Update Your Resume Often, Even When Not Job Hunting

Recently I dusted off my resume. I had almost forgotten where my qualifications and past history had gone to rest. It was over a year and a half since I even looked at employment opportunities.

I am still not looking for a new job, not exactly… Instead I have been applying to graduate school. My resume had to be recent for the application process. After two hours spent updating my information, I had one main thought: I need to renew my resume more often!

You may be thinking I said this for obvious reasons – timeliness. However, here are two reasons why we ALL should update our resume frequently:

1) Add new value to your employment summary. Celebrate those significant points.

2) Take action if you have gone months (or worse, years) without adding to your resume.

Add your value; then celebrate it!

When I edited my resume recently, I had a dozen diverse things to add. I’ll admit, the act of updating it was a big confidence booster for me. When I typed in the new workshops I attended and the programs I joined or implemented, I was taken aback.

Did I do all those things in just a year’s time? Yes, I did. I had attained two different training certificates. I joined a two-semester leadership program. I started my own creative arts group. I revamped and enhanced my company’s newsletter. I created a morale-boosting weekly communications to promote employee achievements and personal stories. Now I’m applying to graduate school.

In addition to these employer-related tasks, I added 25 articles to the “Published Works” writing section of my resume. 25? Wow, really?! That may not seem like a huge amount. Yet I only write during evenings or on weekends. In normal business hours, I have a full time position. At home, I have a husband, two daughters and two guinea pigs to manage. Therefore, twenty-five articles I wrote in my spare time and published in less than two years, while not at my day-job, were a revelation for me! I rejoiced. I stood up and performed a happy dance.

These new additions to my resume allowed me the chance to reflect on how far I’ve come in a short amount of time. I achieved more than I realized. I am doing vital work and want to continue that momentum. Through updating my resume more often, I am compelled to seek out more ways to add value to my experience.

Make a plan to strengthen your credentials if needed.

Well that’s all fine, but what if you go to update your resume and see that there is nothing new to add? What if it has been a year (or longer) when you attended no seminars. You have not implemented any pilot programs or innovative practices in your workplace. In fact, you have only carried out the same duties and responsibilities you have always done at work.

Instead of a happy dance, you feel a huge sigh coming on. Perhaps your neck and shoulders are tensing up now.

I’m here to tell you – Do not let that discourage you! Do not let the lack of additions get you down. Instead make a plan. Take action. Think about what you can do to strengthen your credentials in a week, in a month and in the next year.

Ask yourself: What new training opportunities are available to me? From traveling speakers to free online webinars, there will be something out there that fits your job.

Ask yourself: Should I look for a group to join? Yes! See what is out there. There is an association for every trade and position. I know, I used to work for an association and attend association meetings for every known association across the state. They are out there. Find out the closest one and see if it’s a match.

Ask yourself: Can I find a mentor to learn more from? Can I perhaps volunteer for an organization that interests me? Yes and yes! Look around. Talk to others. Conduct research. You will find an opportunity and a person that will help you propel to a new place, learn a new skill level causing you to add a new bullet point to your resume.

Update and Commemorate

Update your resume as often as you can. Track your skills and achievements. Celebrate them. Use your resume as a tool to see your past history, make a current plan and develop a road map into the future.