Update Your Resume, Even if You’re Not Looking For a Job
You're not really looking for a job right now, and with all of the other things on your to-do list, updating your resume isn't top priority.
But what would you do if the perfect opportunity popped up today? Would you be ready? Would you have anything to show for the experience you've gained?
I found myself in this situation recently, when I received a message through PROpen Mic from Phil Gomes (check out his Ask Phil videos on the site) about a position on the Edelman Digital Integration Team. I was not about let this opportunity pass.
I was able to swing the LinkedIn profile for a little while, but ultimately I had to scramble to take that information and update my good-old-fashioned one-page resume (I did end up getting the job, and it has been fantastic so far).
So if you found out the perfect job position at this very moment, what would you do? If you're a creative type, is your portfolio updated? Do you have a website to show off your work and voice? Do you have your resume updated, not only on LinkedIn, but also as a formatted document?
If not, I suggest you schedule some time to work on these things.
Luke walker
Always good advice. I know I have always prided myself on my ability to be able to send out a resume and demo package within 5 minutes of spotting a job opening that interested me.
Always be prepared!
Doesn’t hurt to reach out for advice and feedback from someone in your current or desired industry either. =)
Allie Osmar
Definitely. Not only does it help to get feedback from someone who is already there, but it can also help to get your resume directly in front of people in your company of interest rather than submitting anonymously.
Kevin Saghy
Inevitably, you’ll leave something important out in the haste of updating your resume quickly. I try to take a look at mine on a quarterly basis, which has paid off. Employers aren’t the only people who request resumes—award programs may request a copy, friends may ask to see an example resume to base theirs from, etc.
Jay Edwards
Good career management requires a constantly up-to-date resume. I teach this to my clients . . . with varied results.