Is My Resume Outdated? Three Checkpoints

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Is My Resume Outdated? Three Checkpoints

I have been writing resumes off and on for over 30 years. During that time, I have seen many changes. Today's professionally written resumes are job marketing documents that are highly crafted. They are written using principles of marketing and professional writing and include information that meets the needs of prospective employers. Have you wondered, "Is my resume outdated?"

If you have not updated your resume in more than 5, 10, 20, 30 years - trust me, it likely needs a radical overhaul. Every week, I see a resume that contains information that is irrelevant, outdated, or a total waste of valuable resume real estate space. This is part one of a four-part series that tackles the myths and faux pas of resume writing for today's technologically advanced job market.

Myth 1: The purpose of a resume is to get you a job.

This is clearly untrue. The purpose of a resume is to get you an INTERVIEW! Your resume must provide the information that prospective employers want to see because you only have 10 to 30 seconds to grab their attention. You must get this information across quickly and with dynamic phrasing that grabs their attention, and gives them the desire to read more and to call you to schedule an interview.

Myth 2: Always include all of your education the more you know the better.

This is "false". Everything that you put on a resume should be relevant to the specific job for which you want to apply. If you graduated from high school or college Magna Cum Laude 15+ years ago, no one cares. If you took a college level floral arranging course but are applying for an accounting job with a publishing company; that information is irrelevant. However, if you are applying for a position as an accountant in a floral business, it may be a good thing to include. That decision would depend on what other relevant information you have that could be incorporated into your resume.

Myth 3: Never put an objective statement on your resume.

The answer to this myth could be true and false, it all depends on what you mean by an "objective statement". All resumes should have an objective, a purpose or target tied to a specific job title such as; receptionist, sales manager or dental hygienist. This objective or target should be prominently positioned near the top of the resume where it is clearly visible and clearly states the job title you are applying for such as; Receptionist | Administrative Assistant.

However, if you are using one of the tired, old, self-centered objective statements that were popular in the eighties-it's got to GO! Phrases similar to the following example are what I referred to, above.

"I am seeking a position that will utilize my skills and experience in a position that will give me the opportunity to grow and develop within a stable company."

Prospective employers do not want to know what you want in a job; they want to know if what you have to offer will make their business better, make them more money or save them money.

To get the best result, a request for an interview, you need to have a focused resume with a clear job target right at the top of the resume. Remember, prospective employers are only interested in what you can do for them.

If your resume clearly communicates what you can do for them - you will get interviews. If you are struggling to write your resume, contact a professional resume writer who can help you to focus your resume information to the job/s for which you intend to apply.

Radiant Resume Services can write your resume and cover letter. We will help you shine brighter and reach your job search and career goals faster. Radiant Resume Services

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3 Outdated Resume Features

Resumes no longer have rules. They are marketing tools, and they are selling you to potential employers. They can be as individual as the people they represent. Resumes in today's highly competitive job market should be employer-driven, all about how you fit the employer's needs and bring value to their company.

1. Objective: In the past, it was a resume standard that you begin your resume by stating your career or target company desired in an objective statement. Those days are gone. Why? An objective statement is all about what you want; it's not company-driven. Employers aren't reading your resume to determine whether you want their company; they're scanning it to see if they want you.

If you really want to grab their attention, begin your resume with a "billboard" of large power-words. Start with your job title such as "Chief Executive Officer" or "Marketing Strategist". This communicates to the employer what your career position is right off the bat. Then on the next line, state your greatest strength or a bonus value you would bring to the company such as "Trilingual in Spanish, French, and English". The last part of the billboard is a synopsis of you professionally, several sentences summarizing your best skills and experience.

Another alternative to an objective is writing a "Profile" statement that summarizes you professionally and your successful career growth. An example beginning is "Innovative sales and marketing specialist with a track record of exemplary performance in the pharmaceutical industry..." Throw in plenty of keywords, industry-specific jargon for which employers' computer systems will be searching. For example, if you're an accountant, some keywords would include general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, accounting, invoicing, payroll, bank reconciliation, and expense reports. Keywords are extremely important to have in your resume with all the computerized software analyzing resumes and weeding out those that don't have them.

2. Job Duties: Sure, employers want to know what you've been responsible for and generally what your duties are and were, but more importantly, they want to know what you have accomplished with those responsibilities. I cannot stress to you enough how important this is. A brief two- or three-sentence summary of what your job entails, followed by a bulleted list of your most notable achievements and awards is much more effective and gives the employer evidence of your ability to excel at your job.

3. References available upon request: This statement at the end of your resume is optional now. It is generally an unspoken understanding that you will provide at least three references if asked to do so. If you're lacking in space, leave it off. On the other hand if you need something to fill a significant space, include it. (By the way, be sure you include email addresses, if possible, in your contact information for references.) Your actual references' names and contact information do not go on your resume. They belong on a separate sheet of paper which you provide once the employer requests it.

If you want to compete to stand out of the mass of job seekers in the market, you have got to be up-to-date on effective resume strategies. Individualize your resume to reflect the unique person it sells and show employers what you have accomplished and what value you bring.

Certified Professional Resume Writer crafting resumes strategically designed to showcase your value to employers. Free resume reviews offered! http://www.composureresumes.com/

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Over 30 With an Outdated Resume? Time for a Grown-Up Resume

By Cynthia Wilson James Cynthia Wilson James
Level: Platinum

Cynthia Wilson James, who has been dubbed the Queen of Common Sense by a professional colleague, is founder of InSeason Mom.org, which provides support for ...

