Writing and updating your resume is one of those things that’s easy to put off. It’s not a job we look forward to. Often, we let our resume sit around gathering cobwebs, forgetting that at some point we might need it quickly. Yet when you need your resume, you often need it right away. So, it’s a good idea to maintain it, to stay ready for a new opportunity or an unexpected situation.
In a recent poll that we ran on LinkedIn, we asked how many people maintain their resume and actively keep it up to date.
It was great to see that most people do in fact maintain a current resume and we at DMCG Global believe this is the best approach to take, a positive thing to do for your career.
“In today’s world, your resume should be more of a living document. Update it with accomplishments when they come to fruition.” – Poll Respondent
In today's job market having an up-to-date and ready to go resume is somewhat essential. Highlighting accomplishments is important. Make sure to include any awards, certifications, or other new achievements since your last update. Keep it current and relevant to help you stand out from the competition and increase your chances of getting hired.
You may not even need it to apply for a brand-new role, it may be an opportunity to speak, present, a shorter-term project that requires expertise that you hold, a performance review or a promotion opportunity. Having a ready to go resume that reflects your relevant skills will be of great help when opportunities arise.
An updated resume will help you stay organized and ensure that you have ready access to your qualifications for any potential employers – allowing you to apply for jobs quickly should they become available or should something unexpected happen. Giving you that important edge.
To ensure that your resume reflects the latest changes in your career, here are five top tips to make sure it stands out from the competition:
1. Keep The Formatting Clean: Keep your resume clean and simple. Simplify the format to make it quick and easy for recruiters and hiring managers to read. You don’t need multiple fonts, logos, or other distractions. This also applies to the wording, avoid using too much jargon, make your resume more accessible to the reader.
51% of DMCG Global poll respondents noted that they too aim to keep their resume as simple as possible.
2. Update Your Contact Information: Check that all of the contact information on your resume is up-to-date and accurate. This includes phone numbers, email addresses, and social media profiles if applicable.
3. Highlight Your Achievements: Take time to update your resume to include any awards, certifications, or other accomplishments that you have completed since you last updated it. Make sure it is an accurate reflection of your skills and experience.
4. Include Relevant Skills: Make sure that the skills listed on your resume are relevant to the job you are applying for and reflect any new skills or knowledge that you have acquired since the last update.
5. Don’t Squeeze It All In! It’s okay to have a resume that is more than one page in length.
In our recent LinkedIn Poll 52% of people said their resume is 1-2 pages long.
It’s a bit of a myth that a resume must only be one page. If you need a little more space to accurately share your skills and experience, then two pages is absolutely fine.
TRANSFORM YOUR CAREER WITH DMCG GLOBAL
DMCG Global helps to quickly connect digital, tech, creative, marketing and accountancy and finance talent with some of the best agencies and brands anywhere on the planet. Our team of expert consultants have the industry knowledge and expertise to help you make smarter choices and reach your goals. If you’d like to elevate your job search and open up your opportunities on a global scale, get in touch with a member of the team, we’d love to hear more about you!
