Being caught with an out-of-date resume is not a pleasant experience. But normally it would not matter … unless you’ve just been laid off.
That is why it is important that you stay on top of keeping your resume current. Not a fun job, perhaps, but your future job just may rely on it.
Here are a few tips and ideas to help you complete this task – not only once, but consistently. And before we get to the tips, just know that my family has faced this situation not once, but twice.
Both of my would not be impacted. Well, apparently in this life there are no guarantees, because both times his job was swallowed up in the gaping hole that submerged all the other newly un-employed individuals.
Quicker than he could mouth the word, “What?,” he then faced dusting off his resume to bring it up-to-date. Both times it was a laborious process, because it wasn’t something he’d thought about much. Now we know better and he at least yearly revisits the thing. But in this world, perhaps even yearly is not enough to keep a resume vibrant and current.
Thus, here are a few suggestions to help you keep your resume current.
1) Find sample resume books.
Constructing a current resume need not be hard. Why re-create the wheel? If you want to be prepared (and being prepared includes job preparedness), at least once a year check out a few resume books. There are many different kinds in libraries and in book stores. Glance through them and decide if you would like to adjust the format of yours. Take one hour on a Saturday yearly to do so – and voila! That part is done!
2) Talk with others.
Ask others what they’ve felt to be most impact-full in the format of their resumes. Invite feedback from others. Host a resume swap party where those you trust all come for treats and a chance to inspect each other’s resumes and share constructive criticism. Make it simple. Use the approach, “Each one brings one.” In other words, don’t have people bring multiple copies of their resumes; each person just brings one copy to pass around and for people to make notes on.
You might be surprised just how effective this can be. Book authors don’t get a book published without an editor making essential tweaks; why let your job rest on your thoughts alone? Instead, make use of good friends and family members to help edit this all important document. You never know when you might need it desperately to bring in your next job.
3) Get a journal and keep it.
On the last Saturday of the month, set aside an early hour in the day before everyone else is awake. Treat yourself to donuts and while enjoying them, jot down any new job assignments you received in the past month. Also, record any completed responsibilities you feel particularly good about. You know what they say: “Little by little soon becomes a lot.” Nowhere is this more evident than over time: in monthly installments, record your successes from your place of employment (even if self-employed). Then when your yearly “resume date” rolls around (see step #1), you’ll have much to expand or add to your resume.
Again, little by little soon becomes a lot. One might remain in their job for decades. But as most modern-day employees know, those pink slips can show up at annoyingly and frighteningly difficult times. But now you’ll be ready!
Oh, that other aspects of preparedness could be this easy!
(Not only will this activity help you keep a dynamic resume, but it also will help you in your yearly review with your employer.)
