The goal of your resume is to get you an interview. In order to accomplish this task, you may need to consider updating information to contain any new skills, accomplishments, and changes that have occurred since your last update. Today’s job market is extremely competitive. Increase your chance for gaining an interview by keeping your resume fresh.
You might be surprised to discover that one of the most common resume errors occurs in the contact information. If you have not updated your resume recently, verifying your contact information, especially your email address, can make a huge difference in making contact with a hiring agent. Email addresses change with jobs, or moves. Many times people forget to update this information. If you have incorrect data in the contact information, you won’t get the interview. Remember, the interview is your goal.
If your resume contains links to portfolios or other important information, you should verify they work prior to submitting your application. Information that can be accessed via the Web should be added to your resume. If the link will not align with the job qualifications, consider eliminating it from your resume.
Skills, previous positions, and old, outdated information, may be needed to be eliminated from your resume. For instance, the fact that you were editor of your college newspaper may not be relevant any longer if you have spent twenty years as a reporter for the local paper. On the other hand, the class you took learning a new computer program that is being used by the company with the job posting, might be a great thing to add to your resume.
Remember, your goal is to first get the interview, and then the job. Keeping your resume fresh and updated will not only force you to re-evaluate your skills, but will help you keep your information at your fingertips when you do interview.
