Update Your Resume - Today!

When did your resume last see the light of day? Even if you are firmly entrenched in your career, own your own business, or will be retiring soon, there are still many good reasons to keep your resume current:

An internal opportunity arises within your company and your resume needs to be submitted asap.
Your performance review is pending with the possibility of a pay increase and you’ll need to provide background info on achievements, length of service, etc.
A new manager takes over your department and wants to get to know the new staff.
You’re asked to speak to a group of business people where they’ll be interested in your experience and credentials leading to potential business opportunities.
A new client is ready to build a long-lasting relationship with you and wants to know more about your professional background.
Volunteer coordinators want to see your experience so they can place you in the right spot to best benefit the organization.
A part-time, contract opportunity comes up that aligns perfectly with your free time and experience.

Be sure to include timely workplace related words – those reflecting your “soft-skill” expertise – “teamwork”, “detail oriented”, and “self-motivated” are good examples. (Some University of Massachusetts economists recently surveyed employers, finding that 86% made hiring decisions based on the soft-skill experience of candidates) That list of your accomplishments you’ve been tracking will come in handy – simply format the latest ones to fit and add to your resume.

If you’re really looking to overhaul your resume, here’s something new to consider:
With the popularity of MySpace and YouTube where “vlogs” (video blogs) are all the rage, video resumes are coming to the surface. Your “resume” is sent via email or even on cd showing you in action describing why you’re the best for the position. While it is definitely unique and sets a candidate apart from the rest, it requires that you be at the top of your game in all aspects – dress, gestures, expression, confidence, voice, etc., not just with words on paper, to get the interview. Then there are audio resumes, where you offer a link to a sound bite of your voice relaying something pertinent to the job. Again, you must convey through your voice what you want an employer to glean, not just by reading words on a paper resume.

Interestingly, there are concerns being expressed already by companies and career guidance professionals about the need for candidates to produce such elaborate, costly products, and more importantly, how these new resumes open that ugly door to discrimination at this early point in the hiring process - resume review.

A resume has one purpose – to get the interview - and the opportunity to move along to the next step in a selection process. A solid, professional, well-written resume or bio will always serve you well. So, dust it off and keep it current!