GET TO WORK WITH YOUR RESUME
The one standard version of a resume does not work for all situations.
You must change your resume for each situation or each new job you apply for.
One of the biggest mistakes people make with resumes is doing a standard version based on a resume template and then failing to amend, upgrade or change it for every new position they apply for.
Worse still is a job seeker submitting a resume with hand written changes e.g. a new phone number, current work details or new e-mail address. It shows a lack of attention to detail and that the person is disorganised and not prepared.
The way you apply for a job demonstrates how you will probably do things “on the job”. If near enough is OK and you don’t care how your resume is presented, then that’s how you will probably work on the job.
To get started create a basic generic resume with all the key information you may ever need, both in a long detailed version and a shorter condensed version.
Each and every time you submit a resume spend time to amend and tailor it to make it better reflect you as the perfect applicant.
You must take the time to tailor your resume and present yourself as the ideal candidate. Make the key information easy to fine. Employers do not have the time to research a badly presented resume to look for evidence that you may be able to do the job. You have to make it easy for employers otherwise you will not get past the selection stage.
However before you can tailor your resume to exactly what the employer is looking for, you must have a clear idea of what they require. Firstly to do this you must have a very clear idea of exactly what the target job is and the skills, talents and experience that the employer will be looking for. Only then would you be able to adapt and modify your resume to align your resume to that specific job.
I can use the analogy to fishing. You do not use the same rod, reel, tackle and bait for all fishing situations, you adapt the rig depending on what to are fishing for. More information
How important is a resume when job searching?
A question that I’m often asked is: “Do I need a resume when job searching?” The answer is yes. If you are in the workforce or planning to join the workforce, I would suggest you have a resume ready at all times even if you believe you are in a secure job. You never know when you may need to produce a resume at short notice.
I also suggest those at school, TAFE or university get one ready, well before finishing your studies. Do not leave it to the last minute.
So the job search tip is “Always have your resume up to date and ready to fine tune at short notice.”
It is very stressful at short notice having to rush and get something prepared.
Many job seekers undersell themselves when rushed and preparing a resume at short notice.
How effective is a resume as a job search tool?
Research has shown that a resume (in isolation of other job-searching methods) only gets about 1% of job-seekers a job. However a resume is a basic tool that all job-seekers need irrespective of whether they are applying for advertised positions or undertaking information interviews and researching new career opportunities.
Remember the Boy Scouts motto “be prepared”. Many people have contacted me at very short notice saying that they need a resume immediately.
To prepare a resume properly does take a great deal of time and thinking. The major steps required are:
1. to find a resume template and specific advice on how to write a resume
2. analyze and document your work history and record your major transferable skills.
3. contacting people to become your referees can on occasions take time.
4. record your employment history. At very short notice it can be a problem to recall the exact dates of your past employment. It is easier to continually update your resume as you go.
The best overall advice is to have all the basic core information for your resume ready to be prepared and adapted it or the specific purpose for which the resume is required.
Over the longer term it can be interesting to look back and see how your resume has developed and how you have evolved into your own unique perfect career.
Remember the most effective job-search method is using your personal contacts. Another method which is very effective is the internet and to use that medium effectively, you also need a resume. Again a resume is useful to be able to update your friends and colleagues as to exactly who you are and what sort of work you are looking for. In summary, a resume is a means to an end. Only useful if used and incorporated with other job-search methods and techniques. More information on resumes
© Michael Creagan 2009 The Career Company
How to make your resume ‘work’ when job hunting
When applying for an advertised position, increase your chances of securing an interview, by following this job-search hint:
“Make contact with the employer and research the position BEFORE you write your letter of application or adapt your resume”
If you contact an employer first, you will be better prepared and therefore write a more effective and targeted resume that will achieve better results.
Resumes rarely secure a job offer by themselves; the resume is a tool to help you get a face-to-face meeting with the employer to promote yourself.
Why wait to submit an application and possibly be shortlisted for a formal interview. Use the “need for research” as an opportunity to make contact direct with the recruiter. Once you phone, you may also be able to invite yourself in for an informal face to face chat anyway.
How effective is this job-search tip? From data I have collated about job-search clients, those who do make contact with an employer and ask them a number of questions prior to writing a letter of application and creating a tailored resume have a much greater probability of being selected for an interview and getting the job.
When you approach employers before the applications close, they usually give a lot more information about what the position really entails on a day to day basis and are selling the job to you. During this process you also see if you like them (and they like you) before you invest the time to apply for the position.
Employers are also much more likely to give you a more detailed description of what is “really” important about the position and what skills and experience do count.
Asking questions like “is it a new position, what are the immediate priorities or why did the last person leave”? can give you valuable insight as to what you are letting yourself into.
You can also get a much better opportunity to sum up if the organisation and your potential boss are OK before you even submit an application.
The process
I suggest you obtain a copy of the advertisement, and any other documentation i.e. an application pack, the job description and selection criteria for example (if all available). Think about and write down a number of creative questions to ask the employer. Use the phone preferably to make initial contact and ask some questions then also ask if you can drop in and meet them briefly and have a look around.
Use the drop in meeting to ask the other questions like:
- why this position became vacant,
- is there an incumbent person already doing the job,
- if what are the key issues affecting the position, and
- is there room for advancement.
Don’t be afraid to keep notes
With the information you have gathered you will submit a better application, if you decide to submit one at all.
© Michael Creagan 2009 Mike Creagan The Career Company
How to make your resume ‘work’ when job hunting
When applying for an advertised position, increase your chances of securing an interview, by following this job-search hint:
“Make contact with the employer and research the position BEFORE you write your letter of application or adapt your resume”
If you contact an employer first, you will be better prepared and therefore write a more effective and targeted resume that will achieve better results.
Resumes rarely secure a job offer by themselves; the resume is a tool to help you get a face-to-face meeting with the employer to promote yourself.
Why wait to submit an application and possibly be shortlisted for a formal interview. Use the “need for research” as an opportunity to make contact direct with the recruiter. Once you phone, you may also be able to invite yourself in for an informal face to face chat anyway.
How effective is this job-search tip? From data I have collated about job-search clients, those who do make contact with an employer and ask them a number of questions prior to writing a letter of application and creating a tailored resume have a much greater probability of being selected for an interview and getting the job.
When you approach employers before the applications close, they usually give a lot more information about what the position really entails on a day to day basis and are selling the job to you. During this process you also see if you like them (and they like you) before you invest the time to apply for the position.
Employers are also much more likely to give you a more detailed description of what is “really” important about the position and what skills and experience do count.
Asking questions like “is it a new position, what are the immediate priorities or why did the last person leave”? can give you valuable insight as to what you are letting yourself into.
You can also get a much better opportunity to sum up if the organisation and your potential boss are OK before you even submit an application.
The process
I suggest you obtain a copy of the advertisement, and any other documentation i.e. an application pack, the job description and selection criteria for example (if all available). Think about and write down a number of creative questions to ask the employer. Use the phone preferably to make initial contact and ask some questions then also ask if you can drop in and meet them briefly and have a look around.
Use the drop in meeting to ask the other questions like:
- why this position became vacant,
- is there an incumbent person already doing the job,
- if what are the key issues affecting the position, and
- is there room for advancement.
Don’t be afraid to keep notes
With the information you have gathered you will submit a better application, if you decide to submit one at all. Get more detail
© Michael Creagan 2009 Mike Creagan The Career Company