You’ve decided it’s time to update your resume. Maybe you are in a new role. Maybe you are ready to start a search for a new job. Or maybe, you just want to be ready if a recruiter reaches out. Either way, I am glad you have found this article. It’s a good idea to update your resume on a regular basis.
When I help people with their job search, most people have a tough time updating their resume. Not everyone is a strong writer. People procrastinate or simply write the bare minimum. The good news is that AI can be your hero and can carry a heavy load. Combine that with you doing your own introspection and homework and your resume may literally start to write itself!
Before we get to AI, you have some work to do. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you refresh and rework your current resume and put your best foot forward.
17 Ideas: How to Update Your Resume
1. Channel Your Self-Confidence
Before diving into the specifics, it’s essential to approach this process with confidence. Your resume is a reflection of your professional journey and work experience in just a couple of pages. Believe in your skills and qualifications, and let that self-assurance shine through in your writing. Now is the time to brag and take ownership of your accomplishments. Maybe even strike the superhero pose like Dr. Amelia Shepherd did in Grey’s Anatomy!
2. Find Your Original Job Description
Start by locating the original job description for your current or most recent role. This document serves as a baseline for your responsibilities and can help you ensure that you’re not missing any key duties or skills that were initially expected of you. In some cases, you can use the same bullet points from the job description in your resume. This should also help trigger your memory about past tasks or projects.
3. List Out Your Primary Responsibilities
Next, list out your primary responsibilities. These are the core tasks you perform regularly. Think about your role when you first started. And think about how you may have grown and taken on new responsibilities.
Update these bullet points to reflect any changes or expansions in your role, especially if you have been in the same, long-term job. This information will likely make up the majority of your bullet points for your current role.
4. Brainstorm Special Projects and Tasks
Think about any special projects or tasks you’ve undertaken that go beyond your standard duties. Were you on a cross-department committee for employee feedback? Did you participate in special brainstorming sessions for new products or product names? Did you volunteer to be part of a team focused on improved productivity or innovation? Did you make the business case to create an internship program for your department? Did you create a new process during Covid?
These projects can demonstrate initiative, teamwork, and the ability to handle more complex or diverse responsibilities, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.
Think about the unique aspects of your job. I recently helped a college student update their resume with a campus mail delivery job. They were responsible for delivering frozen mice and live crickets to the biology lab so we crafted a very interesting bullet point for their resume. It demonstates the importance of timely and efficient deliveries and will make an interesting interview response!
5. Revisit Your Old Performance Reviews
Performance reviews are gold mines for resume updates. They provide feedback on your strengths and accomplishments from your boss’s perspective. They may also remind you of forgotten successes or special achievements. Look for recurring themes mentioned by your supervisors and incorporate them into your resume, cover letter, or in your answer to the question “Tell me about yourself.”
6. What Software or Technology Have You Used?
Technology skills are increasingly important in today’s job market. Most jobs require the use of some sort of software program. Even my HVAC company’s service people carry tablets with software that tracks maintenance tasks, work performed, and billing information.
Update your resume to include any software or proprietary technology you’ve used. This can range from industry-specific tools to general office software, highlighting your technical proficiency. Think about order-entry systems, project management tools, content management systems, accounting software, sales enablement tools, etc.
7. Add New Certifications, Training, or Education
You can include new certifications, training courses, hard skills, or educational achievements on your resume. These additions enhance your qualifications and show your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Did you take night classes to earn a new degree? This demonstrates your ambition, drive, and ability to manage a heavy workload.
Did you teach yourself Canva so you could create social media graphics for your current employer? This shows a higher level of self-motivation that hiring managers will find appealing.
Did you earn a certification through an industry organization? Be sure to add this to your LinkedIn profile as well.
8. Awards and Recognition
If you’ve received any awards or recognition, don’t be modest about it. (Remember at the beginning when I told you now is the time to brag?) Many companies offer reward and recognition programs for employees. Including these accolades can set you apart from other candidates by showcasing your excellence and the acknowledgment of your peers, supervisors, customers, and industry associations.
