The document provides tips for keeping your resume fresh, including replacing objective statements with value propositions, reviewing and removing outdated entries, adding new skills and accomplishments acquired, using updated keywords, tweaking resume formats if needed, and thoroughly proofreading the document. Key recommendations are to focus on quantifying your value to employers, remove irrelevant past experiences, and highlight new relevant qualifications to showcase continued professional development. Regular revisions will help tailor the resume and keep opportunities accessible.

1. Resume
Writing
How to Keep your Resume Fresh
Information from www.resumetarget.com
All photos courtesy of www.sxc.hu

2. #1
Replace your
objective
statement with
a value
proposition
What is your branding
statement?

3. As the times change, resume writing
styles change

4. What once was the objective
statement is now considered
obsolete.

5. Here is an example of a
boring, uninspiring objective
statement…circa 1990…
“Creative marketing professional
seeks a position within an
organization that will allow me to
utilize my skills with the potential for
growth.”

6. Here is an example of a powerful
value proposition, taken from a
sales consultant’s resume…
“Our clients grow their business, large or
small, typically by a minimum of 30-50%
over the previous year. They accomplish
this without working 80 hour weeks and
sacrificing their personal lives.”
-Sales consultant via www.about.com
-

7. Employer’s can’t resist calling
candidates who can articulate real
value in a short paragraph.

8. #2
Review old
entries in
your resume
What’s on your resume?

9. There are entries in your resume
that may not be relevant
anymore…

10. …so you should remove these.

11. For example,

12. outdated technical skills…

13. …or even old jobs from a few
decades ago…

14. …need to be removed and
replaced with newer and more
relevant entries.

15. Also, don’t go past 10 years
of experience unless it’s
relevant to your job.

16. #3
Add new skills,
accomplishments,
certifications, job
responsibilities,
and positions
you’ve acquired Revise, revise, revise…

17. Make a list of all the significant
changes that have happened in
your professional career during
the past year.

18. Pick items that are significant
and important to further your
professional goals and include
them in your resume.

19. Even if
you are in
the same
position as
last year…

20. …I'm sure you’ve acquired
some new skills or
accountabilities so make sure
you include these.

21. #4
Use updated
key words
What’s your specialization?

22. Keywords are like triggers…

23. …for hiring managers and
prospective employers to read
your resume and consider you
for the position.

24. Make sure you precisely
incorporate these into your
resume.

25. Use a thesaurus…

26. …to add synonyms and
antonyms if you can’t come up
with the right word.

27. #5
Tweak your
resume
format
Better present the resume’s
information…

28. If you feel that the format of your
resume is outdated,

29. …you
may
want to
tweak it.

30. The most important and
relevant information is found…

31. …in the top one-third of the
first page…

32. …and the bottom one-third of
the last page.

33. #6
Proofread your
resume: Use a
spell-check
Again, again, and again…
Oh, and again…

34. Once again,

35. …after you have made all the
necessary corrections…

36. …and did all the revisions and
updates,

37. …you still need to proofread
it…

38. …Again!

39. An updated resume will not
only give you the edge over
other applicants…

40. …but it also
focuses
your
perspective
on the areas
you have
excelled…

41. …and those that need to be
improved.

42. You never
know when
opportunities
come
knocking at
your door so
it pays to be
ready.

43. “The difference between a
successful person and others
is not a lack of strength, not a
lack of knowledge, but rather
”
a lack of will.
-Vince Lambardi

44. The
End