The Resume Myth

If you asked a person looking for a job, “What is the first thing you did to get started?” What do you think they would say?

The response I usually hear is, “Rewrite my resume” or “Polish my resume.” What do you hear?

I guess they think their resume is the same as Aladdin’s Genie Lamp. In other words, “just rub the magic resume and the job genie is sure to come out and grant you three job opportunities.” I want one of those!

Perhaps they think that perfecting and adding magic words will create a magic piece of paper that will catch the reader’s eye and compel them to want to hire you.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not against resumes. I just want to caution you on what a resume is and what a resume is not.

First, let’s discuss this week what a resume is not. A resume is not:

• A complete picture of who you are. How could anyone put a complete picture of who they are on 2 pages? OK, maybe my 3 year old grand daughter. But even I would have a tough time keeping my description of this wonderful girl down to five to ten pages. Does the resume comment on your character? Does it comment on what you can do for them? Does it tell the story about you that they need to hear?
• A complete picture of what you have done. If you are 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60, do you think you have enough stories that could fill a book?  Even a size 6 font won’t help you fit the detail that most of us would like to share.
• A tool for networking. Most people have never been taught how to network. So, they make serious mistakes that turn off people and damage their brand. One mistake is to carry their resume into a networking meeting. Networking is designed for two people to see if there are common interests or ways that they can help each other. Flashing a resume is presumptuous, offensive, and communicates that you don’t understand the unwritten rules of how networking really works. Of course, the rules are unwritten so that only those who are insiders or those who “get it” come across like the club member with the secret handshake or passwords. Sounds corny? Think about it.
• A document to email blast or snail mail blast to the world. The typical response of the recipient is a) delete, b) file in a cabinet or a database, or c) file in the trash can. Why? Do you really believe companies are waiting with baited breath for your magic resume? How many hundreds and thousands of resumes do they receive every day? Keep in mind, a recruiter typically spends 5 to 10 seconds scanning a resume that makes the cut to the review pile in response to a posted position. How much time do you think they have for an unsolicited resume? Think of an unsolicited resume as junk mail.
• A document that fits all jobs or companies. Every job description is different. Every company is different. Their needs are different. Their key words are different. Their cultures are different. What they want is different.  In fact, what the hiring manager really wants is often not articulated very well to HR or the recruiter.

These are merely a few of the myths that I often hear.  I guess the last myth that I need to suggest is the emotional myth that the resume is a lottery ticket. That is, if you buy enough tickets (send out enough resumes) that you will win the lottery or job.

Are you caught up in a resume myth? If so, how is that working out for you?

Job Seekers Tip #3 for 2011!

Job Search Tip #3

Job Seekers Tip #2 for 2011!

Job Search Tip #2A and Job Search Tip #2B