Q: I have been in the workforce a number of years and want to “de-age” my resume. How do you suggest I go about achieving that? I am proud of my years of service and many accomplishments, so it feels strange to consider eliminating years of good work from my resume. Where do I start?

A: The key to your self-edit is to simplify, simplify and simplify. Use the following points to guide you through the de-cluttering process of your resume:

Pay Attention To Your Words: Our use of language has evolved with the digital age, so make sure your vocabulary reflects current times.

One technique I have used is to get a copy of a resume of someone junior to you in the field and who is perceived to be an up-and-comer. Take your cue regarding language and format from this resume, and tailor your own to match it. This can be a quick way to “modernize” your approach and give your background a new face.

Use Numbers: Use numbers and not lengthy descriptions to tell your story. If your leadership increased productivity 50%, state this fact. Use bullets where possible to streamline content.

The Decade Boundary: Another guideline to keep your resume focused and clean is to have it reflect the past 10 years or so. Protocol only requires accounting for the past decade, so use this to your advantage. This allows you to eliminate graduation dates from the education section aiding in the de-cluttering process.

Don’t State the Obvious: Avoid over-explaining. Today, mastery of the Microsoft Office Suite is a given, so you need not list it. The same is true of Power Point. Save these lines for descriptions that show the results you achieve and your leadership skills.

Overall Length: The final length of the resume could depend on your field. In some industries, a longer resume is not only acceptable but also may be required for credibility such as in academics. However, most professionals can and should try and keep the resume to two or three pages. If you need a lengthy publications list to demonstrate your mastery of the field, by all means, keep it in. For most professionals, though, three pages should be enough to effectively and concisely tell the story.

Contact Karen Alphonse at Karena@execSearches.com or visit ExecSearches.com for more information about our career coaching services.

ExecSearches.com is a job board for nonprofit job seekers interested in fundraising, management and executive nonprofit jobs.

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