Resume - Relic or Revelation

Keeping your resume up-to-date is crucial. If you let it sit untouched, updating it later can be a real headache. Make small, frequent changes so you’re always ready when it’s time to move on. Don’t wait until the last minute—stay prepared and avoid scrambling when opportunity knocks.

Here is a very interesting course on LinkedIn, How to Skimm Your Career: Job-hunting Tips and Tricks that made so much sense and something I can recommend to any job seeker. I’ve often wondered why some resumes are written in the third person. Maybe it’s because people hire someone else to do it, but if you’re paying for help, they should really tell your story right. It’s like talking to someone who keeps referring to themselves by name—it feels weird and disconnected, like the candidate isn’t really involved in their own resume.

The tricky part comes in with the above LinkedIn learning that teaches you the following.

1. Don't objectify.
2. Don't state the obvious.
3. Avoid personal pronouns.
4. There is no I on a resume.
5. Avoid phrases like hard worker, ambitious, highly qualified, extensive experience, team player and people person.
6. Hit the ground running.
7. Think outside the box.

Writing a resume can be tricky, especially if you’re trying to avoid third-person language and the word "I." The key is to tell your story clearly and keep your audience engaged without sounding overly sentimental. Tailor your resume to each job you apply for, focusing on the most relevant details.

Remember, you can’t include everything. The rule of thumb is to keep your resume to 1 or 2 pages. Highlight what you’ve done without overwhelming the reader with too much information.

This brought on another topic of how to refer to your piece of paper that showcases your work experience. I was under the impression CV and resume is six of one and half a dozen of the other. Apparently not!

• Resume: Commonly used term. It’s a concise document (typically 1-2 pages) that highlights a person’s skills, experience, and education relevant to a specific job.
• CV (Curriculum Vitae): Used mainly in academic, medical, and research contexts. It’s a more detailed document that includes a full history of a person’s academic and professional achievements.

Wait it gets better! If you're writing for an international or American audience, "resume" might be more familiar, while "CV" is the term you'd use in South Africa, the UK, and other Commonwealth countries. Latin roots: Curriculum" translates to "course" or "career," and "vitae" means "life." Together, they describe the course of one’s life, particularly in the professional and academic sense.

One thing that has been a saving grace for me is my openness to new ideas and willingness to explore uncharted waters. In my role, I review a vast number of resumes, giving me a solid understanding of what’s out there. This experience has led me to wonder how I can raise awareness about better ways to showcase who you are. There’s always room for improvement, so keep challenging the status quo and get creative with how you sell yourself.

In the end, always keep your resume fresh and simple. Craft it like a story that leaves a lasting impression—engaging, memorable, and true to you. Remember, it’s not just about what you’ve done, but how you present it. Make your choices wisely, and let your unique narrative shine through. After all, your resume is your personal brand’s first impression—make it count and stand out.