If you have been satisfied with your current position, chances are that you haven’t thought about your resume in a long time. Quite possibly, you haven’t touched it since you landed your current role!
You are certainly not alone! Most people only think about their resume when it is time to start looking for a new position. If you aren’t planning on looking for a new position anytime soon, then you may feel that it isn’t necessary to update it.
The fact is – it is always recommended to keep your resume up to date. The reason being, it is easier to add new responsibilities, achievements, and skills and quantifiable results while you are currently in a position. Additionally, there are many times that having a resume ready to go comes in handy! Why?
Let’s discuss the 5 key reasons as to why you should keep your resume updated.
1. Opportunity Knocks
It is important to remember that even if you are not looking for a position, employers may still be looking for you. They may land on your LinkedIn profile, or a colleague may recommend you. When these situations present themselves, it is always worth your time to at least check them out. Sometimes, the best opportunities come up when you aren’t even looking for them! With that being said, having an updated resume that is ready to go helps expedite the process, and it says a great deal about your professionalism and organization.
2. Promotion At Your Current Company
Another reason to keep your resume updated is in the event that growth opportunities arise at your current employer. Typically, if a position is posted internally, there will be a number of employees that may be interested. If you have your resume updated, you can submit it as soon as possible. It will also reiterate that you are very interested in the promotion opportunity!
3. Additional Income/Project Work
Everybody loves more money right? Great work is always in demand! Therefore, taking on additional project work is always an option. This does not mean that you are looking to leave your current situation. It is an additional source of income that may be just what you need to cover additional expenses. This could be a contract role or even a simple project. Nevertheless, potential clients will likely want to see your credentials and/or experience, so having a resume to present to them will be ideal.
4. Ready To Look
The time may come where you have a terrible day at work, and realize that now is the time to make a change. When most people decide that it is time to start a job search, they think about everything that it entails. This includes writing a resume, searching for jobs, applying for positions, interviewing, etc. Getting your resume together can be the most timely part of this process. If you have it updated, you can dive into your search immediately and start making things happen!
5. In Case Something Happens
This is the situation that everyone dreads (and we all pray that it never happens), but the reality is that unexpected changes do happen. Whether it is a reorganization, an acquisition, or some other reason that you may lose your job, you will be one step ahead if your resume is updated. You won’t have to worry about taking the time to write a resume when you are already in shock about your current situation. This will allow you to apply for positions immediately, and then take some mental health time to reset yourself.
The bottom line is that getting your resume together involves a significant amount of time and effort. If you keep it updated on a regular basis, you will eliminate the stress of scrambling to update it when you decide to move on. In today’s fast-paced world, it can be very difficult to find/make the time to update your resume. It is better to find the time now, so you don’t have to be in a crunch should something arise.
Can’t find your old resume or need a new one? Use our EZ resume kit to help you get started!
by Natalie Lemons
Natalie Lemons is the founder and President of Resilience Group, LLC, author of The Resilient Recruiter, and Co-Founder of Need a New Gig. She specializes in the area of Executive Search and Career Coaching and services a diverse group of national and international companies, focusing on mid to upper-level management searches in a variety of industries. For more articles like this, follow her blog.
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