4 Big Reasons You Need a Résumé Overhaul

I recently completed a rush project for a client and I can tell you definitively that he regretted not having revamped his résumé sooner.  My team worked a lot of overtime to create a stellar document. During the process, the client was nerve-racked; he was worried that we would run out of time for him to submit his résumé for a great opportunity. Had he updated his résumé sooner, he would have been able to appreciate the process. Sadly, this is an all too common story.  

Smart professionals plan ahead and make a habit of keeping professional documents updated. Here are a few big reasons why you should take the time now to consider an overhaul. 

1. You haven’t done an update in a while: If you have changed jobs, or it has been a while since your last update, now is the time to take action. Don’t wait until you are under the gun to add new content.  You never know when you could be contacted about a role that requires you to quickly submit your career documents. When you snooze, you lose.
2. Your résumé is physically unappealing: Don’t neglect to consider the importance of an aesthetically pleasing document.  While content is KING, having a career document that is visually attractive will help you get noticed. A résumé that looks sloppy is not likely to yield nearly as many interviews. Numerous clients have told me that hiring managers frequently give them positive feedback about the visual appeal of their résumé. Appearance matters.
   
3. Your résumé has an objective: If you are still using an objective and you are missing a powerful headline / branding statement, your résumé needs some sprucing up.  A high impact summary statement should replace your objective. The reason: objectives are focused on you, and generally provide meaningless information, whereas a summary statement allows you to give an overview of your strengths and highlight the value you would bring to the company.
4. You used the first person throughout your résumé.  For a cover letter, using personal pronouns like I, me, and my, is perfectly acceptable. This same rule does not apply to your résumé. A well written résumé should make appropriate use of verbs and statements that deliver strong results. The strong content and results, without the use of the first person, will serve to engage and ‘hook’ the reader.

Your proactive approach will ensure that you are ready to pursue new opportunities at a moment’s notice. A results-focused, well-formatted résumé takes time to create – whether you go it alone or hire a professional. It makes sense to be prepared, even if you are content and secure in your current role. You never know when opportunity will knock!