An up-to-date resume, complete with relevant career information, professional certifications, and other details is crucial to a successful job search. Don't make the mistake of waiting until after you've left a position to update your resume: the best time to do it is always NOW. Here are some proven strategies to make the task easier:

1) GATHER PERTINENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND SUCCESSES FOR YOUR MOST RECENT JOB

When analyzing the resumes of potential candidates, recruiters/hiring agents place the greatest amount of focus on what you've done most recently. Make sure you shine in this area by utilizing the following format:

-Start your most recent position with 3-4 lines (in paragraph form) describing UNIQUE responsibilities. Did you train and/or guide cross-functional staff? Maintain critical systems? Did you improve Quality standards, or aggressively control costs? Think in terms of what sets you apart, and avoid listing common tasks such as attending meetings, etc.

-Beneath this should come a "Key Accomplishments" section or similar listing CONCRETE SUCCESSES. Did you complete a major project ahead of schedule? Identify a new business opportunity? Did you deliver hands-on staff training? The more powerful these accomplishments are, the better your chances of garnering an interview. Always include metrics if available.

Note: A good rule of thumb is to use the above approach for the last 3 positions you've worked. Older positions should be abbreviated or consolidated within an "Additional Experience" section.

2) CREATE AN OPENING SECTION

The best (and easiest) way to adapt to changing career needs is to create a 2-5 line opening paragraph DEMONSTRATING key attributes. This way, additional skills can be easily swapped in without necessitating a full resume overhaul. Here's an example of an effective opening section:

"Versatile leader adept at identifying new market opportunities and executing initiatives resulting in unprecedented revenue gains. Able to excel in challenging economies via market segmentation strategies and rigorous cost containment. Noted for ability to successfully manage union labor, improve training methods, and establish top-tier quality and safety standards."

Any one of the skills listed above can be changed in accordance with the specific position the candidate might be targeting. Also, awards and professional certifications can be mentioned at the tail end.

3) UTILIZE A SINGLE VERSION OF YOUR RESUME

Nothing makes resume updating more difficult that having to integrate new information across multiple files. Not only does this waste time and increase the likelihood of errors, it's also been shown to be an ineffective job search strategy. Instead, utilize a SINGLE version adhering to the following structure:

-An opening section.

-A "Core Competencies" section listing in-demand keywords. This is critical, as Applicant Tracking Systems such as Taleo and Kenexa are specifically designed to look for certain words on a candidate's resume.

-A work history listed in REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL order (most recent through least). Try not to go past the 12-15 year mark.

-Brief closing sections listing education, professional certifications, affiliations, etc.

Anish Majumdar is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Owner at Resume Orbit. 95% of clients report a significant increase in interviews within 30 days, and all work comes backed by a 100% Satisfaction or Money Back Guarantee (in writing).

Please submit your existing resume for a FREE CRITIQUE http://resumeorbit.com/free_critique.php spanning structure, language, and content.