ALL THE THINGS

We recommend updating your career documents at various times throughout the year: at the beginning of the year, when you have received a promotion, when you have been terminated from a job, in the spring, and in the fall (September is International Résumé Month). 

You may be asking, “What career documents? I just need a résumé and cover letter.” Yes, a résumé and a cover letter are the bare minimum, and you should also add a reference list, a detailed employment history, and a social media disclosure statement. Additionally, for the purpose of applications, electronic copies or scans of your recommendation letters, education credentials, driver’s license, and passport.

Résumé

Now is the time to update your résumé ! This document should focus on the last 10-15 years of your job history within your current industry. However, take notice of how much experience the employer is requesting in the job description. If it is a senior management role that requires 15-20 years of experience, consider listing your entire career on the résumé you submit. If you have updated your résumé recently, you can use this time to complete another career document or make edits to your résumé with additional responsibilities in the past few months

You might also want to create a master résumé, which includes every job you have held. This document, which is never sent to a potential employer, could be several pages long. You will be able to copy and paste aspects of this document into a résumé to send to a potential employer.

Cover Letter

Like a great suit, everyone should have more than one cover letter. Ideally, you would write a new cover letter for each job, or at least have three or four letters that you can easily adapt to several different job postings. Have a few that are ready for a quick tweak – especially for an email message. Do not forget to put in extra effort to customize the letter for your dream job, including research specific to that employer or situation. This will help you stand out from other applicants; this applies to follow-up letters and thank-you letters as well.

Reference List

Rather than stating “reference available on request” on your résumé, have a prepared reference list. This list is a one-page document that includes three or four professional references and up to three character references. Ideally, you want to select people who would be willing to speak with a potential employer, discussing you, your achievements, and the attributes that make you the best candidate for the job at hand.

I usually add a paragraph that describes my relationship to the contact, how long they have known me, and in what capacity (mentor, supervisor, colleague, staff reporting to me) and what skills they can validate. If a written recommendation letter exists from an individual and you plan to add it to your application package, make a note of it on this list.

When was the last time you communicated with the people on your reference list? Now is an excellent time to reconnect. Find out what they are up to and fill them in on all the happenings in your life. If a colleague mentioned writing you a recommendation letter the last time you spoke, follow up on their offer. Make it easy for them by directing them to your LinkedIn profile.

Based on the blog article, ‘Spring Clean Your Career Documents,’ originally posted online by Latricia Friend on the www.personaltouchcareerservices.com blog on April 17, 2014.