When I asked ChatGPT why job seekers often start a job search by updating a resume, it said the following:

“Updating their resume at the beginning of their job search allows the job seeker to:

1. Reflect on their career: It gives them an opportunity to reflect on their career goals, accomplishments, and experience.

2. Highlight their strengths: By updating their resume, job seekers can emphasize their most relevant skills and experience for the job they're interested in.”

I will argue that you should not do that when updating your resume. You should be doing that before you update your resume.

Why Job Seekers Start A Job Search With A Resume Update?

I have talked to many job seekers as a career coach. When we get on a Zoom call, they often come to me asking for help with a resume. When I dig into their career goals, I often find they cannot articulate the following:

1. What they want to do

2. What they offer which will be valued by employers

I tell them that I cannot write a resume for them if they do not know the answers to those questions.

A resume is a document summarizing a person's education, work experience, skills, and achievements. It gives employers an idea of whether the person is a good fit for the role or not. It can help you stand out from other candidates and make a good impression on the employer.

So if you don’t know the education, work experience, skills, and achievements that align with the work you want to do, since you don’t know what that is 

OR 

You don’t know the education, work experience, skills, or achievements that will be valued by the types of employers that would be of interest. You have some work to do.

Many people start with updating a resume because 1) you have to have one, and 2) it seems like an activity that you will get a high return on investment in your time.

For many people, the best return on investment is to start by figuring out the next step in your career.

What You Should Be Doing Instead

Job seekers should engage in some "mind work" before writing a resume. I know this is really off-putting to some. Yet, I have repeatedly seen that those who take the time to think about who they are and what they want to do BEFORE taking any other action have been more successful in finding not a j-o-b, but a job where they can thrive.

So what should you do? Well, it depends on what is happening in your career.

Don’t Know What You Want To Do Next

Many people know their present job is not a good fit. They can’t see themselves continuing on their present career path. Yet, they don’t know what to do instead. How can you write a resume to position yourself for a job that you don’t even know what it is? The answer is rather impossible.

So first, you need to understand who you are.

• Consider your skills and strengths: Think about your skills, talents, and strengths. What are you good at? What do others compliment you on? This can help you start exploring potential career fields that align with your abilities. If you don’t know what you're good at, then ask others or take assessments to give you direction.

• What are your values?: We talk a lot about culture alignment, but an important part of thriving in one’s career is having an alignment of values between you and an employer. Do you know what your non-negotiable values are? Now is the time to understand them, so you can find employers that are on the same page.

• Identify your interests: Take some time to think about the activities you enjoy and the topics you find interesting. This can help you identify potential career fields that you will find engaging.

Once you have this information, then you should be doing the following, a step a see job seekers omit:

• Conduct informational interviews: Reach out to people who work in fields that interest you and ask if you can ask them questions about their work. This can help you learn more about the day-to-day responsibilities of a particular job and determine whether you would like it.

You Know What You Want To Do, But Not What Sets You Apart

If this is the case, you need to reflect on your strengths, skills, experiences, and accomplishments. What you offer will be different than what others offer, because we are all different as humans. You need to understand this before you write your resume, as you will then know what content to put on your resume that demonstrates your unique value.

Before you start typing words on your resume, here is some question to ponder.

• What education or training do I have that an employer will consider valuable? Think about any degrees, certifications, or other specialized training you've completed that are relevant to the jobs you want. 

• What skills or experience would an employer consider relevant? Consider the skills and experience you have that would be of interest to an employer. Do you have something unique that most people in the field do not have?

• What are your relevant accomplishments? Think about any significant accomplishments or achievements you've had in your career. These could include successful projects you've led, awards you've received, or any measurable results you've achieved in previous roles. Write them all down and then ask yourself which ones employers in my field would care about. Don’t know? Do some research.

• Do you have any unique personality traits? Consider any qualities that could make you stand out to potential employers. These could include things like your entrepreneurial outlook, leadership skills, attention to detail, or even empathy for others.

While the following question is less relevant for writing a resume, understanding it can help you make wise choices about which employers you want to work with.

• What are your values and personal motivations? Consider your personal values and what motivates you in your career. Understanding your values and motivations can help you identify career opportunities that are more likely to be a good fit for you and lead to long-term career fulfillment.

Job searching can be daunting, especially when you're not sure what you want to do or what sets you apart from other candidates. But here's the good news: you already have the answers within you! With some reflection and self-discovery, you can identify your unique strengths, skills, and experiences that make you stand out to potential employers. This can lead to exciting career opportunities that align with your goals and values. 

So don't be discouraged if you're not sure where to start - take some time to do the mind work and figure out what you want and what makes you unique. The journey may not be easy, but it will be worth it when you find a career that brings you joy and fulfillment. 

Shelley Piedmont is a job search coach. She wants to help job seekers put their best foot forward by providing the tools for a successful job search. If you need career coaching, resume strategy, interview skills assessment, or LinkedIn profile assistance, she can help. Schedule a 15-minute no-obligation consultation.