September is International Update Your Resume Month: Is Your Professional Story Current?

September marks International Update Your Resume Month, a timely reminder to keep your professional story current. Your resume and LinkedIn profile aren’t just networking tools; they’re reflections of your skills, achievements, and growth. Yet, many professionals only update them sporadically, which can mean missed opportunities for career advancement.

To see how people approach this, we asked: How often do you update your resume or LinkedIn profile?

Here’s what our poll revealed:

Only when job hunting – 51%

The largest group waits until a career transition prompts a refresh. While understandable, this reactive approach can mean achievements or new skills are forgotten, leaving your resume or LinkedIn profile less impactful when opportunities arise. It’s a reminder that career management is most effective when it’s ongoing, not just event-driven.

Regularly (every few months) – 35%

About a third of respondents are proactive about maintaining their professional profiles. Updating regularly ensures accomplishments are captured while they’re fresh, projects are documented, and your skills remain visible to recruiters and peers. These professionals are positioning themselves for continuous growth, networking, and new opportunities, even when they aren’t actively job hunting.

Once every few years – 9%

A small percentage of respondents only update every few years. This approach may work for some, but it risks missing emerging trends in your field or underrepresenting recent accomplishments. Employers and recruiters increasingly value real-time relevance, so infrequent updates can put candidates at a disadvantage.

Never – 4%

A tiny portion of respondents never update their profiles. While some may not be actively seeking new opportunities, keeping your professional story current—even minimally—can open unexpected doors, whether through networking, speaking engagements, or industry recognition.

Why Updating Your Resume Matters

Even if you’re not seeking a new role, keeping your resume and LinkedIn profile current helps you:

• Capture achievements while they’re fresh

• Stay visible to recruiters and industry peers

• Identify skills gaps and professional development opportunities

• Make networking more impactful with up-to-date talking points

Tips to Stay Ahead

1. Schedule quarterly “resume refresh” sessions.

2. Add measurable results to your accomplishments.

3. Update your LinkedIn with new projects, certifications, or leadership roles.

4. Ask peers or mentors for feedback on your profile.

This September, don’t wait for a job search to remind you. Make it a habit to keep your professional story ready for any opportunity, because you never know when the right one might appear!