Why you should revamp your resume before the summer is over

Why you should revamp your resume before the summer is overWhy you should revamp your resume before the summer is overCan you believe that its already July? Not even the beginning of July, but mid July? It seems like the summer is flying by, and before you know it, well be heading into fall and the holiday season. Its always better to work on your resume sooner rather than later, which is just one reason why you should revamp your resume before the summer is over.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreHave you ever stumbled upon an opportunity too great to pass up, only to find out that you need to apply for it as quick as possible? People find themselves in this situation more often that one might expect, and if you dont have your resume updated and on hand, it could create a big problem.89% of Glassdoor users are actively looking for a new job or would consider better opportunities. If youre one of the majority, this reason alone is why you should revamp your resume before the summer is over. If that isnt enough, here are a few other factors that might persuade you to update this important document.You never know what will happen or who youll meetPart of further developing your career is about being open to new opportunities and networking with the right people when you have the chance.You never know who youll meet or where youll meet them, but if you do meet a person with a connection, being proactive and having a killer resume to send them right away will greatly benefit you.If you want to cultivate relationships and establish trust, communicate clearly and in a timely manner. This means having a resume ready and on hand with all of your updated information. If someone feels as though they are waiting on you or have to hunt you down to get a hold of your resume, their interest will likely wane.Its much easier to add information as you go than remember informa tion about past jobsOne of the biggest problems people make when writing s resume is elend including specific metrics or achievements.Subjective terms and clichs are seen as negative because they dont convey real information. For instance, dont say you are results-driven show the employer your actual results, says Rosemary Haefner, previous vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder.It is absolutely important to highlight the specifics of your role, however if youre only highlighting the job description and not your achievements, your resume will not be as effective as it could be. (Read this article to help you craft the perfect job description for your resume)The longer you wait to update your resume, the harder it will be to recall specific information and achievements about your current or past job(s).A good rule of thumb is to add a new job to your resume right as you start. Chances are you will have a job description given to you by HR, which will make it easy, and wil l help you out immensely in the long run.Same thing with new responsibilities and skills adding them into your document as they come along ensures that you wont forget about them later.You can always edit your resume to be more clear and concise, but finding previous material, descriptions, and project information is much harder. The sooner you start working on your resume, the easier it will be.Revamping your resume doesnt automatically mean that youre not happy in your current roleThere seems to be a stigma that you must be unhappy where you are if you are working on your resume, however this is absolutely not the case. Being proactive about your resume will benefit you by preparing you for the unknown, and giving you a leg up when the time does come for a new opportunity.Ensuring that youre ready for new opportunities when they arise is one of the reasons why you should revamp your resume before the summer is over.Writing about yourself if tough. Its hard to remember and highligh t specific information that reflects all youve achieved, but biting the bullet and revamping your resume is key to a successful career.It might not be your ideal way to spend the evening, but you should revamp your resume before the summer is over so that you can feel confident in the document you have on hand, and be prepared going into fall in case your dream opportunity arises.Michele Lando is a certified professional resume writer, personal branding expert, and founder of Write Styles. She has a passion for helping others present the best version of themselves both on paper and in person, and works to polish individuals application package and personal style. Aiming to help create a perfect personal branding package, Write Styles provides resources to enhance your resume, professional appearance, and boost your confidence. Michele strives to help others gain the confidence to put their best foot forward in a personal and professional light.This article first appeared on Write St yles.

7 New Job Search Trends Youll Want to Know

7 New Job Search Trends Youll Want to Know7 New Job Search Trends Youll Want to KnowAs work flexibility and technology continues to grow and change the workplace, job seekers will find new job search trends that are taking over old methods. From ditching geographical restrictions to spending more time making informal but close connections, job seekers can stay ahead of the game by keeping their eye on emerging trends. Some of the hottest trends taking the job market by storm are listed below.Here are seven new job search trends youll want to start applying to your search1. Remote WorkIts no secret that remote work continues to grow, and the growth is triggering significant changes in the workforce. Rather than cousine your search on your geographical area, use remote work and work flexibility to expand your search. Even if the job isnt advertised as being flexible, the company might be and likely willing to work with you.2. Social Media Job SearchingWe all know that social media is e ssential in a job search, especially for networking and getting your information in front of recruiters. Now, however, social media is become a popular platform for searching for new jobs as companies use social media more to share their open positions.3. Informal NetworkingSure, networking events are still very useful when job searching. However, more informal forms of networking are going to take over. Rather than spending hours at large events, youll likely catch coffee with former coworkers, send out emails, or offer support through social media.4. Video CommunicationWith people located all over the world and the increase in remote working, video communication platforms are going to take over more traditional forms of communication. Interviews, even with local companies, might be held over video. The same goes with chats with coworkers as you all participate in flexible work programs.5. Reverse Reference ChecksJob seekers provide references, and employers are checking them out. Part of these new job search trends is the use of reverse reference checks of companies performed by job seekers. Rather than taking a firms aber ja on the job, culture, and environment, job seekers are now looking to gather information through other means, including talking to current or prior employees of the company.6. Importance of SkillsIn a workforce that has become flatter in terms of management, skills are gaining new influence. Rather than only focusing on the experience and education you have, employers will be looking at skills that can be used in the position you applied for and how they can be used elsewhere.7. Design Your CareerJob seekers have more control over their careers now than they ever have before. Rather than taking a job because it pays well, professionals are able to find a job they enjoy with a company that matches their values and personality. Heres a secret employers support this since they too are looking for that perfect fit.In addition to work flexibi lity and technology driving the job market, so are the companies that are embracing new ways of work and the professionals looking to find meaning and balance in their lives. As you conduct your search, keep the these job search trends in mind to make the most of your time and efforts.Wondering which companies are offering work flexibility? Check out the top 100 companies offering remote jobs.Readers, what other job search trends have you heard of or used? Share your job search tips with us below

