Experts say you should refresh your resume regularly to make sure your skills remain up-to-date—so that when you need a current resume in a hurry you won’t overlook an accomplishment you’ve made or new skill you’ve acquired. Regardless of where you are in your career, a little spring cleaning now can spruce up your resume so that when you need it next it will be an accurate reflection of your abilities.

We know from our own research that nearly 40% of the workforce intends to look for a new job in the next year. Frequent job changes are a reality of today’s labor market, and a resume in mint condition is vital to landing your next position. Here are a few things you can do to ensure yours is sterling!

• Audit your current resume.
  Look over your existing resume and identify accomplishments that would be beneficial to any employer in any field. With the current talent shortage expected to get worse, many employers are looking for basic, transferable skills that are important regardless of the job. These can include management experience, good presentation or communication skills, or ability to interact with C-level executives.
• Use the right resume format.
  Determine whether your experience and skills are best showcased in a functional or chronological resume format. Chronological resumes are effective for workers who have a wealth of experience in one field or industry because they present qualifications in reverse chronological order. Employers can easily and quickly see your credentials for the job. On the other hand, if you are changing careers, are re-entering the workforce, are a mature worker, or have changed jobs frequently, consider using a functional resume. This format highlights your skills and contributions rather than presenting information by date or job title. For tips on how to write chronological or functional resumes, visit our Career Center.
• Write a short summary. 
  A great summary is the key to getting noticed. If your resume is a product description to help market you to a prospective employer, think of the summary as your elevator pitch. A succinct, well-written summary at the top of your resume immediately tells the reader what you have to offer in just two or three short sentences. If you are changing careers, make sure your summary focuses on the skills and experience that are relevant to the new position you are seeking—not to jobs you’ve previously held.
• Tailor your resume for the job.
  Rather than taking the “one size fits all” approach, look at the new job opportunity you are seeking. Identify who the audience is and what the job requires, and customize your resume appropriately. For example, if you’re applying for a sales position, make sure your expertise and skills in sales are highlighted up front, and add sales-specific buzz words to your summary. If you are unsure about industry terminology or buzz words, look up sample resumes or job advertisements for hints.
• What have you done for me lately?
  Employers are interested in your previous experience and skills, but they also want to know what you have contributed to the bottom line. Throughout your resume, weave in actual results from your previous jobs—such as dollar amounts saved or generated for the company, percentage increases or amount of time saved by implementing more efficient processes.

With spring in the air, now’s a great time to spruce up your resume so that you’ll be ready for any opportunity that comes along!