Six Questions to Consider RE: “International Update Your Resume Month”

I belong to several excellent professional associations, Including Career Directors International (CDI), which has designated September as "Update Your Resume Month."

The fall is one of the seasons of the year that is traditionally associated with self-evaluation, work-life management, and change resolutions. This is a great time to seize the opportunity to manage your career and life situation: to be proactive rather than defensive, especially in the face of challenging economic times.

Many people call, asking that I tweak their resume; in most cases, a more complete revision is needed. What are some of the factors you should consider when considering how to proceed?  Remember – the resume is a marketing tool that speaks for you when you aren't there…

1. Does your resume make a convincing case for where you want to go – in the future?
2. Do you use industry-specific keywords?  Do you use terminology that helps to make a transition?
3. Is your resume more than 2-pages long?  How dense is your text?  Is your writing style clear, concise, and compelling?
4. Does your resume describe job duties or success stories?  Does the text of your resume support your "brand" or "your SSP (special selling points)"?
5. Is your resume relevant?  Do you emphasize quantifiable and recent accomplishments; those that are relevant to your future goals?
6. Is your resume an effective marketing tool?  Never lie, and never market yourself in a cheesy or over-the-top manner… Know yourself: plan your campaign strategically; tell your story with understated enthusiasm, in writing and in-person.

See the archives of this blog for other posts on resume-writing; see CAN's tips to "Avoid the Round File" (Download 0405-TRIBUNE_EDITED_E-MAIL.pdf); see books by Enelow and Kursmark for current samples, including those by this writer.