CAREER PLANNING

UPDATING YOUR RESUME WITH ERIN WOLFRAM & MELISSA JOHNSON

As we reach mid-2022, updating your resume, likely, is not at the top of your priority list. However, now is the perfect time to reflect on your professional accomplishments from the first half of the year and make updates to your job search documents. How often do you update your resume or take time to think about what you have achieved professionally? For many, the answer to that question may be “Whenever I am applying for a new job.” Often, years go by before someone applies for a different position, and going years without updating or even thinking about your resume can lead to stress, careless errors, and omission of valuable information. You will be thankful when a great career opportunity presents itself and you don’t have to quickly throw together application materials that may not represent you as well as you would like. If at all possible, update your resume at least twice per year. Below are some easy steps you can follow to ensure your resume is always up to date and accurately demonstrates your qualifications.

1. Reflect on your achievements.

First, think about what you accomplished at your job so far this year, and make a comprehensive list of those achievements. Challenge yourself to go beyond your duties and responsibilities. Really think about the impact you made and how you contributed to the success of the organization. In addition to your work achievements, also think about any new professional development or volunteer activities in which you participated.

2. Gather data.

Next, compile any relevant stats or data that demonstrate your success from these accomplishments. For example, if you and your team planned and implemented a successful in-person event, how do you know it was successful? First, consider the goals and objectives you had for the event. Did you accomplish them, and how do you know you did? Next, consider data you have that proves impact. Always try to quantify your achievements when possible. -Did you transition back to an in-person event after hosting online a couple of years? -How many attendees did you have? -What marketing tactics did you use to secure registrations and income and how do you know they were effective?v -How much revenue did you generate from registrations and sponsorships? -What were the high points demonstrated on the post-event survey?

3. Make a list.

Now that you have identified your accomplishments from the past six months, make a list of any new skills you developed, strengths you enhanced, or weaknesses you overcame. Many of us experienced significant changes in our work environment and processes in recent years, so you may find your list of accomplishments, skills, strengths, and activities is longer than usual. At first, this may seem overwhelming, but revisit the list when time allows.

4. Update your resume.

It is now time to start revising your resume to incorporate these new elements. You will want to arrange this information strategically on your document to capture the attention of a prospective employer and make the most significant impact. You might not want to remove any old information until you have a specific job for which you are applying. This may make it easier to implement adjustments that allow you to best represent how you meet the qualifications listed in the position description, as you always want to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific position for which you are applying. When adding content, aim to include action-verb bullet statements that demonstrate achievements, impact, and results.

5. Celebrate and repeat.

Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of your recent professional achievements and have an updated resume showcasing them, take a moment to celebrate and reflect on everything you have accomplished. This is also a great time to consider what you still want to achieve before the end of 2022 to meet your goals and objectives! To make this process even easier in the future, consider keeping a log of your contributions, skills, relevant data, and professional development as you accomplish your goals throughout the year so you can easily make updates. It is important to keep your resume up to date because you never know when an ideal career opportunity may arise. By implementing these steps, you will be ready to tailor your materials and confidently hit “submit.” Here’s to a bright, prosperous, and accomplishment-focused second half of the year!