Whether you’re launching a job search or not, it’s wise to spring clean your resume every year. That ensures your application materials are in good shape when you need them, making it easier to seize opportunities as they arise.

The process of spring cleaning your resume is often far easier than you’d expect. If you aren’t sure where to begin, here are four ways to spring clean your resume.

1. Remove Anything That Aged Out

Often, the first step you should take is to remove any old jobs that have effectively aged out. In most cases, your resume should only include 10 to 15 years of work history at most. Additionally, it should only showcase positions that are relevant to your career.

After you handle your job history, check the rest of the information to see if anything old needs removing. That could include lower-level college degrees if you’ve advanced your education, certifications that aren’t relevant, skills you don’t need to highlight any longer, or affiliations you didn’t maintain.

2. Update Bullet Points to Make Them Achievement-Oriented

Outside of the skills section of a resume, every bullet point should showcase your capabilities by discussing a relevant achievement. While simply discussing your duties was once the norm for resumes, that hasn’t been the go-to approach for some time. If yours isn’t achievement-focused, take the time to update it.

Also, make sure you add new accomplishments that aren’t on your resume yet. Along the way, quantify the details whenever possible. Numbers stand out visually and provide critical context, making them a wise addition to your resume.

3. Do a Keywords Check, Adjusting Your Resume Accordingly

The keywords professionals need to feature to land an exciting opportunity change with some regularity. For example, capabilities that were spelled out during their early days may not be referred to using acronyms instead. Similarly, references to certain technologies may become less relevant over time, while others become increasingly sought out by hiring managers.

Ideally, you want to review your keyword usage to see if your approach aligns with today’s standards. One easy way to compare is to look for a few job openings that align with your current position, as well as several that represent the next step on your career path. That gives you a solid overview of what hiring managers are seeking, making it easier to catch their attention.

4. Ditch the Objective Statement (and Replace It with a Professional Summary)

If your resume still features an objective statement, it’s time to remove it. While those were once a staple of any professional-level resume, hiring manager preferences changed some years ago. Now, it’s better to go with a professional summary, allowing you to highlight what you bring to the table and craft a compelling value proposition right at the top of your resume.

Are You Looking For A New Job?

Ultimately, the spring cleaning resume tips above will help you get this critical application document ready, ensuring you can use it with ease should the need arise. If you’d like to find out more or are seeking new opportunities, the staff at VB wants to hear from you. Contact us today.