Once upon a time, resumes were a dull, dry recitation of employment history presented in reverse chronological order; listing dates of service and putting HR staff to sleep with boring bullets that read like mundane job descriptions. At the very bottom was Education, with some job-seekers drilling down as far as high school, where they won an award for perfect attendance.

If you are relying on yesterday’s resume to get your foot in the door for tomorrow’s job, I have one word for you: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

The time to renovate your resume is before you begin your job search. You should always have an up-to-date resume on hand in case opportunity knocks.

I love the challenge of creating resumes. People are often uncomfortable “boasting” about their accomplishments. I, on the other hand, relish tooting someone’s horn to their very best advantage.

When you fill out a job app, you are constrained by questions that require you to tell prospective employers what they want to know about you. By contrast, a resume shares what you want them to know.

That’s a monumental difference. Your resume need not – should not – fit into a cookie-cutter template. It should reflect you. You can choose to showcase Areas of Expertise, Core Competencies, Major Accomplishments and other aspects of your career experience that proudly proclaim the value you will bring to your new position.

Recently, I completed a resume for a woman who felt stuck in her job but worried that she did not have the wherewithal to obtain something better. Upon reading her renovated resume, she was ecstatic, saying, “For the first time in a long time, today I feel really good about being me!” I’m sure she will propel that confidence forward into an exciting new job.

So remember: It’s not just a remodeled resume. It’s a fresh approach to your life.