Think of updating your resume like going to the dentist. It can sometimes be a painful process, but in the end, you’re better off with those regularly scheduled appointments and cleanings.
Keeping your resume updated is a process you should get yourself into. By getting into the practice of regularly updating your resume, you are sure to keep it updated with all the recent skills, tools, training, and certifications you have obtained over the past several months.
Putting a reminder on your calendar at the end of each quarter will ensure you are getting into best practice of keeping your resume updated with your most recent accomplishments.
Having an updated resume also ensures you have positioned yourself to hit the pavement today if you are unfortunately laid off or let go in your current employment. Many people lose valuable time, days, and weeks just getting their resume updated or created when they lose their jobs. Don’t be one of those people.
An updated resume also makes you very marketable in the job marketplace. After all, you never know when you might find yourself face-to-face with a prospective employer. You don’t want to be caught in a position where you need to spend precious time updating your resume, or worse, having to create a new resume from scratch because it has been years since you actually updated it. That potential job opportunity will be lost by the time you get your act together.
Whatever updates you are making to your resume, be sure to update on LinkedIn too. LinkedIn is your electronic resume. It’s a professional networking website where prospective employers are searching for their next crop of A+ employees. Don’t lose a potential email or phone call from a recruiter or hiring manager because you have inadequate or outdated information on your LinkedIn profile. Treat LinkedIn just as you would your resume.
Keeping ahead of the curve with your resume and LinkedIn profile will help you stay ahead of your career and ensure you are able to hit the proverbial pavement immediately if you lose your job tomorrow.
Don’t be left behind in the job market. Keep your resume and LinkedIn profile up to date.
Onward 