3 reasons now is the best time to update your resume 

If you’re considering—or even think you might consider—changing jobs in the near future, now is the time to update your resume. Waiting until opportunity comes knocking at your door might mean losing out on a dream position that unexpectedly opens up. 

Why is it so important to keep your resume updated? 

1- You’ll never miss a great opportunity to advance

When an opportunity opens unexpectedly, the last thing you want to do is panic because your resume is woefully out of date. Rushing to update it also means potentially missing an opportunity to highlight essential aspects of your career and present yourself in the best possible light. 

Frequently updating your resume allows you to add experiences as they happen, ensuring you don’t neglect vital information or important qualifications. It also saves time and effort in trying to remember the most important career highlights to include. 

Having your resume ready to go whenever you’re asked also portrays an extra level of professionalism on your part that can likely provide a leg up on important career opportunities. It means you’re ready at a moment’s notice for any interesting openings that come up.

According to Resume Genius, you should update your resume every time you obtain new skills, certifications, or major work or volunteer experience relevant to the career path you want.

Here are some great tips for updating your resume. 

2- The hiring process is much faster post-2020 

The hiring process has transformed quite dramatically since 2020, including the speed at which companies are able to onboard new hires. Pre-2020, the average number of days to hire for our clients was 62. Today it’s less than 50!

Thanks to companies’ comfort with foregoing previously mandatory in-person interviews and replacing them with virtual interviews via platforms like Zoom, the hiring process is moving more swiftly than ever. And with the high demand for talent, they’re hiring quickly to snag the best people for key positions. 

‍SHRM.org reports that LinkedIn conducted a survey of more than 1,500 talent acquisition professionals from 28 countries, supplemented by data generated by more than 760 million members on the professional networking site, noting: 

“In the same way that a hybrid workforce of onsite and remote employees will become more normalized, a hiring process that combines virtual and in-person processes will become increasingly standard due to the associated cost and time savings.”  

The bottom line: Expect virtual interviews to replace many touch points previously done in person, further shortening hiring timelines. 

3- You’ll gain valuable perspective on your professional strengths and gaps 

Regularly reviewing and updating your resume can offer valuable perspective on where you’ve been and where you might want to go in your career. Analyzing past career moves and experiences can provide insight into potential new career paths.

As you update your resume, you might discover you have a new interest in applying for a position or promotion, completing specialized training, getting additional project experience, or earning a higher degree. You might also discover areas in which you fall short of your goals, which also can provide insight into next steps. 

Always having your resume updated and available means you’re ready to shine when the occasion calls for it. This one simple step can ensure you’re always ready for the next right opportunity! 

Ready for your next great career opportunity? Let us know what you’re looking for to see if we can find a fit!