Spring is in full swing. As you clean out the closets and spruce up the yard, why not stop to dust the cobwebs off of your resume? While many people are getting rid of the old to make room for the new, they often forget about their resume, especially if they’re not in the midst of looking for a job. But there is no telling when you may need your resume or when a great job opportunity will arise. It’s better to take the time now to polish things up than trying to cram it in at the last minute when it really counts.
- Don’t just keep adding on. It is tempting to simply add your latest experience to the top and move on. But doing so makes your resume keep growing and growing. Do you really need three pages when you could fit everything on two? Or even one? If your experience dates back more than 10 or maybe 15 years, consider removing it or simply listing the company, position, and dates without any details. It is likely that your recent experience is more relevant and a better reflection of your abilities.
- Change up the format. If your resume is looking outdated or you’re just ready for something different, make some changes to the format. Pick a different font or layout. Use an arrow for your bullet points instead of dots. Add horizontal lines or strategic bolding. Even seemingly minor adjustments can make a big difference in the look and feel of your resume and reenergize your search.
- Update to be more relevant. The last time you updated your resume you may have had three direct reports and now you have seven. Or perhaps you have new metrics to add that are more timely and accurate. Replace previous achievements with ones that are more impressive and better suited to your abilities. Switch up your keywords too with core competencies that are aligned with current trends.
- Read everything. Don’t just gloss over old sections of your resume because you made sure they were error-free the first time around. Carefully read through everything. Remove any redundancies and find ways to make statements more powerful and concise. Check your contact information to make sure that it is up-to-date and provides hiring managers with the best way to get in touch with you. Surprisingly there are many people who overlook this section. And just one error or wrong number could mean missing out on a great opportunity.
- Update your online resources. Now that you’ve spent the time to polish your resume, make sure it’s available. If you have your resume stored on an online job board or other career site, upload the latest version. Make changes to your LinkedIn profile and online portfolio as well. You want to make sure that everything is cohesive and up-to-date across platforms.
Whether you’re currently looking for a new job or not, having an updated resume is always a good idea. Contact Chic Resumes at (803) 831-7444 or resumewriting@grammarchic.net and let us help you with your resume spring cleaning so you have a polished, professional resume that aligns with your career.
Amanda E. Clark founded Grammar Chic in 2008. She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and holds degrees in Journalism, Political Science, and English. She launched Grammar Chic after freelancing for several years while simultaneously leading marketing and advertising initiatives for several Fortune 500 companies.
