Mass layoffs are still among us and the decision of who to kick and who to keep is typically financially strategic. Seniority won’t save you. Nobody likes having to look for a new job let alone after being suddenly laid off with no income and no prospects. Updating your resume is a close second to having to search for a new job on the misery scale so periodically updating it through your career may save you a headache. Here are a few reasons why you should consistently update your resume (even if you are employed).
Only updating your resume when you’re looking for a new job can be counterproductive as the information may not apply to your current job search (i.e., maybe you’re looking for an entirely new role and will need to tailor your previous job responsibilities accordingly). Updating this frequently will help keep the information concise, clear, relevant, and parallel to your career. We frequently come across expired email addresses or phone numbers on resumes which will deter a potential employer from contacting you.
Because applying to jobs online is the norm, tailoring your resume is key. For example, maybe a company is solely looking for someone with technical experience and you work with various software or programs that are relevant to that job. However, if there is another position that is looking for emphasis with years of experience and skills – then those programs may not be as imperative to include. Tailoring your resume depending on the role will help emphasize your skills or experience – which requires you to consistently make edits and updates to your resume. Pro tip: Have multiple resume(s) highlighting different experiences/skills that you have.
If you are working in an industry that has new programs releasing, or new certifications being introduced – you can add these as you learn them or as you become certified. For example, say you are applying for a position in social media/marketing. As new trends become introduced, being familiar or knowledgeable with trends/platforms will help you be a more valuable candidate.
Trying to recall responsibilities from a position you no longer have can be challenging. If you update your resume in real time while you’re in that current position, you can recall specific statistics, programs, and responsibilities much easier. For previous positions, a great way to recall some of your tasks is to Google your old job description. There will be many different job descriptions, so try to find the one that is most like yours. From there, cross reference any responsibilities that aligned with your previous positions. Then going forward, all the information will be accurate and up to date – and you can continue to update it as you go.
If you do encounter a company or stumble upon a position that you are interested in – your resume is already ready to be submitted. You don’t have to carve out time to research, update, edit, review, and finalize your resume before applying. This helps with any spur-of-the-moment openings to not miss out on a great opportunity.
If you are consistently updating your resume and LinkedIn, you can casually job search at any time. Job seekers who only update their resume/LinkedIn when they begin job searching, make it more apparent that they are looking to pursue other positions. With this constantly being updated, you can search for positions at any given moment.
For further assistance with your job search or your search for qualified candidates, please call (518) 275-4816.
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