Update Your Technical Skills and Continue your Education

A few days ago I was watching a movie and the movie was not filmed that long ago... I think it was in the late 90’s (I won’t mention the movie, because I don’t want to pay the royalty fees... lol) but it got me thinking about the technology that was used in this film (cell phones, computers and faxes... faxes??? I mean come on... who still faxes... lol)
It has been said that technology doubles every 18 months... I think it is even quicker than that now.
So the reason for this Blog is to tell everyone to revisit their resume and take out any old technology and or verbiage that is not relevant anymore (Unless it is specifically mentioned in the job description) and update your skills with formal education.
Which brings me to this question: Is your resume up to date?
Is your resume in danger of becoming outdated, just like those once-popular technologies?
The simple answer is yes of course!
The moment you lose touch with what is going on in your profession you start to make your skill set less and less appealing.
This danger is a brutal reality and very real, but there are ways that you can overcome this perceived “out of date” resume.
Here are some tips to make sure your resume does not fall prey to this:

Update your resume:

Update your resume with EACH job description you apply to.

Take notes:

You should make notes as to the companies you are applying to and what types of technologies are important to that company. As a Professional Search Consultant, it is paramount that I stay current with the latest technology trends. Knowing what’s important to my clients helps me understand what is out there and what are the technologies that are expected in this field. I’d be happy to share this anyone who is looking to update their resume.

Stay Current:

It is very important that you follow trends, social media verticals, read Blogs (such as this one) and read, read and read MORE!!!

Keep current in your chosen field:

Keeping current on your chosen field can help you and your abilities to do your job right. Continuous education is very important and should be showcased in your resume.  Just because you were an expert 15 years ago doesn’t mean you are STILL that expert
Buy into technology early and keep up with the Jones:I am one of the first to buy the latest gadgets if a new technology (Cell phone, Program, Operating System) becomes available I jump all over it, now don’t get me wrong, I’m not a guy who will stand in line at the technology store and wait over night to buy the first one... but I will be there within a few weeks after the initial excitement has subsided and the lines are gone.

Get with it:

OMG!! Even that expression is dated... see??
The point being there is a lot of tech-speak that is sometimes used for a fleeting moment and then gone the way of the Dodo Bird. So? Does it make sense to have these terms in your resume? Well it WAS... BUT make sure you revisit your resume and REMOVE them when they are no longer used or “hip” (OK... I know “Hip” is not “Cool” anymore... come to think of it... I don’t think “Cool” is the word that kids are using now-a-days either...) You don’t have to be up to speed on everything that is currently being released... just the things that matter to your specific line of work.
Ok... I’m done... I’ll step off my “soapbox”... did that just show my age? lol