Did you know that September is International Update Your Resume Month? Launched by Career Directors International in 2000, this month marks the perfect time to revisit your resume and see if it’s up to par with what today’s recruiters and employers are looking for. If you haven’t updated your resume in a few years, the likelihood is that it’s a bit behind current standards. Even if you’re not looking for a new job right now, having a ready-to-go resume in your arsenal is helpful should that great opportunity present itself.
Start With Accomplishments, Not Responsibilities
The standard resume format most job seekers use focuses on skills or responsibilities in each role. These types of resumes generally consist of a lot of bullet points with those skills and tasks listed. Unfortunately, a “death by bullets” approach does little to market you to a future employer.
While what you did at each role is still an important part of your resume, skills are not the primary components you want to highlight on your resume. These days, your best bet is to focus on your accomplishments and how you’ve added value at your positions.
To craft great accomplishments that pack a punch, use this formula:
Challenge … Action … Result
In other words, there was a challenge you faced, an action you took to overcome that challenge, and then a result that came out of that action.
In most instances, accomplishments fall into one of four categories:
- You made the company or client money.
- You saved the company or client money.
- You made stakeholders happy.
- You developed or improved processes and procedures.
In your resume, aim to list one bulleted accomplishment per year, and don’t exceed five bullet points per position.
Update Your Resume with Your Value Proposition
While accomplishments display ways you’ve helped companies succeed in the past, there’s another place you should do that: in your summary.
If you have an older resume, you probably have an objective at the top of it. Objectives are common in a skills-based resume format and are obsolete when it comes to differentiating yourself. Therefore, if you have an objective, it’s definitely time to update your resume to today’s standards!
In lieu of an objective, add a title or headline that states the position you’re seeking. Just below that, create a summary, where you’ll answer the question, “Why should I hire you?” Focus on the key skills that only you can bring to the position, as opposed to your personality traits. How have you added value to other companies in the past? What kind of leader are you? What are the results you can deliver? Overall, you want to share how your particular experience directly translates to the requirements for this job.
A summary is often referred to as a branding statement because its goal is to brand you to an employer. Therefore, you really need to sell yourself here. After all, this is the first thing employers will read!
Global Marketing Leader | Growth Strategy & Commercial Operations
Marketing executive with 12+ years of experience leading global go-to-market strategies, cross-functional teams, and complex growth initiatives. Uses market research and performance data to identify new revenue opportunities, align teams, and turn strategy into measurable business results.
Ensure Your Resume Is ATS Friendly
No matter how fantastic the content on your resume is, if it doesn’t make it through the Applicant Tracking System (ATS), it won’t be seen. A key component to updating your resume is to create content that is compatible with the ATS software most employers use. That means it has to have:
- Contact information, including the city, state you’d like to work in, your phone number, email address, and any online portfolios or accounts that you’d like to highlight (a custom LinkedIn URL is a great addition).
- Relevant keywords that match the job description.
- A simple reverse-chronological layout without text boxes, lines, shapes, or columns.
- One color (black) and one font (Calibri, Arial, or Helvetica are best).
- No more than two pages.
- No photos or icons.
Avoid filling your resume with keywords in white font. It’s bad form and could potentially eliminate you from consideration.
Need Help Updating Your Resume?
Resume Writing YouTube Playlist
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Resume and Career Services was launched to empower job seekers and provide them with the tools to be successful in their job search. Built by recruiters, career advocates, and resume experts with extensive experience supporting candidates in finding their ideal positions, their team is all about making a difference for you. Whether you are just looking for a resume or want an advocate to partner with you throughout your job search, at Resume and Career Services, we are here to help you secure your next role. Want to learn more? Visit our website to explore the full range of services they have to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Updating Your Resume
How often should you update your resume?
Review your resume every six to twelve months and after major accomplishments, promotions, certifications, or changes in responsibility. Updating it as you go is much easier than trying to remember everything when you are ready to apply.
How long should a resume be?
One to two pages is appropriate for most professionals. The right length depends on your experience, but every detail should support the type of role you are targeting.
Should you tailor your resume for every job?
Yes, but you do not need to rewrite the entire document. Adjust your summary, skills, keywords, and featured accomplishments to emphasize the experience most relevant to each position.
Should you submit your resume as a PDF or Word document?
Follow the employer’s instructions whenever a file type is specified. If no preference is given, a PDF usually preserves your formatting, while a Word document may be requested by some recruiters or application systems.
Can you use AI to help update your resume?
AI can help organize ideas, strengthen bullet points, and identify relevant keywords. Always review the final content carefully, confirm that every claim is accurate, and make sure the language still sounds like you.
