Is It Time To Update Your Resume?
The
motto “Be prepared,” isn’t just great advice for Boy Scouts; it’s also great
career advice. You never know when the
perfect career opportunity will present itself.
If a recruiter called you today with your dream job, would you be
prepared to send out an up-to-date resume right away?
There
are four critical times to update your resume:
·
At least once a
year
·
Any time your
career focus changes
·
When you
anticipate layoffs with your company
·
When you begin
to feel dissatisfied with your current position
1. Update your
resume every year.
This
is where many people fall short. When
that recruiter calls with the perfect job, you may suddenly find your resume is
years out of date, and you’ll have to scramble to catch up.
Keep
your resume current by including your best accomplishments each year. Don’t count on your memory to recall
everything you achieved in years past!
You are likely to overlook critical achievements and contributions. If you need assistance, a resume coach may be
able to help you through the process with some targeted questions on your most
recent jobs.
If
you want to change your career path, then you also need to change your
resume. There are several ways to shift
the focus away from your current job and toward your new career.
By
focusing on the skills that will be useful in your new career, you can position
yourself as a stronger candidate for the job.
Highlight those transferable skills in your new resume, bringing them
front and center.
In
addition to highlighting your transferable skills, shift your list of
accomplishments to support those skills.
Accomplishment statements give credibility to transferable skills and
prove your ability to cross industry or occupational lines. Well-crafted accomplishments make a big
difference in whether you win the interview or are passed over.
Finally,
be sure you understand your audience. As
you shift career focus, it is critical to understand the hiring motives of your
target market. Use your resume as an
effective selling tool by correctly anticipating the recruiter’s “wish list”
for great job candidates.
3. Update your
resume when you anticipate layoffs within your company.
A harsh
reality of today’s economy is the need for corporate downsizing. Layoffs and losses are becoming more and more
common. But you can prepare for any
worst-case scenario by keeping your resume up-to-date.
Don’t
make the mistake of being overly optimistic.
It’s safer to assume that you are on the “out” list. Most people who get caught unexpectedly in a
layoff thought they were indispensable to their employers. You might be important or well-liked, but
remember that the bottom line always has a louder voice than you do. Get your resume ready as soon as you see any
indications that downsizing is on the way.
Don’t
mistake company loyalty for a fear of change.
Often employees would rather take their chances with a potential layoff
than make proactive steps toward finding a new job. Once they’re laid off, it’s already too
late. Remember, as a candidate, you are
always more marketable while still employed.
Avoid this trap and start your job search early with self-marketing
tools (resume and cover letter) that are up-to-date and top quality.
4. Update your
resume when you are dissatisfied with your current position.
Job
dissatisfaction leads to feelings of frustration, worthlessness, and often
hopelessness. But there is no reason to
stay in a job you hate. Being prepared
with an updated resume can help you feel better in your current job. When you have a really terrible day at work,
you can respond to job opportunities that same evening with confidence in your
up-to-the-minute resume. Taking proactive steps toward a new career will give
you back your optimism and self worth.
If
it’s time for you to update your resume, first decide whether your resume
requires a simple update or a complete rewrite.
If you have been using the same resume format throughout your career,
it’s possible that you have outgrown the old look. What your resume promoted ten years ago may
not be appropriate or significant for your career choices today. And if you’ve simply been “tacking on” to
your old resume, it may start to resemble a house with too many additions, with
little sense or direction.
A
professional resume critique can help you decide exactly what you need to move
forward. A well-written resume can make
an incredible difference in:
Your
resume is your best sales tool in finding a new job, and it deserves the
investment of your time and commitment.
With a little extra effort now, you’ll be prepared for anything that
comes your way—and be well on the path to your next great job.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deborah Walker,
CCMC
Resume Writer
~ Career Coach
To see resume
samples and read more job-search tips visit www.AlphaAdvantage.com
Email: Deb@AlphaAdvantage.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~