What Is A General Resume?
Welcome 2010! Already, I can feel the optimism in the air from clients and candidates, so lets pump up the volume and get this party started...
I just read a blog post from EmploymentDigest.net entitled "Traditional Resumes Are Worthless." Good piece that reminds job seekers what they already know. Coincidently, this fact was hit home this morning when a resume client sent me what he called his "general resume." Huge flag here. Job seekers need to delete this type of resume from his/her computer and remove this term from his/her vocabulary. Don't forget what we learned in 2009. Remember to be specific and as detailed as possible because there is no such thing as a general resume.
1. Never send out a general resume. Be diligent when submitting your credentials and keep your reader in mind. If you don't take the time to carefully match your skills to the job description, you are wasting your time, as your resume will not make the cut. If you are not applying for a specific job or simply networking, be clear about what type of position you desire. Keep organized and save each version labeled with the name of the company where you sent it. That way, when you do get a return phone from a potential employer, you can easily pull up the version you sent.
2. When networking with recruiters and hiring managers, tell them exactly what type of position fits your background or the transferable skills you have to their industry. This is the follow up to your resume. Worst mistake you can make is saying you are "Open to anything." Your contacts want to help, so help them help you by clearly defining your targeted position. "Open to anything" lands you in no-man's-land.
3. Don't share too much information. The purpose of your resume is to secure an interview. It is not necessary for them to know how old you are, your marriage status, or what country club holds your membership. Basically, a personal information section opens the door to discrimination, and no need to go in that direction. Include information that is relevant to the job for which you are applying and highlights the desired skill set. This catches the reader's attention and hopefully triggers them to call for a interview- the ultimate goal of any job seeker.
Happy Hunting,
Leigh
I just read a blog post from EmploymentDigest.net entitled "Traditional Resumes Are Worthless." Good piece that reminds job seekers what they already know. Coincidently, this fact was hit home this morning when a resume client sent me what he called his "general resume." Huge flag here. Job seekers need to delete this type of resume from his/her computer and remove this term from his/her vocabulary. Don't forget what we learned in 2009. Remember to be specific and as detailed as possible because there is no such thing as a general resume.
1. Never send out a general resume. Be diligent when submitting your credentials and keep your reader in mind. If you don't take the time to carefully match your skills to the job description, you are wasting your time, as your resume will not make the cut. If you are not applying for a specific job or simply networking, be clear about what type of position you desire. Keep organized and save each version labeled with the name of the company where you sent it. That way, when you do get a return phone from a potential employer, you can easily pull up the version you sent.
2. When networking with recruiters and hiring managers, tell them exactly what type of position fits your background or the transferable skills you have to their industry. This is the follow up to your resume. Worst mistake you can make is saying you are "Open to anything." Your contacts want to help, so help them help you by clearly defining your targeted position. "Open to anything" lands you in no-man's-land.
3. Don't share too much information. The purpose of your resume is to secure an interview. It is not necessary for them to know how old you are, your marriage status, or what country club holds your membership. Basically, a personal information section opens the door to discrimination, and no need to go in that direction. Include information that is relevant to the job for which you are applying and highlights the desired skill set. This catches the reader's attention and hopefully triggers them to call for a interview- the ultimate goal of any job seeker.
Happy Hunting,
Leigh
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