U: The One Thing You Must UNDERSTAND About Resume Writing.
As I get closer to completing this series, it is getting harder and harder to come up with new and interesting subjects that are worth writing more than 300 words about. I have to admit, I struggled with today’s post. There are just not enough “good” words starting with the letter “u” that I could tie to resume writing. So I chose to go with the word understand.
In today’s career search, so much emphasis is placed on resume writing, because let’s face it, more times than not, you are going to need a resume at some point in the career search process. Even if you do not need a resume to get an interview, which happens to be the real purpose of a resume, you will need a resume during the interview so that you and the interviewer can have an intelligent discussion as it relates to your skills and accomplishments.
A solid resume is all I need, right?
Resume writing is often an arduous and unpleasant task for many. I have worked with so many clients that are concerned about getting the “perfect” resume because their current resume is not “working for them”. They have sent out dozens of resumes for positions that, in their mind, they were absolutely perfect for. You would have thought the job description was written with them in mind. But when a few weeks have gone by and they have not heard back from any of the companies, they begin to think that their resume is the problem. After all, they were qualified for the position and they sent in their resume. Why didn’t anyone call them back for an interview?
Misguided thoughts?
That is where the problem lies. In career search, the resume is not the magic bullet. Employers hire people, not resumes. True, you must get your resume in front of decision makers, but more importantly, you must get yourself in front of decision makers. How do you do this? By networking. Yes, I know, networking is that dreaded task of making key professional contacts that could lead to your next career opportunity. Do it well and you decrease your time between jobs. Do it poorly and you may be looking for a job for a very long time.
I won’t go into all of the aspects of effective networking here but just remember that networking has been proven to be the most successful career search method. The key is to start early. Grow your networking contacts before you need them. Stay in touch with them and even offer to help them if they have a need. It is all about relationships.
So yes, the resume has its place in the career search, but do not discount the importance of networking. Get out there and start meeting people that can help you in the future.
And that is the art of the job search!
In today’s career search, so much emphasis is placed on resume writing, because let’s face it, more times than not, you are going to need a resume at some point in the career search process. Even if you do not need a resume to get an interview, which happens to be the real purpose of a resume, you will need a resume during the interview so that you and the interviewer can have an intelligent discussion as it relates to your skills and accomplishments.
A solid resume is all I need, right?
Resume writing is often an arduous and unpleasant task for many. I have worked with so many clients that are concerned about getting the “perfect” resume because their current resume is not “working for them”. They have sent out dozens of resumes for positions that, in their mind, they were absolutely perfect for. You would have thought the job description was written with them in mind. But when a few weeks have gone by and they have not heard back from any of the companies, they begin to think that their resume is the problem. After all, they were qualified for the position and they sent in their resume. Why didn’t anyone call them back for an interview?
Misguided thoughts?
That is where the problem lies. In career search, the resume is not the magic bullet. Employers hire people, not resumes. True, you must get your resume in front of decision makers, but more importantly, you must get yourself in front of decision makers. How do you do this? By networking. Yes, I know, networking is that dreaded task of making key professional contacts that could lead to your next career opportunity. Do it well and you decrease your time between jobs. Do it poorly and you may be looking for a job for a very long time.
I won’t go into all of the aspects of effective networking here but just remember that networking has been proven to be the most successful career search method. The key is to start early. Grow your networking contacts before you need them. Stay in touch with them and even offer to help them if they have a need. It is all about relationships.
So yes, the resume has its place in the career search, but do not discount the importance of networking. Get out there and start meeting people that can help you in the future.
And that is the art of the job search!
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