You’re Hired! CEO-Approved Resume Advice to Stand Out During (and after) a Pandemic

The job application process has changed a lot from when I was applying to my first job back in the late ‘80s. Like today, the job market had slowed down. So I scraped together my life savings, got on a plane, and showed up at prospective employers’ offices—in some cases, unannounced. 

It was a bold move, but the risk paid off. After three weeks on the road and 90 interviews, I took a job in Manhattan at the global media company, Time Inc. I started as an executive assistant in a department that managed the placement of magazines with major airlines. 

Now, I'm a mom to four and the boss of an ever-increasing number of Gen Z employees at my company, Hint. The differences are vast. With COVID-19 canceling graduations across the country, job-hunting and recruiting have moved entirely online. It’s a closed-loop:

Today, candidates can scour job listings on the internet, interview via Zoom, and their social media profiles are vetted. (Related: “Unstoppable” Podcast Month-in-Review: Expert Advice to Help You Navigate Uncertain Times)

But one thing remains the same: You still need a resume. And with coronavirus pandemic limiting the amount of IRL networking that’s possible, hiring managers will be relying on resumes more than ever to make decisions. Take it from me: Here’s what modern bosses want to see.

Make it stylized, but not flashy.  

A few months ago, The Wall Street Journal published a feature about how Gen Z employees are making their resumes more visual and personality-driven than in the past. Personal branding is essential. And in creative fields like advertising, journalism, and graphic design, employers often want to see your personality shine through.

There are more tools than ever to create an eye-catching CV. Still, there's also a fine line between appealing and unprofessional. Some hiring managers say they see resumes that “look more like a Tinder profile” or ones that use Bitmojis. That’s pushing it. Even if you have a highly designed resume, you should also have a clean, text-only version for prospective employers who are more traditional. Know your audience: Go to their websites, explore their listings on Glassdoor, and look up their current employees on #LinkedIn. You can learn a lot about company culture that way.

Always include a cover letter. 

Many people assume that no one reads cover letters. Still, a study from Business and Professional Communication Quarterly reveals that 56% of employers want to see one. And according to a recent survey by online job search site The Ladders, smaller companies—like fast-growing startups—are more likely to require a cover letter submission.

Even if a cover letter isn’t required, there’s no harm in including one. If you’re just starting, and your resume is light, a well-worded cover letter can be a crucial way to separate yourself from the pack. By providing an introduction to yourself and your interest in the job, you’re giving the company a sense of your personality, work ethic, and writing style. Unless an employer specifically requests that you not send a cover letter, aim to submit a customized one with each application. (Related: My Top 3 Mindsets for Success)

Make sure all social profiles you list (and ones you don’t) are polished. 

According to CareerBuilder, 70% of employers look up job applicants’ social media profiles during the hiring process. And if you’re going to list social media profile handles on your resume, you should make sure there's nothing potentially embarrassing or problematic out there. Before you hit "apply," search for your name on Google as well as Facebook and Instagram. It's important to know what's said about you so that you can respond in an interview. Or, you may find out that you have a "name twin," which might confuse HR managers.

Scrub your social profiles of anything controversial—even ones you don't think employers will look at, like TikTok. But don't disappear from the internet entirely. The same CareerBuilder study found that nearly half of hiring managers say it's a red flag if they can't find any evidence of a candidate online. Keep your LinkedIn profile up-to-date. And invest in a professional headshot. If you're a student, your campus career services center may provide headshot services for free.

Ask for feedback from people you trust.

CareerBuilder found that 58% of hiring managers say that they automatically dismiss a resume that has typos on it. It was the single biggest factor that caused them to reject a candidate quickly.

Always have a second set of eyes look at anything you write, whether it’s your resume or cover letter or grad school application essays. Try to find someone familiar with the industry, since they can tell you if there's anything on it that doesn't make sense. If you're a college student or recent graduate, reach out to your career services department or alumni network. Many organizations for young professionals will also offer resume or LinkedIn profile coaching. 

Don’t be ashamed about that barista job.

It’s OK if your resume is short. I would much rather see resumes with a service industry job than something that sounds more elite but doesn't speak to work ethic. If you've worked as a bartender or server, that says to me that you've developed excellent interpersonal skills, you probably work well under pressure, and that you’re a team player.

If your resume talks about getting your scuba diving certification in Southeast Asia or climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, those are amazing and probably life-changing experiences. However, it still isn’t paid or volunteer work experience. Some employers may even see “character-building” resumes as red flags. They might assume they're dealing with a privileged job candidate who might not have the same drive as a peer who took a job at Starbucks to pay back their student loans. I’d rather see the barista job, so don’t be shy about it.  

Before you start sending out your resume to everyone you know, please keep in mind one more piece of advice: Apply to companies that you love and align with your passions.

In theory, you land a dream job working with a brand that you're crazy about. I'm here to remind you that it's totally possible. I know it's important to me to hire people who really believe in Hint's mission—to create a product people love to use so they can lead happy and healthy lives. I look for candidates who want to work towards this goal every single day.

Tell me, what are some of your favorite brands that you want to work for right now?

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Kara Goldin is the founder and CEO of San Francisco–based Hint, a healthy lifestyle brand known for its delicious unsweetened flavored water. Since launching in 2005, Hint has introduced an oxybenzone- and paraben-free sunscreen collection using its signature fruit essences, and most recently, a plant-based, aluminum-free eucalyptus + lemon deodorant. Kara produces and hosts her own podcast, Unstoppable with Kara Goldin, where she interviews founders, entrepreneurs, and disruptors across various industries. Keep up with her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.