Is Your Resume Ready?

Believe it or not, opportunities knock when we least expect them, even in our existing economy. I can attest to the fact that there are positions that I've held which I've never applied for! Recruiters have viewed my resume online and contacted me (which is how my career in banking started). I have assisted clients in my career as a retail store manager; only to receive a phone call a few days later from a hiring manager to see if I was interested in other employment opportunities. I share these instances with you to make you aware of the fact that your resume should always be ready. In your current role, there is a great chance that you are doing more than your job description states. The question is: "Does your current resume reflect this information?" If your goal is to be successful; being prepared, being proactive will help you attain your goal. Your resume, at the bare minimum, should:

1. Have your current job information-you can utilize your job description to detail what your responsibilities are. As your responsibilities increase, your resume should reflect the additional duties.

2. Be attractive-your resume speaks for you and it should represent you well. If you are interested in applying for another role, recruiters are overwhelmed with the number of applicants they are currently receiving. Your resume should be both attractive and professional.

3. Exist in multiple versions-you can have more than one resume and I recommend that you do. So many candidates have one resume and they use it to apply for multiple jobs in different fields. This is one of the most common mistakes that I see with job seekers. If you are applying for an administrative role with a customer service resume, chances are, you will not be contacted for an interview. Your resume should inform recruiters and hiring managers that you have exceptional skills/experience in the field that you are seeking.

4. Contain "buzz words"-which are considered powerful language in the wonderful world of resumes. These words give your resume a lift and give you an advantage over other candidates. When you get a moment, Google "resume buzz words" and adjust your resume as needed.

Reviewing your resume on a regular basis will give you the discipline needed to keep your resume updated. I never seemed to have the time to update my resume at work because I was always busy. Then it happened. I was recruited for a promising opportunity, scheduled for an interview, and had to edit my resume with very little time to spare. From that experience, I realized that I had to make my resume an ongoing priority, even if I needed to update my information outside of work. Remember that your resume opens the door for your next opportunity. If your resume isn't ready, more than likely, you aren't either. In order to see the next level of your career, you should anticipate someone contacting you about another opportunity. If you are willing to invest in the steps shared in this article, I am certain that you as well as your resume will be ready when opportunity knocks.