Preparing for Unemployment

Updating the Resume to Win New Jobs

May 21, 2009 Sharon Chapman

Updating the resume is a critical step in being prepared for unemployment. The appearance and the information should be checked and polished before submitting.

Seeing the signs that unemployment could be in the near future creates the opportunity to polish and perfect one’s resume and be ready for that next golden opportunity. Preparing for unemployment does not necessarily mean it is going to happen, but it does make the transition easier.

Job seeking requires having a professional, up-to-date resume ready to present on the spot. Additionally, it is a good idea to have it handy when networking, should it be requested. Making sure the resume is up-to-date is an on-going process that should be maintained even while employed.

Polishing the Appearance

Updating a resume doesn’t have to mean hiring a professional resume writer, although they are well worth the money. Basic word processing software is all that is required to create a professional, attention-grabbing resume that stands out in the paper crowd. Starting with the overall look, the goal should be a polished appearance.

• Choose a font other than Times or Times New Roman. However, don’t choose a fancy, illegible font.
• Increase line spacing to improve readability and overall appearance.
• Eliminate indentions, they make the reader’s eyes jump around the page.
• Use headings to separate topic areas of the resume, such as work history, references, etc.

After updating the formatting of the resume, move on to updating the "meat" of the resume. This is the most important part of landing that next career move.

Updating the Essentials

Read over the entiredocument. Highlight any areas that need work and redline any errors that are found; although hopefully there aren’t any since the resume is a work in progress at all times. Update job history and achievements with these hints from Caroline Levchuck at Yahoo!HotJobs.

• Start at the bottom. Check each section and determine if there are any new achievements to add to the list, perhaps a new software or piece of equipment that has been mastered. Include any awards or recognitions that are relevant to the business world.
• Review employment history and make sure the jobs listed are still relevant. It may be time to move one or more off the list.
• Expand current job to include all accomplishments, not just responsibilities. Don’t just state "maintained office supplies", include what was accomplished, such as "maintained office supplies with an increase in savings of $xxx". Employers want to see what was done with the tasks given.

Continue checking each section of the resume, adding new information and deleting outdated information.

Final yet Most Important Step

The style is polished and the information is up-to-date and relevant; however, there is a critical final step that can make or break the most experienced, educated person’s resume a dismal failure – grammar and spelling errors. Proofread the resume, and then proofread again and again. It is a good idea to let someone else proofread it as well. Spelling and grammar errors will stop the resume from being read past the error. It will be ignored and tossed aside.

Resumes should be maintained to insure that all information is updated and ready to be presented should it be needed in a moment’s notice. Keep all job information current and check for errors often. Finally, when printing, use a top quality paper and stand out from the crowd.

The copyright of the article Preparing for Unemployment in Career Advice is owned by Sharon Chapman. Permission to republish Preparing for Unemployment in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

A Well Polished Resume can Lead to a New Career