Ways a resume can be helpful outside of a job search

I've been thinking about the times when a customer asked me to write a resume for reasons other than starting a job search. Resumes can do a surprising amount of heavy lifting.

1. Want to join the board of directors for a non-profit? I once had a customer reach out specifically for a resume that would impress the leadership of a green energy non-profit. Every member of the board would be receiving a copy of his resume ahead of their vote.

2. Interested in volunteering as a mentor for a youth leadership program? Mentors are often required to apply to these programs with an up-to-date resume. They'll go through a formal interview process, just like with a regular job. They'll need to show how their experience could be beneficial to future mentees.

3. It's happened several times to my customers where they were recommended for a promotion or a professional opportunity because of the resume they used to join their organization. A manager or HR leader would pull up the older resume already on file, and then they'd reach out to my customer with the news.

4. We often forget that resumes are legal documents and can be used to protect against liability. Legal teams can submit resumes in court to establish credibility or demonstrate character. Anyone who's ever been in divorce court knows the importance of an accurate and up-to-date resume.

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