by Laura Smith Dunaief
Ah, Spring! We just recently performed our annual ritual of moving the clocks forward an hour – a rite I enjoy, despite the lost hour of sleep. Fire departments suggest we use this as a reminder to replace our smoke alarm batteries. It’s also a great time to Spring clean your resume.
Even if you have no thought of changing jobs, this once-a-year habit will keep your resume looking sharp and make the process that much easier if a recruiter or potential new boss does “drop in” unexpectedly.
So, what does Spring cleaning consist of? With your home, it means clearing away the accumulated clutter, airing out the rooms, and buffing the remaining items until they shine. It’s no different with your resume.
Here’s a quick guide to what to look for in your Spring cleaning.
Headers
Start with the obvious, your address. Is it correct? Do you include a cell phone number and email address? If your resume is more than one page, do you include these critical details on the second page, just in case they become separated?
Profile or Summary Section
Take the opportunity to read it with fresh eyes. Is it strong, clear and to the point? When you read it, does it accurately represent you? If this were all someone read, would they have a good feel for your capabilities and what makes you distinct? If not, it may be time for a rewrite.
Professional Experience Section
Start by updating the title and dates of your current role. Or, if it’s been a while since you dusted your resume off, you may need to add your current role.
Within your current role, have you had new successes or have you worked on new projects that you need to include? If so, add them now. You’ll also want to update any results you pointed to in your last version. If you read that you exceeded your annual quota by over 20% in each of the past five years, is that still accurate?
Remember that each item in this section should be results-focused, not just a rehash of your job description. The focus should be on achievement and successes. If an item starts with the dreaded, “Responsible for,” it needs a rewrite.
Each bulleted item (and yes, unless you’re in academics, this is the preferred format) needs to begin with a strong verb or adjective. With verbs, make sure current roles are in the present tense, and past roles are in the past tense. This is particularly important if you’re adding a new role at the top and moving all your roles down one slot.
For older roles, especially those you held more than ten years ago, you may want to dust them off or throw out some of the detail. You’ve gone on to bigger and better things, so don’t dwell on ancient history. If you’re now a manager, will anyone care that you set up a new filing system in your first job as an administrative assistant fifteen years ago?
Before you move on to the next section, take a last read through your Professional Experiences section. Make sure it reads smoothly and that you are showing career progression. Check the visual balance of the section; newer roles should generally have more heft than older roles.
Education and Memberships/Awards Sections
Review each to ensure they’re current. If you’ve been in the workforce for a while, delete your college graduation date. Add new degrees, professional certificates, and awards you’ve received. Then look over your professional memberships – are you now a committee chair or did you organize the annual fundraiser? If so, add the information. On the other hand, delete anything that seems stale, like collegiate volunteer activities.
Final Review
Lastly, take your resume shopping for a new look. Experiment with different professional-looking fonts and layouts for your resume, and find one that projects the appropriate image for your level and industry. Make sure the font size and white space look appealing and are easy to read.
Congratulations! Just as when you finish Spring cleaning your home, you should have a wonderful feeling of accomplishment. I can almost smell the airy freshness.
Laura Smith Dunaief is a principal of LASD Resource Development, which provides individual career coaching and corporate training and development programs.
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