Your Resume: Refresh or Start Fresh?

If you have a resume, at some point, you’re faced with a dilemma: Should I update my existing resume, or is it time to start over?

When you have a great resume — especially one created by a professional resume writer — it can be difficult to imagine starting over again. But even the best formats become outdated as technology changes. And if you are dreaming about making a career pivot, what worked in one profession may not be appropriate in another. But how do you know when you should refresh — or start fresh?

Here are some questions to help you decide:

How long ago was your resume created?

• If your resume was created within the last 12 to 18 months, and you’re seeking a similar role, the answer is easy: Update your existing document.

• If your resume was created within the last 18 months to 3 years, and you’re seeking a similar role, the correct answer is probably to update your existing resume.

• The more difficult choice is if your resume was created 3-5 years ago. In that case, examine the resume format. If the structure is still modern in appearance and adding the new information doesn’t substantially affect the format, a refresh is most likely the right choice.

• If the resume was created more than five years ago, 99 times out of 100, the correct answer is to start over. We often get calls from people saying they’ve been at the same company for 10+ years and have no idea what a current resume should look like today. Trends change — for example, a job objective is no longer used, and we use professional branding to help position you as the best candidate for the roles you are targeting. Many resumes list job tasks from the job description instead of demonstrating successes by including accomplishments, impact, and results statements. You want the reader to imagine that you will realize the same impressive results for them that you got in your other jobs, and that’s why just listing job tasks does not work hard enough for you.

How long ago was your resume last updated?

• A refresh is probably appropriate if your resume was updated in the last 12 months. There probably isn’t a lot that has changed regarding format or technology.

• Has it been up to three years since your most recent update? Deciding whether to refresh or start fresh will depend. Consider how your new content strengthens your resume and will fit into the existing structure.

• If it’s been more than three years since your resume was last updated, consider an overhaul. A resume created within the last three years will often be substantially more current in content and appearance than one updated three years ago. So, starting fresh is probably the right approach.

Are you seeking a new role in the same profession or changing professions?

• If you are pursuing a new role in a different field, whether to refresh or start fresh depends on if the industry you are targeting has different standards for resumes than your current industry. If you are a sales representative for a creative company (a children’s toy manufacturer, for example) and you’re pursuing a sales representative position in the financial services industry, you may want to take a fresh approach to your resume’s format and appearance. If you’re an accountant for a large school district and you’re seeking an accounting position for a midsize private company, you may be able to keep the same content and format.

• If you are changing careers, you will want to start fresh. You can’t use the same resume for substantially different positions. If you’re a teacher wanting to pursue a role in outside sales, your education-focused resume probably won’t work. If you’re a former trial lawyer seeking a role in nonprofit administration, you’ll want a new format showcasing your transferable skills.

Is there an “Objective” statement at the top of your resume?

• If the answer is yes, your resume needs an overhaul. Even removing the objective statement probably won’t be enough to meet the standards of a modern resume since the content in the top 1/3 of the first page of your resume is so critical. (It should be replaced with professional branding statements and content showcasing your qualifications.)

Is your resume font Times New Roman – or does the resume have Comic Sans anywhere on it?

• Font choice can be a sign that your resume may need an overhaul. Dated fonts may be a symptom that you must do more than select new fonts.

Are you using a functional resume format?

• Functional resumes — which use a format that focuses more on skills than chronological work experience — have lost favor in recent years because they are not often compatible with how applicant tracking systems (ATS) parse (or organize) data. Because the format often omits employment dates — and may not even list specific jobs or employers — the resume data may not populate the fields correctly in some ATS software. In addition, many recruiters and hiring managers don’t like functional formats. At Life Working®, we’ve found that a hybrid resume format follows industry best practices and is the most effective.

Has your existing resume gotten too long?

• Resume length isn’t black and white. Resumes in some professions run 3-4 pages on the low end. But it may be time to start entirely from scratch if your resume is three pages because it includes 25 years of work experience in excruciating detail. The reason?  You’ve just added new positions without thinking through the strategy of what you include on your resume; it may be best to reinvent it.

Does your resume have a “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” appearance?

• This is common if you had your resume professionally written and designed, but you’ve since tried to keep it up to date yourself. Especially for beautiful, modern designs, adding information without affecting the formatting can be difficult.  You should probably return to the original creator or call Life Working® to ensure that the integrity of the content and formatting remain intact.

These scenarios raise another critical question: How often should your resume be updated?

Here are some guidelines Life Working® resume writers consider worthy of an update:

• Anytime you take on a new role (job or promotion)

• You need to evaluate your current roles and responsibilities, update any accomplishments, list new skills, and add new education, training, or volunteer activities.

• When something significant happens, such as completing a certification, adding a new skill to your repertoire, or finishing a big project. Record this information in an accomplishments folder while it’s fresh in your mind so you remember all the important details.

A fresh, modern resume is essential if you’re ready for something new. You never know when the right opportunity might open; you might miss out if you don’t have a resume ready.

Ask Life Working® resume experts if you need more clarification on anything related to your resume or job search! We stay current about trends in resumes and hiring technology and will be able to offer you the best solution for your specific needs.

For more information about Life Working® services, check out our career coaching services, resumes & writing services, and schedule your free consultation.