
I’m sure you’ve heard this adage: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. That’s just as true of your resume as it is of many areas of life. Is your resume up to date? If not, you’re planning to miss out on those career opportunities that arise out of the blue and that you won’t want to ignore.
But failing to update your resume isn’t just a problem when it comes to being ready to seize unexpected career opportunities. It also means that you’re not ready to respond to potential layoffs or economic downturns proactively. And with more and more economists signaling that a downturn or a recession is coming in 2019 or 2020, it makes good sense to be ready just in case a sluggish economy impacts your industry, company, or job.
What to Update on Your Resume
Which parts of your resume should you update? The short answer is any part that needs new information added. But here are the sections you should review at least annually, if not semi-annually or quarterly.
Resume Updates versus Resume Makeovers
Allow me to draw a distinction that you may find helpful. A resume update applies to a document that is in good shape but lacks a few bits of information such as those details outlined above. A resume makeover is a section-by-section and line-by-line rebuild. If your resume hasn’t been rebuilt by a credentialed resume writer in the past, then you almost certainly need one now. If, on the other hand, your resume has been rebuilt and you’re just seeking to keep it fresh, then an update is likely all that you’ll need.
Generally speaking, I recommend a resume rebuild if your last one was 5 years or more in the past, if you’ve had more than 3-4 job changes of a substantial nature, or if you’ve altered your career focus or job targets since your last makeover.
And while you’re getting your resume updated, make sure you update the rest of your career communications portfolio at the same time – your LinkedIn profile, your cover letter, your bio or marketing brief, and any case study documents you use for career management purposes. While these documents don’t often come to mind when thinking of a resume update, they’re just as important to refresh with recent job changes and current accomplishments.
How long has it been since you had your resume or LinkedIn profile updated?
In honor of National Update Your Resume Month, I’m offering a 20% discount on any resume updates to all my past clients. The discount applies not only to your resume update, but to any other updates or services you purchase at the same time, such as updates to your LinkedIn profile, cover letter, bio, or marketing brief, or any coaching services. Note, though, that this offer is valid only through 9/30/19 and only for returning clients of ExecutiveResumeRescue.com. To schedule your updates, email me, message me on LinkedIn, or reach out via my website’s contact page.