Obama on what the Situation Room and hard decisions

Obama on what the Situation Room and hard decisionsObama on what the Situation Room and hard decisionsWhen Barack Obama had to make big decisions during his time as president, he would assemble a team to confer with him in the White House Situation Room.From there, he used a set of specific guidelines to help him make a decision, Obama told the crowd attending a Wednesday tech conference in Las Vegas hosted by the identity-security company Okta.When asked by Okta CEO Todd McKinnon about his system for instituting change, and how he ensured that folks werent just being yes men, Obama gave an answer that welches full of advice anyone could use when trying to make hard decisions.When Obama was first elected into office in 2008, the global economy was crashing. He and his team had to step in and make a bunch of decisions, some of them unpopular, in hopes of changing the course of the country. By the time he left office eight years later, the economy was purring again. And in between, he dealt with everything from the military strike that killed Osama bin Laden to an outbreak of Ebola that threatened to spread to the US.1. Listen to the people who will be most affected by the changeBefore you start wanting to change everything, spend time talking to people you want to change or whose lives are going to be disrupted, Obama said. The goal isnt to warn them or persuade them but to understand them.If they feel heard and youve established a rapport, he said, you have a better gelegenheit of getting them on board with the change and to be partners to make the new plan successful. So listening is a good starting point, he said.2. Realize theres no right answer - its about weighing the oddsI used to describe the nature of the presidency as having to make decisions about issues that nobody else could solve or are basically insolvable or at least not perfectly solvable, he said. By definition, if a problem had an obvious solution to it, somebody else would have solved it bef ore it got to me.Obama said that facing issues nobody beneath him had figured out a solution for meant he was usually working on probabilities, whether it was the bin Laden raid, or do we bail out Chrysler when its hugely unpopular and its not sure the auto company will make it, or, how do we approach dealing with Ebola?3. Seek out the naysayersObviously, before you decide, do your best to gather the best information possible.Once youve got it, you need to gather diverse opinions from people who can argue all the sides, he said.4. Get outside the bubble of people who are supposed to advise youObama says a lot of big decisions were made in the Situation Room.If you were in the Situation Room, the way it would work is youve got some big kahunas sitting around the table, he said. This may include the secretaries of state and defense, the CIA director, the national security adviser, and a bunch of generals he said, look tough and important.Naturally, they all gave their two cents, and t hey red-teamed it, he described, meaning the group tested all the assumptions.Invariably, in the outer ring of the room, thered be a whole bunch of people, often younger but not always, and they had the big binders and theyre doing stuff and taking notes - and those are the people who are actually doing the work, he quipped, and the audience rewarded him with a laugh.Id point to someone in the back and say, you, what do you think? And theyd be shocked that I called on them, he said. And because the person hadnt prepped a response, Obama said, the person would answer honestly.Part of the way I was able to ensure people were not telling me just what I want to hear, was to deliberately reach outside the bubble of the obvious decision makers, he said.5. Test your B.S. detectorEvery leader has strengths and weakness, and one of my strengths is a good B.S. detector, Obama said. But he mucksmuschenstill tested that people were doing their part and not just agreeing with what he said or te lling him what he wanted to hear. If someone agreed with his idea, he said, he would tell them that he had changed his mind and then grill the person on why the idea was still the best option.6. Insist that people deliver bad news quickly and are not punished for honest mistakesObamas final guideline is this He always insisted that people deliver bad news quickly. And that meant he couldnt punish the messenger.No one in my White House ever got in trouble for screwing up as long there wasnt malicious intent behind it, he said.And he couldnt resist throwing a bit of shade aimed at the current administration, as well as some in years gone by, like Nixons.And there wasnt any malicious intent, which is why I didnt have scandals. Which seems like it shouldnt be something you brag about, he joked. But actually, if you look at the history of the modern presidency, coming out of the modern presidency without anybody going to jail, is really good. Its a big deal.People used to ask me, Why was I calm during the presidency? In addition to being from Hawaii, which really helped (were just chill), he joked, part of the reason is I set up processes. So by the time I made a decision, I might not get the outcome I wanted, but it might be a 51-49 decision or a 60-40 decision, but I can say I heard all the voices involved - gotten all the info, seen all the perspectives - so when I made decision, I was making it as well as anybody could make it.This article first appeared on Business Insider.