By Karen Hoffman, Senior Consultant
The flowers are blooming, and the days are getting longer. There’s something about spring that sparks a desire to refresh and renew.
While you might be focused on decluttering your home or organizing your garage, there’s one area that often gets overlooked: your resume.
Even if you’re not actively job hunting, giving your resume a seasonal refresh is a great investment of time and a smart career move. Here are a few tips that can help you do some “light dusting.”
1. Reflection – What’s New with You?
Have you learned new skills, taken on more responsibilities, or contributed to a major project in the last 6–12 months?
These accomplishments can fade from memory if you wait too long to write them down.
Updating your resume regularly ensures your achievements are captured while they’re still fresh.
2. Align with Your Goals
As the world and your career evolve, so should your resume. What is important to you as a professional today?
Maybe you want to pivot to a new sector or role, target a leadership position or are just ready for a new challenge.
Spring is the perfect time to make sure your resume speaks to where you’re going, not just where you’ve been.
3. Understand the Latest and Greatest
Resume design trends and hiring practices shift over time. Clean up formatting, remove outdated jargon, and make sure your LinkedIn profile aligns with your resume.
A fresh layout and sharp summary can make a big difference.
Set yourself up for success with your online applications by developing an in-depth understanding of the relationship between Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and keywords.
4. Proactively Prepare for the Unexpected
Opportunities often come when you least expect them: a networking event, a recruiter reaching out, or a new role opening that screams “dream job.”
Having an updated, targeted resume means you will be ready to act quickly and confidently, moving seamlessly to present who you are professionally.
5. Ask for Partnership
Sometimes it’s hard to see your own strengths and/or areas for improvement. Ask a trusted colleague or mentor to review your resume and highlight the impact you might be underplaying.
A second set of eyes can offer feedback on spelling, grammar, and formatting.
What an inspirational time of year – just like your home office or inbox, your resume deserves a little seasonal refresh.
Suggestion: Set aside an hour each month to revisit, refresh, and re-evaluate.
You never know what doors a polished resume might open.