Your C-suite resume is top of mind when you embark on or are in the middle of an executive job transition, but what about after you’ve selected and begun your next opportunity? Does it end up out of sight and out of mind until your next change in employment? It’s easy to forget about your executive resume while you’re happily employed because you don’t need it every day.
There are a few obvious times when you’re likely to think about updating your C-suite resume:
- When you start a new job.
- When you get promoted.
- When you get laid off.
These events all spark the idea that you should update your resume. However, what if your next job transition is 5–10 years down the road? Think of all the things you’ve accomplished in that amount of time! Suddenly you’re challenged with the immense task of identifying and quantifying years’ worth of results.
How to Keep Your C-Suite Resume Ready to Go
Think of maintaining your C-suite resume like you maintain your car. Regular maintenance is key to a well-functioning, useful vehicle. Depending on your climate, you might need to get your tires changed twice a year. Similarly, your C-level resume requires maintenance to be worthwhile. It is a working document and should be revisited regularly, ideally at least twice each year. In the meantime, keep ongoing weekly, biweekly, or monthly lists of the following:
- Your major projects and accomplishments. Add quantifiable data when you have it.
- Classes, seminars, and conferences that you attend.
- Certifications, degrees, and designations you acquire.
- Skills that you develop or gain.
Ultimately, the best time to update your resume is when you don’t need it. Scrambling frantically to update your c-level resume if you suddenly face an unexpected job transition can be too much pressure. Keeping your resume in your mind and regularly updating it can significantly reduce stress during a career transition.
To find out how we can help you bring your C-suite resume up to speed, book a complimentary and confidential call with us here.
