5 Reasons to Update Your Resume -- Even If You Aren't Actively Looking!
As we begin to turn in our summer beach shorts and bikinis for fall blazers and shoes, I have probably been asked to review and update more than a dozen resumes in the last 30 days. And I applaud these folks for thinking ahead. Fall is a time of change, and not only for nature. Companies see many promotions, retirements, and turnovers. The fiscal year enters a new (and for some businesses it’s first) quarter, and the kids are back to school. Needless to say, these changes are among many that effect career-driven professionals. As this is a hot topic at the moment, I wanted to throw out 5 good reasons your resume may need an update. This isn't a long post. Whether you are happily employed in your dream, long-term position, or on your way out and looking for something new, a polished resume is always valuable to you and your personal brand.
Read on for 5 more reasons to update your resume today!
1. Opportunity May Present Itself – Without Warning
Who’s to say a better opportunity won’t come along? Maybe your boss decides he’s ready to call it quits and leave your company. Maybe your sister, who works in your industry, suddenly leaves town (and her bigger salary) and her company needs to replace her. Maybe you’re at happy hour one night, and you meet the CEO of that great firm downtown, by chance, and they have the perfect opportunity for you. How great would it be to already have your resume, ready to go? Livecareer.com says is this way, “if someone presents you with an unexpected doorway into an amazing new world, you’ll want to be ready.” Keep in mind, it doesn’t matter when they say to have it to them by, they really want it sooner. Stay ready, so you never have to get ready.
2. Even YOU Have a Fact Sheet
You may be so modest that you forget how awesome you are. Or, you may be so experienced you can hardly remember every experience. Your resume isn’t just about getting a new job. It’s your history. It’s your work life in print. It’s how we – employers, businesses, colleagues – can see who you are and what you can do. Keep your fact sheet current, and be sure it gives the most vivid and appealing picture of you possible. And remember, you not looking for a job doesn’t mean no one is looking for you. You may be the key someone needs to make their operation complete. And they may be able to compensate you for it to your worth. Stay ready, so you never have to get ready.
3. Change Comes
You love your job. You love your job today. Will you love your job next week, should your management change? Or when your job description changes? Or when your work location changes? Or when they place a limit on your PTO days and how you can use them? Or when they take away your VIP parking? Or maybe you’ve just decided you’re too colorful for an office and you want to try something – anything—else. Have your resume ready and handy so you can move with the flow. Remember, stay ready, so you never have to get ready.
4. Manic Panic
Today you’re calm. You’re content. You do not NEED to hustle information together for someone who could hire you and save your life and try to remember everything and try to make sure the computer is working right and try to make sure you can get the right version saved to the right disk to take it to Office Max and get it printed and be sure you print enough copies and then you remember you forgot to mention you did accounting at that one job in 2003 and you need it because this is an accounting position and then you have to do it all over again. Reminds me of a job fair I was late to in college, because I was unprepared. It was the most frustrating experience of my college life – that week. But, I digress. Keep in mind, panic throws off focus. Lack of focus is simultaneous with lack of quality in the result. It’s simple. Stay ready, so you never have to get ready.
5. The Future is Uncertain
You may believe your job is completely secure. The sad reality: this is not true. You may even believe your company cannot survive without you. Or they would never think to lay you or your department off. But, the truth is, they can. Jobs are not “eternal”, even for top-level executives. And there is no worst feeling than walking into work on Monday, thinking everything is ok, and then walking out Tuesday with a box of your belongings. It happens outside of our control and it’s something we want to be prepared for. Remember, stay ready, so you never have to get ready.