If it's been five or more years since you've looked for a job, you may be unsure of modern best practices for resumes and cover letters. Trends and employer priorities are always changing, so it's important to brush up on what hiring managers want to see in today's market. Here is what you need to know to make sure your resume gets noticed for the right reasons.

Ditch Your Objective

Objectives used to be important, but hiring managers know your objective is to land an interview and get hired. Instead, create a professional summary -- a high-level overview of your career thus far, showcasing the qualifications and skills that make you valuable.

Incorporate Keywords

Make sure to include the skills and requirements stated in the job posting. Most companies leverage applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter incoming resumes and failing to include keywords could result in your resume being rejected.

Swap Responsibilities For Achievements

Instead of listing out all of your responsibilities at previous jobs, focus on your achievements. Hiring managers can infer what you did based on your job title. They are much more interested in the value that you bring to the table.

Don't Date Yourself

If you graduated from college 15 or more years ago, you don't need to include the date. Dating your education could lead to inadvertent age discrimination. You can also leave off work experience that is over 15 years old, especially if it is not relevant to what you do today.

Remove Personal Information

Details like family status, hobbies, religious affiliations and other personal details can put HR in hot water. There is no reason to include personal information on your resume and set yourself up for potential discrimination.

Tailor, Tailor, Tailor

Both your resume and your cover letter should be tailored to the job you are searching for. Twenty years ago, it was cost-prohibitive to tailor resumes, and employers didn't expect it. Today, they do expect candidates to address the specifics laid out in the job posting.

Keep Your Cover Letter Concise

Your cover letter should not rehash your entire resume. Keep it short and to the point, focusing on the most relevant details the hiring manager wants to know. Paragraphs should be concise and if possible, use bulleted lists to allow for faster reading.

Are You Ready to Get Back Into the Job Market?

If you are ready for a job change or you're jumping back into the workforce after a hiatus, put an expert recruiter on your side. Contact PrideStaff today to learn how we can help you achieve your goals.