January 07, 2014
The New Year is the perfect opportunity to take a look at your IT resume and make some much needed updates! You should always keep your resume up-to-date, whether you’re currently looking for a new position or not. That way you’re ready to use it if you need to and it’s a great way to reflect on where you’re at in your professional life. And what better time to reflect than at the New Year?!
Add It Up
Making sure your recent work experience is on your resume is a no-brainer. But make sure to also add any new skills you’ve learned, certifications you’ve received or are working towards, projects you played a substantial role in, etc.
Slim Down
No, I’m not talking about your New Year resolution! A mistake many people make when updating their resume is to simply add any work experience they’ve had since the last update. Adding it up is a step in the right direction, but you also need to cut out any experience that’s irrelevant. It’s 2014! Being an expert on (insert outdated technology HERE) means nothing in today’s IT job market. Clear out the clutter to make room for what matters most.
Proofread
Spelling and grammatical errors are major red flags for hiring managers; so you should double check everything before you send it off. When you rush to finish writing your resume it’s easy to make simple mistakes, like having an extra bullet point or misusing affect/effect.
Play the Match Game
LinkedIn profile and resume don’t match? That’s a problem. Don’t have a LinkedIn profile? That’s an even BIGGER problem. Your LinkedIn profile is your online, socially connected resume. That’s not to say your LinkedIn profile should be word-for-word exactly the same as your resume, but the two definitely need to be cohesive and tell the same story.
Evaluate
Put your resume out there and assess the feedback. Are you getting any responses? If so, what kind? No responses obviously mean there’s something lacking. Maybe the format isn’t catching anyone’s attention? Responses for positions that are way out of the ball park of what you’re looking for aren’t ideal either; it means your resume doesn’t clearly show your career story and your professional objectives. Ask your colleagues, family, and friends to take a look at your updated resume and ask how you can improve it.
Remember, you should have a more ‘generic’ resume on file that you can use in a pinch; but should take the time to tailor it for each position you apply for to make the most impact!
What are your tips for updating your resume in the New Year? Let us know in the comments, or on Twitter (@York_Solutions) using #NewYearNewCareer!
Posted By: Sarah Brown