Clean Up Your Resume in Time for Spring

Tips to Declutter and Update This Important Business Document

Mar 9, 2009 Paym Bergson

Don't forget about your resume when spring cleaning your office and computer. These simple tips will help you create a more focused resume to help you get that job!

So often people neglect to update and refresh their resumes when cleaning up office areas or spring cleaning computers. Take the same time and effort you use to spring clean your computer and work area to declutter your resume. It's time to refocus this important business document to reflect your talents and abilities in the best possible way.

One Resume is Not Enough

Your job, or previous jobs, were never the same. So why should your resume be the same for all potential jobs? It shouldn't. For each area, department, or different occupation you should have a different resume – one that highlights your talents to that specific profession.

Also, if you find you are often told you are too experienced or "you would be bored at this job" – consider the option of not mentioning all of your experience. This is not lying; but tailoring to bypass the initial screener/interviewer and get your foot in the door. As you grow with the company, you can always add in your previous experience, with the explanation you knew you'd be an asset to the company and so just listed pertinent experience rather than clutter the resume with other talents. Obviously, this should only be used once you are firmly ensconced in your new company. Be forewarned though: if you do reveal later on your "extra experience" – you may find that some employers still view this as a discrepancy.

Proven Achievements

In today's marketplace you need an edge – so consider adding in a section of achievements that benefitted previous employers. This could also be called Proven Skills or even Transferrable Skills. The main idea is to briefly point out what you have accomplished in a positive light that could be used or transferred to the new company.

This section should be right on the first page – preferably right after Objectives, or right after your personal contact information (which should be in the Header of the page anyway). Yes, this can include any volunteer work as well, as long as it is something than just "performed the necessary duties". This is a section to highlight your potential worth to the potential company and why. This also tightens the focus of your resume to highlight your potential worth as well as your proven experience.

Consider a New Design/Set Up for Your Resume

If you only have used the Reverse Chronological format, consider another style or hybrid. If you lack paid experience, promote your abilities proven through volunteer work or school. Try using a Functional style, where your proven skills are more prominent than your listed jobs. Many people like to use a Hybrid, which is what you are doing when you add in a section for Proven Achievements.

If you prefer to keep the style the same, be it Reverse Chronological, Functional or Hybrid, consider changing the set up. Freshen up the look of your resume. Perhaps more margin space, or less. Change the font of titles, or add in small graphic lines. Just remember to still keep it clean and crisp – the emphasis should still be on the information.

Spring clean your resume! Have more than one resume – each highlights a particular industry you want to apply. Add in a section showcasing your talents and abilities that can be applied or transferred to other companies. Freshen up the way your Rresume looks by changing the layout or the style.

The copyright of the article Clean Up Your Resume in Time for Spring in Career Advice is owned by Paym Bergson. Permission to republish Clean Up Your Resume in Time for Spring in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Let Your Resume Sing!

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