
HOW TO UPDATE YOUR RESUME
You can update your resume to highlight the new skills and qualifications you have gained in your previous positions. Below are ways you can update your resume to attract the attention of
hiring managers:
1. List your current contact information-Review the contact information on your resume
and ensure your phone number and email address are up to date. You can also remove
some information that employers may have required in the past, such as a physical
address. Unless you are applying for a position where your appearance may be relevant,
such as an acting or modeling job, you can also remove a headshot from your resume
header. Typically, most modern resume headers include your name, phone number,
email, city, and state. You can also include links to a professional networking profile or
an online portfolio if you have them.
2. Write a new summary-When searching for a new position, your experience level, skills,
or achievements have changed since you last created your resume. To reflect this
change, write an updated professional summary detailing your qualifications for the new
job. Consider the duties you have performed in past positions and your
accomplishments in those roles when writing your professional summary. For example, if
you want to transition into a management role, describe some relevant duties you have
performed in your current job, such as supervising other employees or providing
development training. You may also highlight one or two achievements in a recent role,
such as creating a new work process to improve a team’s efficiency.
3. Add resume keywords-A great way to update your resume is by reviewing the job
posting and using similar keyword on your resume. You can also search online for
industry-specific keywords to add to your resume. Many recruiters and hiring managers
use applicant tracking system (ATS) software to scan resumes for keywords matching
their preferred skills and qualifications. Including those keywords can help your resume
pass this test, which may increase your chances of receiving an interview.
4. Highlight relevant work experience-Use bullet points in the work experience section to
describe your duties and achievements in each job. This formatting allows hiring
managers to quickly review your resume and determine if your experience matches the
position. Start each bullet point with a strong verb and use concise wording to describe
the impacts of your work. As you gain work experience, some responsibilities in older
jobs may become less relevant to the new positions you seek. Review the duties and
achievements listed in your experience section to determine if they resemble the
responsibilities stated in the job position. If they share few similarities, you can either
write anew bullet points that more closely relate to the position or delete this experience
from your resume, especially if it’s older than 10 years.
5. Add new skills-Add any skills you have gained since you last updated your resume in
the skills section. Add skills relevant to the position you are applying for and list skills you
have that match what is mentioned in the job position. For example, if you are applying
to be a graphic designer, list all technical skills in the job position, such as specific
software, typography, and user design. You can also delete skills that are no longer
relevant to the position or skills that many people also have. For example, typing skills
used to be impressive to include on a resume but are now less relevant since more
people, especially those in office environments, use computers to complete their daily
tasks. Instead, include skills that may distinguish you from other candidates, such as
programming languages.
6. Include your most recent education-If you have completed additional education since
last updating your resume, list it in the education section. Be sure to include the name of
the degree and the institution where you received it. You could include your graduation
date if you earned the degree less than three years ago. List your education
chronologically, starting with your most recent degree. If you have your high school
diploma listed this this section, you can remove it unless the employer specially requests
it. Many recruiters and hiring managers prefer to know about the degrees or certificates
you have earned from educational institutions like universities or trade schools.
7. Feature additional information-If you have earned a certification related to the new
position, include it on your resume. Having certifications listed on your resume can show
em0pkoiyers your commitment to advancing your skill set and knowledge of the industry.
Create a section on your resume for certifications and list the full name of the credential,
the certifying organization, and the year you earned or renewed it. Additionally, you can
include a separate section on your resume for other optional information, such as
awards, continued education, or professional organizations. This additional information
can show recruiters you are dedicated to excelling in your industry and advancing your
career.
8. Review the formatting and content-Depending on how long ago you created your
resume, you may choose to update the formatting, so it matches employers’ current
preferences. Search online for a resume template you can use to showcase your
qualifications. Here are some general formatting tips for modern resumes:
*Use a professional font, such as Arial or Calibri, in a 10- or 12-point size so
employers can ready your resume easily.
*Set 1-inch margins on all sides and use white space to ensure your resume
appears neatly formatted.
*Bold your name and section headers so employers can skim your resume
content quickly.
*Keep your resume to one page in most cases or use two pages if you have
relevant work experience spanning more than 10 years.
Once you have reviewed the formatting, carefully proofread your resume for
grammatical or spelling issues. Also, ensure all your information is clear and
relevant to the position you seek. Having friends, colleagues or former supervisors
review your resume to ensure it accurately describes your relevant qualifications can
be helpful.
9. Save your resume properly-When you first built your resume, you may have submitted
it by printing it and handing it to employers. Though you may still have the option to
give your resume to employers during an interview, most employers ask you to submit
your resume digitally. Save your resume in a PDF format so it appears clean and
professional to the hiring manager. Choose a file name employers can easily understand
and locate for future reference. For example, you may choose to name your file using
your first and last name, followed by the word “resume.â€
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