It's your first day on your new job. Time to start updating your resume!
That's the last thing on your mind, right? Maintaining an up-to-date resume is the best way to prepare for your next career move, whether it turns out to be planned or an unexpected change. Just follow this 10-point guide.
1. Keep your resume on your home computer. Don't take a chance that a coworker or supervisor might see it and think that you are looking for another job.
2. Begin by adding the name of your new company in top position on your old resume. Include the date you started work and your job title. Insert a few lines about the company -- number of employees, type of business, products or services, annual revenues, scope of business (local, regional, national, international).
3. Add notes about the scope of your job. Include specific measurable details. For example, "Maintain complex database of drawings, materials specifications and instructions for over 3,500 parts used in manufacture of carbon phenolic sub assemblies on a $55,000,000 Department of Defense contract. Catalogue and insert about 15 revisions per month. Retrieve an average of 200 documents daily to meet production needs." Be sure to update your resume when your duties change or expand.
If you are in a support position, include information about the number and types of people you support and the scope of their work. This will help define the magnitude of your job. For example, "Prepare and proof complex sales agreements for 3 agents completing an average of 30 new transactions per week with average monthly sales volumes of $50,000. Maintain files and transmit final documents to regional office daily."
4. List specific computer programs you use and special equipment or processes you have mastered.
5. When you accomplish something significant, make an entry on your resume-in-progress. Quantify your accomplishment in terms of cost savings, error reduction, revenue increase, or service improved. Tell what you did, how you did it, and the measurable result.
For example, "Identified frequent customer complaints that they received 3 separate calls for information the day before their scheduled surgical procedures. Suggested a system that allowed one person to make the calls to the typical 60 patients per day and gather all information needed by billing, insurance, and admitting sections. Eliminated the customer complaints and an average of 120 outgoing telephone calls made by staff members each day."
6. After a performance evaluation, make notes about the accomplishments you discussed with your supervisor. He/she may offer added information about the impact of your accomplishments on the work team or wider company performance.
7. When you receive recognition or awards, record the title of the award, the date, and what you did to receive it.
8. Keep a list of training courses you take, either company-sponsored or through outside organizations. Include title of course, sponsoring organization, and date.
9. Note company committees on which you serve along with the function and accomplishments of each committee.
10. Add your new title when you are promoted, and continue noting your accomplishments in the new position.
When that dream job suddenly appears or you find yourself downsized, you will have all the information needed for a powerful, up-to-date resume. If you choose a professional resume service, your editor will be pleased to have such good information. You will have a winning resume.
Cynthia S. Becker is a Certified Professional Resume Writer and resume writing consultant; she writes for ResumeEdge, the official resume partner of Yahoo! HotJobs.
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