Archive for November 7th, 2008|Daily archive page
Nobody cares about your resume.
Filed under: Job Search, Networking | Tags: Career, Employment, Executives Network, Job Search, Looking for a job, Molly Wendell, Networking, resume
Leave a Comment So quit sending it to everyone you know in hopes that they “know of a job that’s perfect for you.”
The other day, my friend asked me to review her resume. With a deep sigh, I said sure. What I really wanted to say was that nobody cares about your resume. Your resume is never going to get you a job. Quit wasting your time hanging out with that piece of work-in-process-paper and start hanging out with real live people who may know people that will help you land your next opportunity.
A perfect resume simply doesn’t exist. But is it good enough? Do you feel good about it? Then, great. Move on.
Too often, job seekers hide behind the resume thinking it’s the perfect calling card to get in the door. They lead with their resume all of the time. They send emails with their resume attached. They make phone calls saying, “I’ll send you my resume.” Even others get on board with the concept when the job seeker calls them. “Send me your resume” they say.
Don’t you know they say that because they don’t know what else to say. You’ve just told them you’re in the job search. The obvious response is “send me your resume.” So you do. And then you wait. And wait. And wait. Where’s that perfect job they’re going to help you find? Still waiting.
Here’s a better approach. Forget about the resume that nobody cares about. Never send your resume to anyone you think may be of hiring caliber. Pick up the phone and request a meeting (make sure you have a referral!!) to get advice and counsel. If, after you have secured a meeting, they request your resume, go ahead and send it. If they don’t request it, DO NOT send it (those kind of meetings are ALWAYS more interesting). And then during the meeting, focus on them and their background, and not you and your background.
And if you can make it meeting after meeting without discussing your resume, chances are good you’re that much closer to your next position. And if you’re still using that resume as a crutch, good luck! Just please don’t send it to me!!
