Writing your resume for the first time in years? Struggling to get a response after sending it out to employers?



Whether you’re aware of it or not, resume trends have changed substantially, and the document you send out will compete with better-designed resumes that quickly spark employer interest.



Ignoring these trends in format and writing style can make it harder for your resume to catch a hiring manager’s eye. The way your message is delivered can be as important as the message itself!



So, what’s changed in recent years and months? Besides the fact that an objective isn’t workable anymore, many resumes now contain a splash of color, a branding headline, or a metrics- and detail-packed summary that replaces tired, overused phrases.



Consider implementing these trends into your own resume as a way to stand out:



1 – A touch of color.




While color can seem like a huge stretch for a resume, it can also be a valuable tool that helps direct the eye to particular elements on the page.



For example, the red in this resume for an IT Auditor (who quickly landed her next job) helps to set off different sections of the document, making for easier navigation and readability for a career that is heavy on details. The accent symbols also help to emphasize both the candidate’s name and desired job title.



Should you decide to incorporate color in your resume, start with just a border or headline to get a feel for the fit against your achievements. If it seems like too much, back off and review the resume in black and white for a comparison.



2 – A branding statement.



One of the best-kept secrets of professional resume writers, a headline or branding statement allows you to put one of your top strengths front and center in your resume – allowing employers to quickly see the impact of hiring you.



A branding headline was used to distinguish this Sales Manager as a major contributor to revenue, where he gained results against competitors that constantly tried to infiltrate his accounts. Rather than spelling this all out in detail, the opening statement was used to set the tone of the resume, with numerous examples of revenue achievement shown in subsequent sections.



If you’re trying to write a branding statement for yourself, first consider your top 3-5 strengths. Next, look at which of these skills has the most impact on your employers, and then formulate a concise and focused sentence that you can use at the top of your resume.



3 – A metrics- and achievement-driven summary.



Employers and HR professionals must have seen thousands of “team players” by now… those that are “dynamic” and “motivated” included. Since your summary lives in prime resume real estate, why not add your most notable achievements and qualities there?



This example of a CIO and CTO resume demonstrates how a summary can be used to display career awards, keywords, and leadership-level capabilities.



When putting your resume together, consider moving some of your strongest achievements and career highlights up into the first few words and phrases, as my colleague Bob McIntosh, Career Development Trainer at the Career Center of Lowell, reiterates in his blog.



You’ll find that employers appreciate the opportunity to review the high points of your experience, rather than digging deep into your resume to find them.



Should your resume fail to leverage these and other trends, you run the risk of looking out-of-date against your competition.



Your best bet – even if you’re just getting started with your job hunt – is to incorporate a few cutting-edge elements that can help you distinguish your credentials in a sea of resumes.