Rebrand Your Assets Refresh Your Resume

Rebrand Your Assets: Refresh Your Resume

By Kimberly Wargin, SOA staff editor

Change is a good thing. It comes in many forms, often without notice and usually with a bit of risk attached. Change is not easy. However, consider the opportunities.

Impact is key. Your resume is a compilation of current accomplishments and past experiences. The goal at this point is to get those accomplishments noticed to land the interview. You probably have a lot of questions: “What are companies looking for in a candidate? What can I do to set my resume apart from the rest? Who can I talk to about updating my resume?” You may already know the answers, but just in case, below are a number of approaches to consider before you redo your resume:

Reinvent yourself
You were designed with unique qualities that set you apart from everyone else. Make the most of your individuality when considering the “big picture.” Where do you want to be in the next 10 years, 15 years? Whatever your situation, change is the key.
“Change the way you see things and the things you see will change”
-Dr. Wayne Dyer

Set your standards higher than you are accustomed—consider the possibilities. As you contemplate where you are in relation to where you want to be, below are a few ideas to keep your focus “outside the box.”
- Realize your full potential. It’s never too late to learn a new skill. Raise the bar a notch on current competencies—personal and professional.
  - Search the Web for quick, effective tips—check out “A Brand Called You” on the actuary@work Web page.
  - Open up the latest issue of The Stepping Stone. This is one of the SOA’s best-kept secrets and your personal guide to professional development
  - Pick up the latest and hottest “how-to” book. Visit the Reading Room on the actuary@work Web page for some ideas.
- Transfer the new you onto paper. After working through a bit of self-evaluation, how does the new you complement the current you? How do you transfer this information into a working resume? These steps are going to take time, so allow yourself as much time as you need. This isn’t just a race—it’s a marathon. A few ideas that will help you maintain your focus within this process
  - Hire a career coach. Take the opportunity to allow yourself to see the big picture from someone else’s perspective. What do you have to lose?
  - Update your vision. Adapting to change indicates resiliency. We all have a life plan
    
    “Create something new. Change yourself, then notice everything change.”
    -James Allen, As a Man Thinketh
  - Stay true to yourself. There is no right or wrong way. It’s your way
Research, research, research
You should prepare a resume for each organization you plan to approach. Not every organization speaks the same language. Your resume(s) should reflect the current culture of each organization.
- Market yourself. Contact a colleague currently working at the organization of your choice to discuss the culture, language, expectations, etc. The idea is to acquire as much information as possible.
- Adapt to the new environment before you get the interview. You want to think like an employee of that organization before you become an employee of that organization.Surf the Web for articles written on your company of choice. Check out where they’ve been and where they are headed. Pick up a few key buzzwords and adapt them to your vocabulary.
- Contact an advanced placement search firm. They’ve done their homework. Ask specific questions about what organizations would like to find in a candidate.
Reformat the look
You’re ready to update your resume. Before you begin, compile all the information you’ve acquired and replace old phrases with new concepts.
1. Use clear, concise phrasing.
2. Incorporate those key buzzwords you found in your research.
3. Keep it simple.
4. List solid achievements in leadership roles, collaborative efforts and strategizing.
Reinforcements
If all is said and done and you still have a sense of uncertainty about your new and improved resume, additional help is out there to provide a fresh perspective:
1. Surf the Web for additional articles on resume writing. There are a number of Web sites saturated with useful information.
2. Visit your local bookstore for the latest “how to” book on resume writing for an in-depth analysis.
3. Hire a professional to write your resume.

Let’s face it. Writing or rewriting a resume is a daunting task. This is the reality.
We’re all given less than a minute to make a lasting impression. Make it count!

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