And in these uncertain economic times, Cal State Northridge management professor Jay Christensen says it would be to wise keep your resume updated.

"Even when the economy is going smoothly, it's a good idea to keep your resume current," he said. "You can see where the holes are and keep tabs on your accomplishments."

September has been declared "International Update Your Resume Month" by the Professional Resume Writing and Research Association, and Christensen said it is the perfect time to go over your resume and see what needs to be updated.

"And don't think that a resume is just a traditional resume that you put on paper," said

Christensen, who is a certified electronic career coach with the association. "There are so many different types of resumes ‹ the traditional resume (functional, chronological, hybrid), electronic resumes, and Web portfolio resumes. And there are different kinds of ways to put together a resume. You really have to sell yourself these days."

Christensen said electronic resumes, in particular, which are posted on Internet job boards or Web sites or attached to e-mails, have changed the way a resume is put together.

"The key to electronic resumes is that they depend on key words," he said. "In traditional resumes you depend on verbs to describe what you do. But with electronic resumes you need to start thinking of nouns to describe you, your skills and your knowledge."

Christensen said an employer looking to fill an accounting position, for example, will be looking to interview someone with a certain number of years of experience, possibly in a specific area or subject and may find searching the Internet an easy option.

"Key words can be so powerful, drawing your resume out of a crowd of hundreds," he said.

Christensen said some electronic resumes are more aptly classified as Web portfolio resumes with links to separate pages on work experience, volunteer history and personal history. They may even include pictures and quotations, also known as artifacts.

He said there are software programs available on job-posting Web sites that can help someone put together an electronic resume.

"People really have to think outside the box these days when it come to resumes," he said. "People have to remember that a resume is really a selling document, the kind that sells your highest qualifications."

The key, he said, is not to overdo it.

"People should avoid exaggeration," he said "There are powerful verbs out there that can describe what you do without misleading a potential employer about your qualifications."

Regardless of whether you are looking for a job now or down the road, Christensen said it is a good idea to update your resume every three to six months.

"It helps you keep tabs on your work accomplishments and what you did to turn these accomplishments into results," he said. "Besides, in this current economy, you never know."

California State University, Northridge has more than 30,000 full- and part-time students and offers 59 bachelor's and 41 master's degrees as well as 28 education credential programs. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley and the third largest in the 23-campus CSU system. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges recently said CSUN "stands as a model to other public urban institutions of higher education."