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New Year: time to update your resume!

© Annemarie Cross

With 2005 well underway, many of you may have taken the time to ponder over the past year either to re-evaluate your current position, or just to reflect on the milestones that 2004 has seen. Now is also a good opportunity to update your resume so that it's current and ready to go should an unexpected situation arise within your existing role, or an attractive job opportunity presents itself.

With our demanding lifestyles and work schedules it's so easy to leave the process of reassessing and updating your resume until the last minute, which can unfortunately increase the possibility of achievements and contributions being forgotten. Keeping your resume up to date, or at least transcribing your successes and achievements over the past year (and filing this information for later addition into your document), will ensure that impressive projects, turnarounds and workplace achievements are not omitted from your crucial marketing tool - your resume.

Consider those things that have happened during the past year of which you are particularly proud, that when presented correctly can add to your marketability and overall value you offer a prospective employer.

To get the thought processes flowing, below are a few examples of what you may have achieved during 2004:

- Were you selected to participate in any special projects? This would highlight your being singled out due to your expertise in a particular area. You may have coordinated all or part of the project, which would demonstrate impressive leadership qualities. What impact did this project have for the organization? Did this special project lead to additional products/services being offered and if so, what was the revenue growth for the year?

- Did you enhance your knowledge and skills through special training/professional development opportunities? Did you lead training programs for your staff and/or colleagues? How has this knowledge expansion impacted on the organization?

- Was your hard work recognized by the organization through an award? If so, what was the reason for your award and how did your work ultimately impact the company?

- Did you recommend any changes to policies, processes and procedures that have eliminated inefficiencies and/or improved staffing/operational performance? This is a great achievement and demonstrates initiative and problem solving ability and an ongoing commitment to improving overall efficiency and bottom line profitability - an area that all companies strive to achieve.

- What challenges were you confronted with during the year, and what steps did you take to alleviate these challenges? Are you able to reflect the overall outcome in a way that has positively impacted on the organization?