September is here, and with it comes a great reminder for professionals everywhere: it’s International Update Your Resume Month! Whether you're actively job hunting, considering a career change, or just want to stay prepared for unexpected opportunities, this is the perfect time to refresh your resume. While that probably sounds as exciting as spring cleaning, it is important nonetheless. A well-crafted resume is often your first interaction to a potential employer, while a poorly written resume is often the last. Here’s why you should take advantage of this month and important strategies to make your resume stand out.
1. Stay Prepared: You never know when a dream job might pop up or when you’ll need to present your resume to a networking contact. Keeping it updated means you're always ready to seize new opportunities.
2. Reflect on Your Achievements: Over time, we often forget to document our achievements. Updating your resume allows you to reflect on what you've accomplished, whether it's completing a successful project, learning a new skill, or earning a promotion.
3. Tailor Your Experience: If you’re considering a career change, updating your resume gives you the chance to highlight transferable skills and experiences that align with your new career goals.
1. Start with a Clear Format: Choose a clean, professional layout. Avoid overly complex designs that might distract from the content. Substance wins out over flash the vast majority of the time.
2. Focus on Contact Information: Ensure your contact information is up-to-date and easy to find. It sounds obvious, but there’s no point in convincing an employer to hire you if they can’t let you know about it!
3. Highlight Recent Experience: Make sure your most recent job experience is front and center. Describe your role, key responsibilities, and significant achievements. Use bullet points for clarity and digestibility.
4. Quantify Your Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your impact. For example, “Increased sales by 20%” or “Managed a team of 10”. This adds credibility and makes your accomplishments more tangible.
5. Tailor for Specific Roles: Customize your resume for the types of roles you’re interested in. Highlight skills and experiences that are most relevant to the positions you’re targeting.
6. Update Skills and Certifications: List any new skills, courses, or certifications you’ve acquired since your last update. This shows that you’re committed to professional growth and staying current in your field.
7. Proofread and Get Feedback: Typos and errors will hurt your chances. Proofread your resume carefully and repeatedly. Consider asking a friend or mentor to review it as well – second opinions can be invaluable.
If you’re a student or recent graduate, you might not have the same extensive job experience as some other candidates, but that’s ok! International Update Your Resume Month is still a great time to build or refine your resume, albeit with a slightly different focus:
1. Include Relevant Coursework: Highlight courses or projects that are directly related to the jobs you’re applying for.
2. Showcase Practicums and Part-Time Jobs: These experiences can demonstrate your work ethic, skills, and the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities.
3. Don’t Forget Soft Skills: Employers value soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Be sure to weave these into your resume where relevant.
Fun fact, the great Leonardo da Vinci is often credited with the first professional resume back in 1482. Da Vinci decided to record some of his many personal achievements on paper in the form of a letter. He was applying for a position as a military engineer under the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza. Da Vinci eventually left employment with the Duke to pursue his passion as a full-time artist. A decade after leaving Milan, da Vinci returned to the city and Sforza, this time to create the iconic masterpiece known as “The Last Supper”.
International Update Your Resume Month is more than just a reminder – it’s an opportunity to reflect on your career journey and position yourself for future success. Take some time this September to refresh your resume, and you’ll be ready to tackle new opportunities with confidence.
ABM’s employment services team is always happy to assist students and graduates in effectively marketing themselves to potential employers. After all, our primary mission remains providing Education that Gets You Hired! Contact us today to see how we can improve your own career prospects, or continue reading our fascinating and informative blogs!
Happy Resume Revision!
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