Updating Your Resume to Maximize Chances of Success

Are you currently looking for a new job? You never know when you’ll find that perfect opportunity. When you do, you’ll want your resume ready to send to your recruitment agency or potential employer. Even if you’re not currently in the market for a new position, it’s important to keep your resume up to date, just in case. When is the last time you reviewed your resume? Do you know how often you should?

Industry experts suggest that working professionals update their resume approximately once every six months. This helps keep it fresh, accurate and ready to help you land a new job, should you need or want to.

Follow these tips to update your resume and maximize your chances of getting hired:

  • Trim, Trim, Trim.
    As you continue to narrow your job focus and expand your experience, keep your resume relevant to the types of positions you’re seeking. Include only those jobs and experiences that show you’re a good fit for the position you’ve applied for. You can delete your high school diploma once you’ve received your college degree. If you’ve been working for 10 or more years, delete positions from your past if they are no longer relevant to your search.
  • Focus on the Past Two Years.
    What projects have you worked on? What new skills have you learned? Have you had experience with new computer programs, or taken classes and continuing education? Have you received any awards or accolades? Boost your resume with these types of information.
  • Include Keywords.
    Search job databases for positions in the field you are currently, or would like to, work in. Which common words are used to describe the position, required skills or experience? Pepper your resume with these keywords.
  • Delete the Personal Stuff.
    Your resume doesn’t need to include a “hobbies and interests” paragraph. This section takes up valuable space you could use to highlight your skills and experience.
  • Keep Track of Positive Results and Feedback.
    Whenever you receive an email praising your work, or a recommendation from a colleague, file these away in a “grab file.” When you update your resume, visit your grab file to boost your resume with the positive feedback of others.
  • Be Active.
    Write your resume in the active, rather than passive, voice. It’s easier to comprehend and engages the reader’s attention. For example, “As a computer programmer, I worked on the following…” rather than “The following projects were accomplished…”
  • Proofread!
    Always review your resume. Read it over to make sure everything included is current and accurate, and proofread for typos, such as spelling errors or bad grammar. Review it forwards and backwards (literally) to make sure nothing jumps out at you. Also, ask a friend or family member to take a look.

Updating your resume every six months allows you to have it ready to use at a moment’s notice. This helps prevent the panic that can occur when you find a great job opportunity! Save yourself the stress of last minute updates by making changes to your resume gradually.

Have additional questions? Contact the experts at Snelling Georgia today!

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