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How to Update Your Resume to Showcase Skills Developed or Learned While Laid Off During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Picture of Someone Improving Their Resume

It’s been a tough few months. Unfortunately, you were laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which hasn’t been easy. Navigating life without a job—even for a little while—is challenging, but you decided to make the most of it.

Instead of spending all day watching Netflix, you used your time away from the workforce to sharpen your skill set. Now that the city is starting to reopen, you’re ready to update your resume and get back to work.

Employers always like to see candidates who take charge of their career development in Las Vegas, and this is especially impressive during a pandemic. Here’s some advice to properly showcase your newfound abilities.

Tips to Update Your Resume With Skills Learned While Laid Off

Shift to a Functional Format

Chances are, your resume has always followed a reverse-chronological format. However, this type of format is best for job seekers without employment gaps. Now that you’ve been laid off, a functional format—i.e., one that focuses on skills and experience, instead of work history—is likely the better option for your resume. This will make it easy to highlight the skills you’ve developed while laid off since you don’t have a job to tie them to.

Include a Summary or Objective

In recent years, the need for a summary or objective on a resume has been debated, but this is a good time to bring it back. Including this section on top of your resume will allow you to explain that you were laid off due to the pandemic, and share the skills you acquired during your downtime.

Since the unemployment rate reached record highs during the past few months, employers know millions of workers lost their jobs, due to no fault of their own. Hearing that you’ve used this time to boost your skills will highlight your ambition, which is sure to make you stand out.

Highlight Volunteer Experience

If you used your time away from the workforce to give back, include this on your resume. Place your volunteer position in your work history section, and list key responsibilities relevant to your career. Potential employers will be impressed that you chose to help others during this crisis and managed to find a way to keep boosting your job-related skills.

Get Back to Work

Being laid off due to the pandemic has been difficult, so you’re eager to return to the workforce. PrideStaff Las Vegas understands how challenging it is to be unemployed, so we’re here to help you find a new job as quickly as possible. Contact us today to get started!

 

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