Revamping your CV: how to make your Resume stand the test of time

You have positioned yourself well since graduating high school. You got solid grades in college, scored the internship of your dreams, and gleaned enough experience to create a masterpiece: your resume. As the years have passed and jobs have come and gone, you’ve continued adding to the original document, bringing it to its current state. Which, if we’re being honest, may not be as impressive as it once was.

Yes, the original resume you wrote years ago was a perfect reflection of what made you awesome — back then. And while your resume may still accurately reflect your professional story, that may not be enough to set you apart from other applicants.

It can be tempting to treat a resume like a monument, but the fact is that they are not meant to stand the test of time. We should treat our resumes like we do our homes — every couple of years, a new coat of paint will go a long way.

Wondering where to begin revamping your resume? You’re in luck — I’m going to tell you how to take your tired resume and fall in love again all over again.

Highlight Your Career Successes

It’s very important to review keywords and make sure they match the targeted position.

However, even more important is to share specific career achievements and what impact they had on the company. For example, you may have increased sales by 30 percent, reduced turnover rate, or increased customer satisfaction. Provide numbers with examples, as this gives recruiters a better understanding of what you can accomplish and why you would make such a huge impact to the organization.

Position Your Personal Brand

With so much competition in the marketplace, it’s more important than ever to figure out what sets you apart from the competition. Take a look at your peers and find what makes you a better candidate. What added value can you bring that no other candidate can?

Once you have defined this, you will need to showcase this in your resume. You will also need to know your target market and what type of candidates they are looking for. Focus on specific keywords in the job listings, and tailor your personal brand’s content around these specific words and phrases.

Skip the Objective Statement

To be blunt, the objective statement is a huge waste of time and real estate on your resume. Companies aren’t interested in what they can do for you. They want to know what you can do for them.

Keep the Content Interesting

Avoid writing another dull resume that looks just like everyone else’s. You have done the research, and now it’s time to showcase your brand!

Use phrases that set your resume apart from the others. If you’re having a hard time coming up with phrases, you can always hire a professional resume writer or find a list online for ideas.

Keep It Current and Relevant

As you’re reviewing your resume and making sure it’s a piece you truly love, make sure that you have added any new skills or certifications you might have obtained since you last updated.

Also remember to remove skills that are no longer relevant and keep the focus on your most recent work — less important is work you did 10 years ago, unless it’s pertinent to a field you’re trying to hone in on.

Proofread

Lastly, make sure that your spelling and grammar are on par and free of errors.

Otherwise, all of the time you just spent creating your masterpiece is time wasted. This sounds obvious, but you’d be shocked at the amount of mistake-ridden resumes I’ve run across over the years.

While recycling what was once perfection would be easier, it’s truly worthwhile to start from scratch every now and then when it comes to your resume. If you follow these simple steps, you’re sure to rediscover that special place in your heart where your resume once resided.

Michelle Kruse has more than 10 years of hiring and recruiting experience and a background in coaching and leadership development. At ResumeEdge, Michelle recruits and hires résumé writers, provides training and ongoing support, manages strategic partnerships and serves as a subject matter expert on the job search process.

source: techgig.com