Professional Resume Advice and Sample ... - Career Services

#1: UPDATE YOUR RESUME EVERY SIX MONTHSOf all the tips in this chapter, this is the most important: Keep yourresume up to date! In today’s complex and uncertain employmentlandscape, you never know when you’ll receive an unexpected call oremail asking for your resume. And you never know when your positionmight be terminated, your company acquired, or your industry undergoa radical shift. Be certain that you have an updated resume that you canput into play with just a moment’s notice.We recommend that you update your resume every six months.Sometimes you might not have a lot to add or change. Other times, you’llhave a new position to add, a new degree, a change of address, or otherimportant information.Follow this simple process for updating your resume:• Begin with the great resume you already have.• Keep a file where you can quickly note achievements, projecthighlights, awards, commendations, added responsibilities –everything and anything that’s new “on the job.” Note what youdid, how you contributed, and what the results were so you havethat information handy when it’s time to update your resume. Ifyou wait until you’re ready to update, you’ll have to spend timetrying to remember or research all of the relevant information.Save yourself a lot of time and headache and jot down a fewnotes when it happens. That strategy is guaranteed to make ahuge difference in how quickly and expertly you can update yourresume.CHAPTER 13 : Using theProfessional’s Resume291