Updating an Outdated Resume

If you haven't updated your resume in years, you're probably wondering where to start. There have been changes in how resumes are created and submitted. Follow these six steps to transform your dusty resume into a highly effective personalized marketing tool that will help you stand out in interviews, especially in today's competitive job market.

1. Define Your Objective
Before you start refreshing your old resume, you need to clearly define your work objective. Without a clear idea of your career direction, your resume will be ineffective for potential employers. If you have multiple interests, it's better to create different versions of your resume rather than trying to create one all-encompassing document.
Having trouble identifying your objective? Start by doing some self-assessment exercises or consult a career counselor.

2. Research Your Objective
Thoroughly research your job objective before writing the first draft of your resume, especially if you haven't been in the job market for a while. Talk to people in your target industry and check out relevant job postings on Monster.ca to get a good idea of the qualifications employers are looking for. If you're changing careers, your research might lead you to enroll in continuing education courses to acquire new skills.


3. Develop Your Profile/Objective
Now you can start writing your resume. If you're changing careers, you'll need to create a well-defined objective as the introduction to your resume. Don't expect busy recruiters to figure out what you want to do. Use this section to describe the key skills from your previous career that can be used in relation to your new job objective. Focus on the help you can provide to the company, rather than what you are looking for in a job.

Here is an example of an old and new objective:
Old: Seeking an interesting position within a forward-thinking company offering growth and advancement opportunities.
New: Dynamic speaker/presenter with advanced technical knowledge, seeking to leverage my award-winning computer instructor strengths in an entry-level software sales position.

If you're looking for a new position in your current field, use the "Objective" section of Monster's Resume Builder function to write a compelling profile summary. This is the perfect place to write a few impactful sentences highlighting your extensive experience and the added value you bring to a potential employer.


4. Focus on Your Achievements
To be competitive in today's job market and maximize interview invitations, your resume must highlight your past achievements. Avoid simply rehashing boring job descriptions. Instead, detail the results of your efforts.

If you were a hiring manager, which description would you prefer?
Before: Responsible for troubleshooting and maintaining workstations and systems.
After: Improved system uptime from 91% to 99.9% for 350 in-house and remote users through specialized multi-platform (Windows NT/UNIX) troubleshooting/maintenance.

For each position you've held, use action verbs to explain your contribution to your employers, for example: reduced costs, generated revenue, improved service, improved processes, solved problems, or saved time. Use numbers, percentages, amounts, comparisons, or other important details to support your claims. But be careful: don't cite facts that disclose proprietary or confidential company information.


5. Include "Keywords" and Make Your Resume Scannable
Today, many employers review your resume electronically. They want you to send them your resume in a way that a computer can easily read and sort it.

Avoid using flashy fonts or complex layouts. If you're not confident in your design skills, ask a resume writer for help. Alternatively, you can find ideas among our many resume samples.

Also, make sure your updated resume includes several relevant keywords. Look for words, phrases, and titles that consistently appear in the job postings you're applying for. If you notice frequently used terms, make sure they appear in your resume as much as possible.


6. Proofread and Test
Your resume must be perfect. Carefully proofread it for any errors in grammar, punctuation, and usage. If you're changing careers, consult recruiters in your target field for their valuable opinion on how your resume stands out from the others. Once your resume is complete, post it on Monster.ca where it will be accessible to thousands of employers and apply with confidence.

Karen Hofferber and Mark Swartz

Monster.ca

See also:Should you update your resume?