Need to dust the cobwebs off your resume? Does looking at your resume give you goosebumps in a bad way? Regularly updating your resume is crucial, whether you’re actively job hunting or not. The job market is always evolving and job opportunities can pop up at any moment. Be prepared with these steps on how to update your resume and bring it back from the dead.
Why Keeping Your Resume Updated is Important
If you’re actively searching for a job, it should be at the top of your priority list to have an updated copy of your resume ready to go at all times. Did you know that even if you’re content with your current job, you should still keep your resume updated? The last thing you want to do is see an opening for your dream job and scramble to update your resume when time is of the essence. We highly suggest updating your resume every six months, but once a year at the minimum.
Your chances of being hired increase when your resume is up to date and ready to go at all times. Hiring managers, Human Resources, and recruiters use technologies like Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan resumes. We will dive into the importance of formatting your resume for compatibility with these systems.
Steps to Update Your Resume
A step-by-step guide to effectively update your resume.
Review and Refresh Your Resume Format
Resumes can have many designs, colors, patterns, pictures, and formats. The list goes on and on. Best practice is to keep the formatting simple, clean, and consistent. The first thing an employer will notice is an inconsistent and outdated format. Also, make sure your resume is error free. One study found “only 33,881 of the 92,989 resumes analyzed were spelling error-free, meaning almost two-thirds (63.6%) of resumes contained at least one mistake,” according to ELearning Inside. You don’t want to be in that category!
Remove the Clutter and Irrelevant Information
Avoid repeating responsibilities or skills. Remove information that’s irrelevant or doesn’t add value. If you graduated college five years ago, you don’t need to include your high school gpa or your lifeguarding job when you’re now applying for an Account Manager position. Ensure that the only information present on your resume is true. Find out here why being honest on your resume is so important.
Highlight New Achievements and Skills
Every job you have listed on your resume should be updated with accurate and concise job responsibilities. If you received a promotion within the same company, include accurate responsibilities for both positions. Make sure you include your top skills to emphasize your best assets! Do you have any of these top 10 soft skills employers love?
Tailor Your Resume for Specific Jobs
If you’re not sure what the next step in your career is, create a few versions of your resume that are tailored to the position you’re applying for. For example, teachers have some great transferable skills. Make sure to highlight skills that would transfer well to a Human Resources role or Educational Sales Representative if that is what you’re aiming for.
Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
An Applicant Tracking System is what internal recruiters and hiring managers use to store candidates resumes, and they track notes about communication (in person interviews, emails, phone calls). Optimize your resume by keeping it clean and simple. Use standard fonts, include keywords from the job description, and utilize bullet points. Avoid logos, pictures, lines, tables, font colors, and non-standard fonts.
Use Strong Action Verbs
Write your resume with words that pack a punch. Avoid repeating these strong action words, but use them where they make sense. The goal is to use clear and concise words that have an impact. Avoid fluffy or obviously out of place action words that don’t fit the energy of your resume. Remember, the thesaurus is your best friend! Here are a few strong action verbs to use:
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- Analyzed
- Assessed
- Clarified
- Conducted
- Coordinated
- Developed
- Demonstrated
- Evaluated
- Facilitated
- Guided
- Integrated
- Motivated
- Planned
- Processed
- Reinforced
- Scheduled
- Supervised
- Supported
- Trained
- Upgraded
- Verified
Update Your Contact Information
Contact information on your resume should be limited to email address and phone number. Make sure your email address is professional. Sorry foodluvr123@gmail.com, that includes you! You may put the city and state in which you live, but leave off your street address. You don’t want to miss out on an opportunity because you misspelled your email address or typed your phone number incorrectly.
Align Resume Content with LinkedIn Page
Every date, job title, and certification should align with your LinkedIn page. If an employer or recruiter compares them, they should match. This is especially true for dates.
Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid
You’ve heard the saying, “time is money.” You want to ensure that the time a recruiter or employer takes to look at your resume, they’re impressed. On average, an employer will look at a resume for around six to seven seconds before making up their mind about your resume. Here’s a list of what to avoid:
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- Pictures/Headshots
- Home address
- Spelling/grammatical errors
- Format is distracting or inconsistent
- Unprofessional email address
- Illegible, colorful, or cursive colorful fonts
- Different font sizes
- Misaligned headings and bullet points
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In Conclusion…
- Keep your resume clean, concise, and clear.
- Ensure your resume is updated and accurate at all times.
- Tailor your resume for different positions you apply to.
- Keep formatting consistent and simple.
- Make sure your contact information is updated.
Still having trouble updating your resume to stand out? Don’t fear, Chief of Staff is here! Our recruiters specialize in helping you with your job search. This includes helping you update your resume to accurately reflect your skillset! If you’re looking for work in the Kansas City area and interested in learning more about Chief of Staff KC, please visit us at https://chiefofstaffkc.com/ or call us at 816-581-2776.
Written by Kendall Jackson
Marketing Specialist at Chief of Staff KC
Currently hiring and need a helping hand? Haven’t had a smooth job search?
Reach out to Chief of Staff KC with any questions you may have, and we’ll pair you with a dedicated recruiter that is motivated to find the right fit for you. Let’s get started.