Best Times to Refresh Your Resume For Your Job Search

Refreshing Your Resume for a New Job

Your resume should be updated periodically to reflect your most current skills, work experience, and certifications. Before you begin job hunting, think of the last time you updated your resume. You may have new skills and achievements that can help you stand out from the crowd of job seekers. Resume standards may change over time, so you also want to make sure your resume doesn’t appear dated or out of touch with the current job market.

This guide will show you everything you need to ensure you have a modern resume, including:

• Modifying your resume to pass an applicant tracking system
• Tailoring your resume for a specific job description
• Tips for updating your resume when you’re making a career change

Six Times When You Need To Update Your Resume

There are a variety of reasons for job seekers to update their resumes. Even if you have made a new resume in the last year or so, you may be surprised to learn that your resume can still benefit from a revision. Here are six times when you should consider updating your resume:

1. Update your resume to tailor it to a specific job description.

   Each time you apply for a new job, you should update your resume to tailor it to the job description. Busy hiring managers will scan your resume quickly and compare it to the position they advertised. By using keywords and phrases from the job posting throughout your resume, you can show your potential employers that you are a match for the role. Pay attention to elements like skills, certifications, and the position title. For example, if the job you are applying for is titled “secretary” and your previous job was officially titled “administrative assistant,” you may want to use both descriptions in order to convey the fact that you have prior experience in the field. Recruiters may not stop to read your work experience or even read your whole resume, so you want to make sure that each detail of your resume gives you the best chance of making it through the hiring process.

2. Update your resume to optimize it for an applicant tracking system.

   Many recruiters and hiring managers make use of an applicant tracking system, or ATS. ATS is software that can be programmed to scan your resume for desired elements such as format, keywords, layout, and information. The job description for each job application will often give you clues to make it through the ATS. For instance, if the job posting stresses particular skills, address them in your resume. If the job description requests that you submit your resume in a specific format, such as a PDF file, make sure you follow the instructions. The ATS may be set to read only specific file formats.

3. Update your resume when you are making a career change.

   There are several reasons to update your resume when you are making a career change. If you are changing from one industry to another, then there may be a different set of skills the hiring managers will be looking for, and that you should emphasize in your resume. Another reason to update your resume when making a career change is that you may benefit from a different format. If you are beginning a job search in a new industry that you do not have much work experience in, then you may want to use a resume format that focuses more on skills and certifications, such as combination resume format.

4. Update your resume when you gain new skills or achievements.

   If you learn a new skill that is relevant to your industry, win an award, or make a big achievement at work, then you may want to update your resume even if you aren’t changing jobs. If you’re up for a promotion or move to a different department at work, then you may be asked for a current resume. If you use social media such as LinkedIn for networking purposes, then you also want to make sure that you make the best first impression on peers and colleagues who may offer you new opportunities to collaborate. When describing achievements, use action verbs such as:

   • Leveraged
   • Orchestrated
   • Coordinated
   • Managed

    

5. Update your resume to make it look professional and modern in appearance.

   The aesthetic standards of a resume can change over time. This is especially important to pay attention to if you work in a visual industry such as art or design. Make sure that your resume is clean and easy to read, without clutter or unnecessary distractions. Using a resume template can help you to achieve a professional resume appearance.

6. Update your resume to match your cover letter.

   Some job seekers assume they can use the same generic resume for each job as long as they update their cover letter. However, the best job application will have a resume and cover letter that complement each other. An updated resume will show potential employers that you care enough about the available position to make an effort to put your best foot forward. If you have new information to put in your cover letter, then you should update your resume to reflect this as well.