Did you know that September is National Update Your Resume Month? I didn’t, and I’m a headhunter.</span>

I personally update my resume every New Year’s Day. (I also take down the holiday decorations and change the batteries in the smoke detectors.) Regardless of whether you do it in January or September, annually updating your resume is a smart move. 

First of all (ahem) you never know when we may call you with a fantastic job opportunity. More importantly, it allows you time to reflect on what you have accomplished in the past year, and to document it. Generally, this exercise is good for your self esteem.

According to the National Day Calendar, professional resumes date back to at least 1482, when Leonardo da Vinci put his personal accomplishments on paper in an attempt to secure employment for the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, as a military engineer. From the 1930s on, resumes became an institutional requirement when applying for a job. 

There are 4 types of basic resumes used by potential employees—Chronological, Functional, Combination and Targeted. 

  • Chronological resumes are the most common form, presenting work history, personal achievements, and education in chronological order. Emphasis is given to work history in a chronological resume, naming the latest employment first. 
  • Unlike chronological resumes, functional resumes take the focus away from work history and place the focus instead on skills and abilities. These are most commonly used when you are looking to make a major career pivot. 
  • Less common are combination resumes, which emphases work history, skills and abilities to allow employers to see everything equally. 
  • Targeted resumes allow applicants to customize their resume according to the position being applied for.

Choosing which resume type depends on the individual. Regardless which you choose, keep the following in mind: 

  • A resume should always look professional and be easy to read. 
  • Be consistent. Using first-person? Make sure you don’t switch halfway through. 
  • Also, check for consistency between your resume and LinkedIn profile. Inconsistencies could raise a red flag. 
  • Focus on the information you are trying to present to potential employers. Customize each resume for the organization and position you are applying for. One resume does NOT fill all. 
  • Check and recheck for spelling and grammatical errors. Have someone else proof it as well.
  • Include results in your statements of success. Statements of accomplishments without stats and/or quantifiable results can sound exaggerated. (i.e. “Increased individual giving year-over-year” Really? How and by how much?)
  • Choosing the right action verbs to describe your skills and accomplishments might be the deciding factor in gaining employment.

For more on this topic, you may also want to read my colleague, Ailena Parramore’s, article: 9 Common Resume Mistakes Made By Even The Most Seasoned Professional