September 1, 2011

Resume 'updates' should last all year long

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So here we are on the edge of the big first weekend in September. Do you have any major plans? Reassessing career goals? Adding new skill sets? Emphasizing major job-specific accomplishments?

Wait, did you say you were barbecuing instead? No, I'm not talking about Labor Day, I mean that annual rite of passage, International Update Your Resume Month. I'm sure all job seekers have this month-long festival Sharpied into their calendars every September...

OK, I'll admit I only heard of it a few days ago myself.

Apparently, International Update Your Resume Month (IUYRM) was created by Career Directors International (CDI), an association of career planners, coaches, HR professionals and resume specialists. The idea is to encourage workers and job seekers to add new skills and experience levels to their resumes, even if they are not currently looking for work. Most people, CDI says, wait until the last minute to make resume changes and end up scrambling to add information without taking the time to structure the experience in a logical manner.

While I applaud CDI's efforts to shed light on this topic and to promote the need for more care and attention in writing resumes, the idea of setting aside a particular month for this activity sends the wrong message. Resumes should be updated not just whenever new work experience is added or a skill is attained, but whenever a job application is made.

The word "update" doesn't exactly describe what is needed. Like cover letters (or snowflakes), no two resumes you send should be alike. Each resume should be tailor-made to meet the specific needs of each potential employer, using keywords from the job description and emphasizing how your skills will best match the needs of the position.

This resume activity should be done year-round, but because the magical spirit if IUYRM is now in the air, here are a few tips about ensuring that your resume will grab the attention of hiring managers:

Start with accomplishments: While it's important to show your work history, the most important information is about what you've done, not where you did it. Near the top, add a section about your major achievements, such as times when you have saved a company money, successfully run major initiatives, won awards or solved tough problems.

Add keywords from the job description: If an employer requires experience with certain types of software, be sure to mention your familiarity with each system. If they need someone with supervisory experience, be sure to mention the roles you've had managing other people. The more words you lift directly from the job description and sprinkle into your resume, the more likely you'll be to get noticed by the scanners.

Be selective: If you have several years under your belt, you've probably had a few career changes in your lifetime, each requiring different skills. If your first job was 10 to 15 years ago, you can list it, but don't waste your time with a long description of what you did there (unless is pertains directly to the job you're seeking). Anything older you can probably leave off. It's better to focus more attention on your most recent jobs than on your first internship or the part-time work you did in between jobs.

Group your skills: Rather than mashing them all into one paragraph, try listing them by category, so they can be read more easily. Describe how these skills will be able to meet the specific needs of the employer.

Include testimonials: Your references may not always remember all of your good deeds, so be sure to collect any positive comments you receive. If you've been given a good performance review from a supervisor or received a favorable comment from a client, try to weave that into your description of your duties at your previous positions.

These techniques will require a little more time on your part as you prepare your applications. But this extra effort to personalize your resume could be the difference in whether or not you get that all-important interview.

Happy IUYRM to you!

Randy Woods writes about job-search tools, networking techniques and other tips to help you land your dream job.

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keywords, profile, resumes, skills, work history