Top 3 motivations to update (create, review, revise) your resume

Photo by pvera

Did you know that September is the official International Update your Resume Month, proclaimed officially by Career Directors International? September is the start of many other things, back-to-school, start of college, start of families focusing on sporting events, church group scheduling, and many things.

I think this is a great time to remember that your resume is a critical tool in your career tool box. You are also a tool as Melissa Cooley said recently in her blog, The Job Quest:

In your job search and career, you want to be considered a tool — someone who can be counted on to help the company or department reach important goals. A means to a desired end.

I would encourage you to update your resume, create a new resume, review your career goals, and if the reminder for September as the International Update your Resume Month helps you, that’s great!

But I tell my clients this all the time. You need to keep your resume current and updated.

A few weeks ago, I had a client in hospitality management call for an appointment. In the call, she said, “you told me that it is a good idea to keep my resume updated, so I want to do it now.”

Why update your resume?

1. → You want to keep the ball in your court… You don’t know when you will need that resume so you will be ready to go. Here are some more of the ball in your court strategies:

Never tell a prospect “I look forward to hearing back from you,” which puts the ball in their court. They can (and frequently do) drop the ball, leaving you with nothing.

Instead, say “I’ll be in touch soon,” keeping the ball in your court. It’s beautiful. Your reason for calling could simply be because you said that you would (implying you’re as good as your word).

2. →Your ability to remember accomplishments that make you remarkable diminishes with time.

To make your resume remarkable, it should be chock full of accomplishments, keywords, strategies, and void of dinosaur phrases like “responsible for”.

3. →You could be someone else’s treasure. In this tough economy, if you are ready to go, you can fill a need.

Repositioned and back out there with the right career marketing strategies, visible, you may be someone else’s treasure.

When a client realizes their value as I probe them for accomplishments and write their resume, the light goes on. While reading their new resume, it isn’t uncommon for the client to say, “I would hire me!” Value! Confidence! and someone else’s treasure!

September IS International Update Your Resume Month but that is only a reminder that you need to be prepared all the time… not just in September!