Awards and recognition might include:
Customer Care Award
Team Player
Safety Awards
Leadership Recognition
9. Find Metrics Related to Your Work
Quantifying your accomplishments with metrics provides concrete evidence of your impact. Whether it’s sales figures, efficiency improvements, or project completions, numbers can make your contributions more compelling and tangible to potential employers.
10. Think About the Change You Have Experienced
Reflect on how things have changed around you and how you may have had to adapt to that change.
Change in boss/leadership. Did a new boss mentor you to help you gain new skills? Did you have to help train them?
Company merger or acquisition. Did your company go through a merger or acquisition that required you to learn a new way of doing things or a new software program?
Change in coworkers. Are you the long-term employee who trains new hires?
Change in the company’s offering. Did your company launch a new product or service that affected your role?
Change from a crisis like Covid. Did your company create new processes during the pandemic that affected your responsibilities?
11. Google Your Job Description
Searching for your own job title or description online can offer insights into how your role is perceived across different organizations. This can also give you inspiration on how to articulate the bullet points for your job on your resume.
12. Google Your Title to See Job Postings
Similarly, look up job postings for your current title. This research can reveal trends and expectations in your industry, helping you tailor your resume with relevant skills to align with what employers are currently seeking.
13. What Makes You Different or Better?
Now that you are adding a new job to your resume, how does that change your story? Identify what sets you apart from other similar candidates. It could be a unique combination of skills, an innovative approach to problem-solving, or exceptional performance in a particular area.
Highlight these differentiators in your professional summary, in your cover letter, and in your “Tell me about yourself” response.
14. Include Keywords for Your Desired Position
Incorporate keywords from job listings of the roles you’re targeting. Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes, so using the right keywords can increase the chances of your resume getting into the “yes” pile. Using an AI tool can also help you identify the right resume keywords for your current position.
15. Use Action Words
Every article you read about writing resumes will give you this same advice. Use an action verb at the beginning of each bullet, if you can. Action words like led, coordinate, developed, initiated, and achieved add power to your resume. They convey your contributions and, make your resume more impactful and persuasive.
16. Write a New, Updated Professional Summary
Your summary is the first thing a recruiter or hiring manager sees, so make sure it’s current and compelling. Craft a brief summary that encapsulates your experience, soft skills, personality, and career goals, tailored to the roles you’re aiming for. Again, this is why you need to think about what makes you different and better than the other candidates. And spend time working on your answer to ‘Tell me about yourself.”
17. Use AI
This may be one of the most important tips and it may take some practice. Explore the different AI writing tools and experiment with different types of prompts. AI results are only as good as your prompts. So, taking the time to think through the first 16 ideas above will ensure your prompts are unique and stand out.
AI can rewrite your resume and recommend additional bullet points and call out relevant experience. Don’t just focus on the new job you are adding. Try having AI rewrite your bullet points for your old positions too.
You can also compare your resume to a job posting and ask the AI to rewrite your resume to better match the job and present you as the ideal candidate.
AI can provide suggestions for improvement, help you optimize keywords, and even format your resume to make it more visually appealing and ATS-friendly.
You are already competing with people who have used AI for their resumes. Give yourself the same advantage! I have just begun tinkering with AI to help people with their resumes and it’s a game changer! But you have to learn how to write the prompts to tell your unique story.
Bonus Tactical Tips
Check your contact information. Do you have a new phone number? Are you still using your first email you created as a kid? If so, it’s time to create a new professional email address.
Proof your resume. Check out this article 12 Ways to Proofread Your Resume.
Edit your file name. Include your name in the file name. Eg. J.Aniston.Resume.2024.pdf. Imagine your future employers receiving hundreds of applications and everyone saves their resume as “Resume.pdf.” You don’t want to be lost in the process, just because of your file name!
Update your LinkedIn Profile. Once you revise your resume, don’t forget to transfer that information to your LinkedIn Profile so recruiters have a better chance of finding you.
By following these steps, you can create a polished, updated resume that effectively highlights your qualifications and positions you as a strong candidate. A well-crafted resume can also help build your confidence when you take the time to think through all of your accomplishments! Good luck!
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