Upgrading Your Resume
by Janet Farley, Ed.M.

You can learn a lot about a person just by looking. 

Sneak a peek at someone's Facebook page or Twitter feed and you can usually get a sense of what is important to that individual. Similarly, the insignia on a military uniform tells a great deal about the person wearing it.

A resume is no different. What does your resume say about you and how can you remedy any flaws?

The following can help you identify and correct any areas that may need addressing on your resume.

Do you know where the most recent version of your resume is currently located?

Is it on your computer for easy access or is it stashed in some obscure file in an even more obscure corner of your house? If you can't remember where within a couple of seconds, consider it a red flag.

Remedy:  Know where your resume is located at all times. If you can't find it, create it and keep tabs on it from this point on.

Have you updated the minor but important details in the past year?

You PCS'ed to a new duty station or have simply moved into new and improved digs. You ditched your spam happy email service for a better one or upgraded to a new cell phone and number. Having a great resume is pointless if an employer can't reach out and easily contact you.

Remedy:  Keep the contact info current on your resume. If need be, send an updated version out to replace older ones or email employers with the updates. Bonus points for re-connecting and reminding the employer that you are still alive and interested in working for them. Careful, you might even be guilty of networking here.

Do you have a resume that you could give to a potential employer today?

You never know when opportunity is going to strike. If you have to stop, create and/or revise a resume when it does, you will lose valuable time. Others, even those not as qualified, will have the advantage because they were "opportunity ready" with their resume.

Remedy:  Be opportunity-ready at all times. You may have to do some minor re-focusing of select areas for each job opportunity, but that is far easier than recreating the document each time.

 Does your resume reflect any recently attained training, experience and skills?

You work hard to keep your skills current in the work place or for the job market. Make sure you give yourself credit that expertise.

Remedy:  Don't neglect to mention any relevant course work you've completed, experiences you've had (to include volunteer time) and new skills you've acquired. The key word here is relevant. What is relevant could change with each job opportunity.

 Do you even have a resume at all?

If it's true, don't deny it.

Remedy:  Draft one. If you aren't sure how to do it, turn to your family support center for assistance or read Chapter Six, Writing a Resume Employers Will Love, in my book, "The Military Spouse's Guide to Employment: Smart Job Choices for Mobile Lifestyles," (Impact Pubs, 2012).

 Do you have a resume that reflects unnecessary information?

Generally speaking, you might be guilty of this if your resume includes:

• the word "Resume" at the top of the page
• the words "Email" or "Telephone" in front of the contact info
• expertise in basic computer literacy
• the phrase "References Available Upon Request"
• reference to your personal/religious/political beliefs
• reference to your age, height, weight, marital status and health condition

Remedy: 

Some unnecessary info is easy to identify. A resume doesn't need pegging as a resume. Most employers can recognize email address or a telephone number when they see one. Your references should be available upon request without indicating so and highlighting the most basic of computer skills in a today may simply date you.

Other points may be subject to interpretation depending on the job you're seeking. For example:

• In the entertainment business, your height and weight might be relevant for casting purposes.

• In law enforcement, your level of health could come into play.

• Working for a specific political party or religious affiliation might require membership it in.

When in doubt about what to include on your resume, ask yourself this question:

"Does this support my objective for this resume?"  If it does, it stays. If it doesn't, it goes. 

Janet Farley writes about career and work place issues for the Stars and Stripes Newspaper and other national publications. She is the author of "The Military Spouse's Employment Guide: Smart Job Choices for Mobile Lifestyles," (Impact Pubs, 2012) and Quick Military Transition Guide: Seven Steps to Landing a Civilian Job (Jist Inc., 2012). Follow her on Twitter @smartjobchoices and @mil2civguide. 

Have an employment question for Janet? Ask here. Your question/answer may be printed in a future issue.