The job market is tighter than ever before. In fact, the unemployment rate is currently 3.8% and trending downward. Compare that to 10 years ago, when the unemployment rate was 5.7% and you can expect even more difficulty finding a job.
This means you must take control of your own destiny. If you are like most job seekers, you are likely to need to update a resume every three to five years.
While it is true that having the most updated resume is best when you’re searching for a new job, you also shouldn’t wait until your resume becomes completely outdated.
So, when is the best time to update a resume? Any time you make a major life change and/or your resume starts to look outdated.
The Benefits of Updating Your Resume
Taking the time to update your resume comes with a lot of benefits. The next time you want to ask for a promotion or raise, you’ll have all your qualifications and reasons laid out in one spot.
It will be easy to prove to your boss why you are deserving of the job. Having your most updated resume posted online is an easy way to catch recruiters’ attention. You never know when someone will see it and what opportunities may come from it.
Tips for Refreshing
When you’re refreshing your resume, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. If it’s been a while since you’ve made changes, be sure your contact information is correct.
Always make sure that there are no typos, either. You should also include your most recent accomplishments, even if they seem small to you.
When it’s time to update a resume, be sure to include your most recent job. What were your responsibilities and what skills did you process that made you valuable?
When to Make Minor and Major Updates
Learning resume writing can take some time, so don’t rush it. Your potential employers will notice if you just throw your resume together without a thought.
Minor changes should be made more frequently. If you’ve learned more job skills or taken on more responsibilities, take a few minutes to add them to your current resume.
Major changes will come if you change careers or if you have a job in your work history. Updating your resume doesn’t have to be difficult if you take the time to do it frequently.
Update Resume
Ready for a job hunt, we hope this article helps you understand more about the etiquette around writing your own resume.
It can be awkward to think about self-promotion at the best of times, especially when your resume isn’t up to date. Even if you’re weathering the cold period, it’s still important to put your best foot forward and update a resume along the way.
For more career and business advice, keep browsing our site. We have more articles that will help you as you progress.