GBS Alumnus and Owner of Exceptional Tuition and Resumes, Monique Jeremiah, offers some advice to those thinking about a new career in 2015.

It's a new year and you've just returned to your job or are searching for your next role. If you think 2015 might be the year of a career change, promotion or internal job switch, it is a good idea to refresh your resume! This is your chance to rejuvenate and fall back in love with your career and ensure you look your best on paper. 


Why you should refresh your resume

1. Over the last year or two you surely picked up some new skills in your current or former employment. Since you proved that you are a loyal employee, chances are your boss trusted you with more responsibilities or gave you the opportunity to try out new tasks to see if you could perform. These achievements need to be added to your resume.

2. There is chance that anytime this year, a new job could pop up in your own organisation or in another organisation and that job meets your 2015 salary requirements, gives you the chance to work closer to home or meets your true passions. Therefore you need to make sure that your resume is ready to go.

Ways that you can refresh your resume

Ensure that your resume clearly and immediately states your career goal with a brief descriptive headline or career objective section. Adding the reason why you wish to achieve this goal is essential as it will help clarify exactly what kind of job you are looking for.

Make sure your resume reflects relevant keywords. Review current job advertisements in your career field and customise your resume with these specific words to make your resume role-focused.

Include metrics in your resume to indicate to employers how good you are or were in achieving certain goals in your jobs. For example mention the number of people you supervised and any financial goals you achieved.

Make sure your most recent job is at the top of your career history section. Add the new skills you've developed.

Cut out irrelevant details which don't suit your current career goal. Cut down older jobs and make sure the following details are included: job title, dates employed and the employer along with the city and state. Be specific on your current duties to show an employer what you are or could be responsible for in the future should they wish to engage you.

Also consider creating multiple resumes to attract individual roles. By doing this, you are showing an interest in one specific role and this will demonstrate to employers that you are not just applying for "any job".

Proofread your resume carefully to ensure it is error-free. Check your personal details are up to date and make sure it has no spelling, grammatical or punctuation mistakes.