The other day colleague (honored to say) Meg Guiseppi of Executive Career Branding (dot) com reminded me September is International Update Your Resume month. I almost missed it.
Meg agreed, it's no longer enough to update your resume annually. I believe there are at least three other actions you might want to take before you edit your defenseless resume. It applies to Meg's C-level clients and you and me. This article is about updating YOU first.
Update #1 - You and your identity
Master marketer, Seth Godin, way ahead of the rest of us, in the early 90s, when his sister asked Seth what he thought of her resume, he replied, "You are your resume!" The importance of Social Media (Networking) dictates your online and offline identity trumping your resume. Google your full name. Mine is Stephen Q Shannon. My "street name" is Steve Shannon. Thousands of "Steve Shannons". Only one Stephen Q Shannon or Stephen Quinby Shannon actively using that "handle", other than my Dad, deceased. There are many George Smiths and whole lot less "George Allen Smiths" and fewer still, "George Allen "Wrench" Smith. If it is true 85% of pro recruiters "Google" the name you put on your resume, be sure you are the "one and only". If you don't exist, recruiters will exclude you. One less resume.
Update #2 - You and your orphaned LinkedIn Profile
It is estimated only 40% of the 250 million-plus LI profiles are optimized and fewer than that are intensely optimized. No picture or an amateur image of you against distracting background with your head turned to your right (away from the text) says, clearly, you don't get it. According to widely accepted (does not make it right) research, you have 6.5 seconds to grab LinkedIn "face time" when someone clicks on your Profile. Professionally update your LI Profile to match your job level and don't forget to manage your privacy settings. Prevent LinkedIn software from broadcasting every tweak. Otherwise, not cool.
Update #3 - You and your connections list
It's not about quantity. It's about engagement. If you have 500+ connections on LinkedIn you might be surprised by negatives associated with that metric. One hundred active advocates crushes 500+ people you've never heard of. Quarterly, cull your connections (they won't know) and finally link up with those new people you meant to add and didn't. Test - When was the last time you voluntarily called or e-mailed (touched base) with someone who will be one of the first you call if you get laid off Friday?
Updating you first, then your resume, is akin to Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty as Harvey Mackay nails it in his iconic networking "bible" with the same title. Google your full name identity and, if necessary, include your public nickname; get back on LinkedIn now and at least 10 minutes every 168 hours; and weed out and freshen your connections who matter to you and vice-versa.
And now learn a little more about who I am and why am I writing the way I am writing via http://www.linkedin.com/in/steveqshannoncareertrainer/ I personally answer all e-mails.
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