Update Your Resume Month

Whether you’re out job hunting, you dream of a new career or you’re even happy with the career you’ve got, dusting off the old resume and giving it an update is always a good idea. A lot may have changed since you last gave it a makeover. Maybe you’ve moved, or you have a new telephone number. Perhaps you have a new job or two to list, or new skills to make sure you have on it.

Even if you think you don’t need your resume right this moment, updating it now can save you time and hassle later. During this 9th annual International Update Your Resume Month, follow the Career Directors International association and do just that. Keeping your resume current, they remind us, will help keep us ready and on our toes should a wonderful new opportunity open up.

Here are some tips to keep in mind while updating your resume.

Use a resume template if you don’t know where to begin. These can be found in most word processing software products as well as online.

Use a 12 or 14 size font. Don’t use italics or underlining, and try to keep it to a single page.

Be your own biggest fan. It’s up to you to show off your skills, so if you are proficient in an area, be sure to get it on the paper. Promote all of your strengths.

Emphasize what you can bring to the company. Ultimately this is why they’ll hire you, right?

Don’t include demographic information. This includes your marital status, race, religion, etc.

That said, don’t list everything. As a marketing tool, your resume should, as the CDI reminds us, “only have enough information to encourage an employer to find out more.”

Take your time. Don’t rush through this process. It might be a good idea to work on it, take a break, and then come back to take a fresh look. Make sure it’s polished, that you’ve got everything you want on there, and everything is current and up-to-date. Double check spelling and grammar. Unlike an email, your resume should be perfect.

Include job training with your education section. Any company refresher courses you took count!

Get a second opinion. Give it to a friend or two for a once-over, or ask a professional resume service for help. If you do use a service, keep in mind that it can take weeks to get your resume from them.