Back to Articles

The Last Thing You Need Is a Resume

Jobseekers be advised; you need to have more than a resume to succeed in today's market. The restructuring of corporate America has allowed hiring managers to select from an exceptionally large pool of qualified candidates and you could easily be passed over.

Historically, people in transition have viewed their resume as the golden key to new opportunities. However, the locks have been changed. HRIS or scanning software is the new gatekeepers. In order to get interviews and stand out from the competition you will have to work smarter, not harder, to get the job you want.

If you've been submitting your resume to Monster.com and / or recruiters with poor or no response, it could be your strategy that's standing between you and the interviews you want. A change in tactics could open new doors. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Clearly define your goals. People who will do anything tend to be unemployed longer than those who have targeted goals. Instead, identify a specific career objective and then develop your job search strategy around it.

• Research and identify industries and positions that offer the greatest job growth and are a good match for your talents, skills, interests and values.

• Speak with people who are working in industries of interest to learn vital career information.

• Go back to school or enroll in a training program to learn skills relevant to career objective.

• Develop a three point marketing message that communicates your greatest strengths and potential value to a company.

• Find networking opportunities that fit your personality.

• Instead of sending a traditional resume, write a job proposal outlining what you will do if hired.

• If you are unemployed, volunteer your services to a company, preferably in your chosen field. Treat it as if you were a paid employee.

• Project a winning attitude to attract new opportunities. Remember, the best-written resume get you interviews. However, your attitude will ultimately cost or win you the job.