Should you scrap the whole document or just tweak the margins? Knowing the difference saves you hours of frustration.
The Case for a Refresh
A “Refresh” is for you if you are staying in the same industry and your resume is already getting some traction, but the roles aren’t quite “senior” enough. You need better metrics and sharper positioning.
The Case for a Rewrite
A “Rewrite” is necessary if:
- You are pivoting to a new industry.
- You haven’t updated your resume in 2+ years.
- Your current document feels like a “history report” rather than a “marketing tool.”
Decision Matrix:
Ask: Is my target position title clear? If the target is clear but the resume isn’t clear, it’s time to refresh. If the target has changed entirely, it’s time to rewrite.
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