The resume… the one tool most of our clients at Dress for Success Phoenix dread creating or updating, is also the same tool that will leave clients beaming with pride and joy once it has been completed. As a job developer at Dress for Success Phoenix, I have the pleasure of supporting individuals in Arizona with their career exploration, and let me tell you, the resume is always a must. So here are my top three resume tips for endless success.
#1 – A resume is not just a timeline of your work history, it is your professional highlight reel.
Resumes are mainly created and used for job searching, however, they are also needed for promotions, furthering education, and admission into leadership programs, committees, and volunteer opportunities.
For these reasons, your resume should showcase more of what you have achieved rather than a list of your basic job duties. Have you been given a professional award? Have you successfully completed a project? Or maybe you’ve set a company-wide record. Treat your resume as a highlight reel and showcase what you have done and what you will bring to the table.
#2 – Update your resume periodically.
Don’t wait until you need a resume to update or create one. You will find yourself trying to remember what you have done. Let’s be honest, you can forget a lot in just a year’s time! For this reason, I want you to treat your resume like a live document and update it on a quarterly basis or after reaching key goals and achievements. This will ensure that you are always prepared for that window of opportunity.
#3 – Be resourceful.
There are endless individuals and professionals out there that want to support you with your resume. That is why I recommend that you seek out assistance when it comes time to create and finalize your resume. This will not only ensure that the grammar and formatting are all in place, but it will also act as a practice session on speaking to your resume and talking positively about yourself.
Cynthia Leyva is a Career Center Job Developer for Dress for Success Phoenix. For more information, please visit phoenix.dressforsuccess.org.
About Dress for Success Phoenix
Dress for Success Phoenix has assisted over 19,000 women since opening its doors in 2009. The mission empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Any woman referred by a community partner is eligible for free-of-charge programs and services. Dress for Success Phoenix is an independent 501c3 non-profit organization and an affiliate of Dress for Success Worldwide. Funds are raised locally and have a direct impact in our local communities.