I don't think there is a person alive who doesn't look back at one or more event in high school or college with fond memories. Maybe, you won homecoming queen or lettered in football during high school. In college, you won president of your class or club. Your high school and college accomplishments are impressive and worth remembering. Therefore, you're listed them on your resume. Wrong move. It's time to "clean house" or update your resume, especially if you are a working professional over 30.

You may sincerely believe that specific college accomplishments played a major role in contributing to the professional you are today. If you strongly feel this way, then I would encourage you to mention the specific accomplishments during the interview and their relevancy to your current profession. However, leave it off the resume.

If you are over 30 and your last noteworthy accomplishment on your resume was in high school or college, a potential employer will view this as lack of motivation or initiative on your part. You are stuck and still reminiscing about your glory days. No one wants an employee whose best days are behind him or her. Employers want someone who can bring something to the table and who can continue contributing. Look at your resume from a potential employer's viewpoint. Is it still relevant that you took a course on computer terminology fifteen years ago? More than likely you have played a recent role, regardless of how small, on one of your company's projects. Listing collecting toys last Christmas for a local children's charity is much better than listing how you collected money to save the polar bears when you were in college.

Also, look at your references. I advise my resume clients not to send references unless requested. If your references are requested, check your references before you sending to a potential employer. Is it time to update the email, telephone numbers or addresses of your references? How about deleting contacts you haven't spoken with in a while? Unless you still keep in contact with your favorite professor or teacher, don't list him/her as a reference. Because teachers and professors interact with hundreds of students, it is easy for them to forget names or faces that they haven't interacted with in couple of years.

Remember being little and wanting to go to "real" school and then wanting to go to middle school and wanting more than anything to be in high school? When you finished college and got your first job, you knew you were an "adult." You could hang with the grown folks! At each stage, there were things you had to let go to get to the next improved stage. Take your resume to the stage to reflect where you are professionally. Get a grown-up resume!

Cynthia Wilson James, who has been dubbed the Queen of Common Sense by a professional colleague, is founder of http://inseasonmom.org/, which provides support for first time moms over 35. A former corporate recruiter, Cynthia is owner of C James Writing, a resume writing and interview service for experienced professionals.

"I'm a firm believer that there are different seasons in every person's life," says Cynthia. "The key is never allowing another person's season to determine where you should be in your (personal or professional)season of life."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cynthia_Wilson_James

This article has been viewed 4 time(s).
Article Submitted On: January 06, 2011

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Four Ways To Avoid An Outdated Resume

Beyond the skills and experiences you list in your resume, the formatting and design you use says a lot about you. Recruiters and hiring managers can tell right away when they look at your resume whether you simply pulled a template off the internet and plugged in your information, or took the time to create a customized, up-to-date document that is a perfect representation of you. They know the current resume trends and pay attention to certain aspects. Here are some ways to avoid dating your resume:

Trash the objective. Career objective statements are outdated and solely focused on the job candidate - a big no-no in today's job market where the focus is on what the candidate can do for the company. Employers are not interested in furthering your career unless it serves their interests. So, drop the objective and go with an executive summary or career highlights section that focuses on your unique selling points and what you have to offer.

Be sure to include your email address. Although it's unlikely you will be contacted via email requesting an interview, you want to be open for contact through a variety of channels. You may opt to create a simple, professional sounding email address through Google or Yahoo! to use solely for job search purposes. Pay attention to the name you choose (e.g. Partygirl72 @ emailaddress doesn't send the right message). In addition, if your current employer tracks your incoming and outgoing emails, its best to avoid giving that address to potential employers.

Lose the reference list. Keeping with current resume trends, which recruiters and hiring managers are well versed in, its best to avoid including a list of your references - or even the phrase "References available upon request". It wastes important resume space and it is generally presumed that, unless they are requested in the job posting, you will be asked for references if they are needed.

Cut out details about jobs you held 20 or more years ago. Although what you did in 1990 may have had an impact on your career then, everything has changed. Being an accountant, programmer, teacher, sales manager, business analyst, doctor - all jobs have evolved a great deal since then. Employers want to know you have what it takes to deliver in today's environment. Therefore, detail your career accomplishments for the past 10 years, and then give a short listing of your positions prior to that time. For example:

Sr. Buyer, ABC Corporation, 1993 - 1999
Buyer, DEF and Company, 1989 - 1993
Clerk, GHI, Inc., 1988 - 1989
...and so forth.

Just like technology, medicine, and so many other fields, resume trends continually evolve and those most entrenched in the industry - recruiters and hiring managers - are most aware of the changes. Showing that you have done your homework and created a fantastic, up-to-date resume will help your document get noticed in a sea of boring, antiquated template resumes.

Cathy Eng is a Certified Advanced Resume Writer and owner of Resume Rocketeer, Inc. She specializes in helping clients leverage their best skills and experiences to create a powerful, effective resume and cover letter. Cathy specializes in a wide variety of fields and experience levels, as well as professionals looking to change career paths and those returning to the workforce after an extended period of time. She is a member of the National Resume Writers Association, Career Directors International, and Professional Association of Resume Writers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cathy_Eng

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