Updating your resume on a yearly basis is generally a pretty good idea, and September's International Update your Resume Month seems like as good a time as any to get it over with. The whole task is easier said than done, though, so we've got some tried and true resources to help you out.
Look up examples - Different fields typically look for different information within resumes. Look up examples from others in your desired field for inspiration.
Tailor your resume to the job you're applying for - Not every experience is going to apply to every job. It takes a bit more work, but altering your resume to best suit the specific position you're applying for can produce better results.
Ensure that your resume looks professional and is easy to read - no complex or fancy fonts, and only use black text. You can add a blue or green accent (pick one) if you're feeling colorful, but that's the absolute maximum.
Be careful with online resume builders and templates - These can seem like an easy route initially, but they're often extremely rigid and can make personalizing and updating your resume more difficult in the future. Additionally, AI resume writers can fill your resume with nonsensical and false information, so if you use one, make sure you carefully read what it produces before submitting to an employer.
Provide you contact information - Employers will be looking for your first and last name, your email address, your phone number, and the city and state you live in at the top of the resume. Do not give them your full address, and make sure that the phone and email you supply are ones you have access to and frequently check.
Consider a cover letter - They aren't required, but they can add a little something extra to your resume to make you stand out. Cover letters explain why you're best suited for the position you're applying for and can show employers that you really care. Check out this article by Indeed on how to write one.
What jobs you do and don't need to put - The general rule is any employment in the last ten years plus anything relevant or in the same field. Lets say, for example, that you're applying for a job as a teacher. The barista job you held back in 2004 probably doesn't need to be mentioned, but any tutoring, teacher's aid, or substitute jobs you might have had are great experience.
What if none of my experience feels relevant? - Make it relevant. Below each employment listing, you're going to write a brief list of skills, tasks, and responsibilities you had while you worked that job. Going back to our example of the ex-barista looking for a teaching job, say that the barista job is the only employment you've had in the last 5 years. Making drinks and preparing food aren't transferrable to the classroom. Conflict resolution, team building, customer service, time management, adaptability, and level headedness in a fast paced environment, however, are applicable skills in most careers.
What if this is my first real job?- Employment is a broad term. If you were a fulltime homemaker, a caretaker for a family member, did some tutoring or babysitting, mowed lawns, sold your art, volunteered at a nonprofit, held an important role in a club, starred in a play, petsat your neighbor's dog, wrote for a zine, or any other service, you can list that as work experience if you phrase it right.
But I don't know what to write - Your best resource is going to be the job description for the position you're applying to. Some bigger employers will even scan your resume with AI before a real person ever looks at it, and the AI will be searching for specific keywords that can usually be found in the job description. If those skills are ones you hold, it can be beneficial to mimic the phrasing the employers themselves have used. Additionally, use this list of action verbs by the University of Colorado to beef up your skill lists.
No dates required for education - If you're worried about being freshly graduated or having not touched a textbook since the 80s, don't put the years you attended school on your resume. Employers don't need to know that information, and it keeps you safe from ageism.
A college degree isn't the only option - If you completed high school, earned a GED, attended a vocational or trade school, done an online training, or just completed a few college classes without earning a degree, you can list those under education. It's all information and skills that you've gained.
Need some one-on-one help? - The library's got you covered. Check out one of our Job Clubs where staff and volunteers can help you update your resume or even write one if it's your first time.