Why you should update your resume even if you're not job searching

A recent Prudential Pulse of the American Worker study found that 1 in 4 workers plan on looking for a new job post-COVID. Understandably, job seekers who are in active job search mode have a good reason to update their resumes. However, what if you aren't planning on looking for a new job in the near future? Is it still important to keep your resume up to date?

In a word, yes. In fact, we encourage our clients to set aside a few minutes every month to review and update their resumes. We want to share four important reasons to keep your resume updated.

New job opportunities in your organization. As things continue to open up, new job opportunities may become available to you that would provide you with greater life balance, such as a new hybrid job position. Since remote and hybrid jobs are continuing to evolve, this could create a new position that you may want to apply for. If a new job position becomes available in your organization, you will need to provide your resume.

A promotion or leadership position. You may not be job searching, but you may have your eye on a promotion or leadership position in your company that will provide you with a new challenge. When speaking with your manager about a promotion, we recommended providing them with a copy of your resume. You will also need your resume to show you are qualified for a leadership position if it becomes available to you.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes along. You may feel content in your current position. But have you truly found your dream job? If your dream job that would allow you to make more of a difference comes along, you won't want to waste precious time on having to update your resume before being able to apply.  

You avoid making mistakes. When we do something last minute, we tend to rush through the task. This is a big mistake when it comes to your resume since it's an important branding document. You want to make sure that your biggest achievements and measurable results are listed on your resume.

Keeping your resume updated will ensure that you can take advantage of these opportunities. We recommend keeping a master copy of your resume with all of your most important accomplishments. Then, as new career opportunities arise, you can easily and quickly tailor your resume to that opportunity.

Need more help? Let's talk about how we can help you prepare for future career opportunities. Schedule a consult today.