Are you looking for jobs as a freelance graphic designer or need roles as a social media manager? Having a well-crafted resume for non-traditional career paths can make a big difference. However, the question is, how can you create one? Well, to find out, read our blog till the end.
With the job market evolving, traditional career paths are no longer the only option for professionals. Since employers now emphasise skills and experiences rather than knowledge, non-traditional career paths are becoming popular.
For those individuals in creative fields, having a professional resume is the key to landing their dream job.
But with many people now transitioning towards these sectors, how can you capture your essence and stand out?
If that’s what you are worried about, consider reading our blog! Here, we will explore the top tips for writing a solid CV.
Understanding Non-Traditional Career Paths
Before we dive into the writing tips, let’s understand what non-traditional career paths are. Well, they are way different than the basic roles like marketing manager, HR, accountant.
They explore the creative side of the job industry. From the freelance graphic designer to artists, social media managers, these careers are becoming popular.
Since they require skills, the approach for creating a resume for such roles is also different. Moreover, understanding the job description is essential before applying.
Now that you have clarity on these career paths let’s move forward and discover how to craft a solid resume for them.
Top Tips for Writing a Resume for Non-Traditional Career Paths
1. Craft A Compelling Summary
When creating a resume, the first step you need to do is craft a compelling professional summary. Remember it is your only way of grabbing the hiring manager’s attention that too in seven seconds.
Therefore, the simpler the summary is, the higher your chances of impressing them.
So start your summary by introducing yourself. Also tell about the job role, experience and skills. Make sure to keep at least 3 to 4 lines. Furthermore, focus on your uniqueness. Also tell the managers why you are the best fit.
A Pro Tip: Writing a professional summary can be tricky since you have to cover everything in a few lines. Hence, you can seek guidance from the CV Writing Help UK services. These experts can help you craft a flawless summary that resonates with your goals.
2. Highlight Relevant Skills
One of the crucial aspects of writing a non-traditional resume is highlighting the relevant skills, especially the transferable ones.
Why?
They help show you have passion and the right skill set to ace your job. Therefore, make sure to include both hard and soft skills in your resume. Furthermore, create a balance between them and avoid overstuffing. Also, don’t just tell – instead, show relevant examples like:
- Creative Problem Solving: My skills helped me create incredible marketing strategies for small businesses and boost their sales to 40%.
- Communication Skills: I helped my company get potential clients because of my pitching and convincing tone.
3. Pick a Visually Appealing Format
Ah! How can we forget about this one?
Resume writing is not all about including your experiences and skills. You also have to make it visually appealing. Therefore, when creating, make sure to pick the relevant format.
From industry-centric to minimal CV designs, there are tons of pre-made templates available. Hence if you want, consider choosing from them.
Furthermore, remember the traditional resume format is not suitable for such jobs. Therefore, you should consider choosing from the following:
- Functional: It is a combination of your skills and experiences. It is perfect if you are changing careers.
- Hybrid: It is the mixture of both functional and chronological resume which includes achievements, skills, education, experiences etc.
Disclaimer: When applying for different jobs, one size fits all approach is not a good idea. Therefore, be it format or other information, make sure to tailor the resume according to the industry and roles.
4. Use Powerful Keywords
Whether you are applying for simple roles or transitioning to the creative sector, hiring managers are now using applicant tracking software to refine resumes before they can reach them.
Hence, if you want to stand out, consider using powerful keywords to optimise your CV for ATS. For example, if you are applying for the position of graphic designer, look for the relevant keywords and incorporate them.
A Pro Tip: Do not stuff the resume with these keywords. Instead only include 8 to 9 depending on how long the CV is.
5. Include A Portfolio
A solid portfolio is vital if you are applying for a non-traditional career.
Why?
Since the managers are not looking for academic backgrounds, they need proof that you have all the relevant skills needed for the role.
Therefore, don’t forget to include your portfolio. From the small freelancing gigs, you have done to the part-time jobs and personal projects, include everything.
Advice: We suggest adding a link to your website. Make sure that it includes all your relevant achievements.
6. Revise Your Resume
Once done making the resume, don’t hit submit. Instead, take your time and review it thoroughly. Check for grammatical and punctuation errors.
Additionally, make sure that you have used the right format. Also, pay attention to your summary, skills and experiences. See if you have missed anything. If yes, make sure to include it.
Furthermore, consider seeking feedback from your family and friends. Getting a second pair of eyes to view your work can increase the chances of improvement.
Additional Tip: Seek Expert Help
Writing a resume can be tricky, especially if you are working on it for the first time. Thus consider seeking help from the London CV Writers to avoid mistakes. They know what hiring managers are looking for in a candidate. Hence, they can help you refine your CV to perfection, ensuring you can stand out and land your dream job.
Wrapping Up!
That’s a wrap! Writing a non-traditional resume can be challenging. However, you can create a solid CV with the right approach and tips. By reading the job description, adding a professional summary, using relevant keywords, attaching a portfolio and seeking help, you can master your resume. So what are you waiting for? Follow these tips now and kickstart your career. Best of luck!
