also demonstrate duration of these skills by tying them into titles you've held. This adds credibility.
Proofreading: The Non-Negotiable Final Step
Proofreading is a crucial step in resume writing. It's not just about checking for typos and grammatical errors. It's also about ensuring consistency in your formatting and style. This tip is old as time itself, but we included it to maintain emphasis. To stay on top of competition in the job market, it's important to not neglect the fine details.
PRO TIP:
Work smarter, not harder! Put your resume into ChatGPT for a quick proofread!
Conclusion: Keep Your Resume Dynamic
In the ever-evolving job market, keeping your resume dynamic is key. It's not a one-time document, but a living representation of your career growth.
Regular updates, even when not actively job searching, can keep you ready for unexpected opportunities. Embrace the resume trends, but remember, authenticity in showcasing your skills and experiences will always be in style.
Are you looking for career growth in 2025? Our teams in the US & Canada are actively seeking qualified candidates.
Brunel is a recruitment & workforce solutions provider with 45+ years of experience and teams of experts that serve the most respected names in oil & gas, mining, life sciences & renewables. Connect with us to learn more!