Since you’ve been gainfully employed for a good stretch of
time, an updated resume might seem low on your to-do list. We get it: It’s no
longer a priority. But if you let your resume turn stale, you put yourself at a
disadvantage.
For many people, updating their resume feels like going to
the dentist—they avoid it at all costs, but there are benchmarks in your career
when your resume needs a tune-up.
When you start a new
job
The best resumes highlight quantifiable achievements—not
job responsibilities. But when you’re a new employee, you don’t have any real
accomplishments yet. Instead of copying and pasting snippets from the job
posting onto your resume, tell the story of why you were hired.
Now is also the time to update your career summary section.
Coming off the job search circuit, you should tweak this part of your resume
while your value proposition is fresh in your mind.
When you get promoted
Take the opportunity to celebrate, but don’t forget to
update your resume, which should always include your current position. Don’t
just slap on your new job title though; explain why you earned the promotion (e.g., promoted for outstanding
performance to spearhead new project), and “don’t be afraid to brag”.
When you complete a
big project
Did you close a major transaction? Wrap up development on a
new product? These accomplishments need to be reflected on your resume. Any time you finish a successful
project, make sure it goes directly onto your resume, (e.g., implemented new
accounting system that saved the company $50,000 in annual operating costs).
Include such details as how many people worked on the team, what your role
entailed and the hurdles you crossed.
When you get laid off
Getting fired is one thing (in which case, you’ll need to do more than update your resume);
getting laid off as part of a downsizing is a different story. Unemployment
isn’t a black mark if it’s a result of the company’s performance.
Part of bouncing back, though, involves working on an
updated resume. And rather than try to hide the fact that you’re unemployed—a
strategy that could put off prospective hiring managers—include in your summary
section why you were terminated (e.g., laid off as part of a 20% reduction in
staff).
Additionally, you’ll want to update your work experience to
reflect what it is you’re currently doing. Yet, putting that you’re now a “job
seeker” isn’t very appealing to prospective hiring managers. The better move:
Join a professional association and take on a volunteer position,
such as an events coordinator, that you can add to your resume.
Showing that you’re actively involved with an industry
organization clears up any assumption that you’re just sitting there twiddling
your thumbs while you look for a job.
When you acquire new
skills
Whether it’s an accreditation, certification or new
proficiency (e.g., learning a second language), skills strengthen your resume,
so keep yours current. Industry-specific credentials can also serve as keywords to help your resume pass through application tracking systems.
Do a quarterly assessment of your resume and remove any
outdated skills or obsolete software. Look at job postings in your field to
determine what skills are in demand.
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