It’s often believed that the sole purpose of a resume is to find a job, which is why most professionals don’t have one on hand, says Sarbojit Mallick, co-founder of Instahyre.
They forget that regularly updating their CV can also open doors for internal promotions, as well as help them land great opportunities through networking. Therefore, it is important to dispel the myth that the CV is a piece of paper that is reviewed and corrected only while looking for a job. It is imperative to consider it an integral part of your career path, for as long as you wish to continue in the job market.
Many professionals mistakenly believe that once they’ve landed a job, their resume is no longer relevant until the next job search, says Yogita Tulsiani, director and co-founder of iXceed Solutions. However, the truth is that keeping your resume up to date is vital to your career path, regardless of whether you’re actively seeking new opportunities, she says.
Manikanth Challa, Founder and CEO of Workruit, notes that some professionals underestimate the need to update their resumes to advance their careers. They see it as an unnecessary or time-consuming exercise. This perception may stem from a sense of complacency in their current positions or a belief that they won’t need their resumes in the near future.
Key Benefits of Regularly Updating a CV Talking about the benefits of keeping a CV up to date, Mallick says that if you update it constantly, you incorporate all the components. If you update it only when you are looking for a job, there is a chance that you might forget to add several key points that can highlight your skills and achievements. Market research company Gitnux, he says, recently stated in one of its reports that 60% of jobs are found through networking. Therefore, an updated CV comes in handy when you come across an unexpected job opportunity or if you have to suddenly share it with someone in your network.
Tulsiani says that regularly updating a resume ensures you’re prepared to take advantage of unexpected opportunities, such as internal promotions or interesting job openings from your network.
By constantly revising your resume, you’ll not only keep it relevant to potential employers, but you’ll also become stronger to meet new challenges and opportunities as they arise. In other words, she suggests treating your resume as a living document to ensure you’re always ready to take the next step in your career.
Challa notes that updating your resume helps you track your career progress and identify skills gaps.
How often should you update a resume?
Of course, there is no set timetable for updating a resume. Mallick suggests doing so whenever there is a change in position or responsibilities, or when a course has been completed. “There is a reason people say to jot down details when it is recent, because that is when you tend to capture everything and not miss anything,” he adds.
Tulsiani suggests constantly reviewing and updating your resume, as it serves as a tangible record of your progress. This will also enable you to face new challenges and opportunities.
At Workruit, Challa says they recommend updating resumes at least once a year, even if the candidate is happy with their current job. By keeping their resumes up to date, she says, professionals can stay relevant and effectively position themselves for future career opportunities.
Common mistakes to avoid
Mallick says the most common mistake professionals make is not customizing their resumes to the job they are applying for. Sticking to a one-size-fits-all approach and using the wrong format or language won’t help. He also emphasizes generating an applicant tracking system (ATS)-friendly version to get past the first list of applicants.
Challa says Workruit offers useful resources and guidance to help people maintain effective resumes that support their career advancement goals.
Where an updated resume has made a big difference
Mallick recalls an incident where they were looking to hire a senior software developer and posted the job on their internal channel. In response, they immediately received the resume of a junior developer who met the requirements and the document showed that he was the perfect fit.
This is a clear example of a win-win situation for both the employee and the employer, as while that person was able to quickly move on to a more senior position within the same organization, the employer was able to close the position internally within a week, without having to find someone new and run a background check to assess their suitability.
At Workruit, Challa says they have witnessed numerous success stories where people who kept their resumes up to date experienced substantial career advancements, including promotions within their current companies and new job opportunities. One such case is that of a job seeker who received multiple offers after completing a year at his first job. Along with his new experience, he made sure to incorporate the certifications he earned during the year, thereby revamping his resume to reflect his latest accomplishments and skills. This underscores the importance of keeping an up-to-date and impactful resume for career advancement, he adds.
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