Resumes Are Overrated

You read that correctly. Resumes are overrated. As a career coach and certified resume writer, this may seem counterintuitive for my livelihood. I, as a writer, an ethical professional, and advocate for the job seeker, owe you the truth. Resumes are needed, but the amount of emphasis and importance is greatly hyperbolized and for that reason many paths and tools that lead you to employment are left by the wayside.

A resume alone is not going to get you a job. Many employers do require a resume during the application process, and if you apply through a traditional method (in person, company career page, job site, etc.), they are also your first introduction. The unfortunate fact is you become a number in a stack of potentially hundreds of applications.

A decent resume and the right connections can get the job done. Here is what you can focus on and do to skip the line and get your "fast pass" to an interview and potentially a job offer.

Internships/Volunteer

Internships and volunteer exposure give you direct exposure to potential employers and/or coworkers. In both settings an employer gains a familiarity with your personality and work ethic. This familiarity increases the possibility of your application being picked out of the stack of countless hopefuls.

When I say volunteer, this is an all-inclusive term. You can volunteer for a specific event your desired company is hosting or sponsoring. You can also volunteer for an organization that focuses on an issue you are passionate about. Talk and connect with your fellow volunteers, they may be the key to your next career move.

Direct Cold Messaging

An aggressive approach in job seeking is the direct cold message. If you have clear idea of what organization you want to work for, you can reach out to hiring managers and recruiters that work for that organization. You can use email or LinkedIn to message them directly (other social media, like Facebook, can be too personal and be considered invasive). This is your chance to share your personal branding statement to explain who you are, why you may be a good fit for their organization, and how you can provide a solution to a specific problem they may be facing. Make sure this message is well written and a proper representation of what you can bring to the table. It may also be easier to segue and connect your statement if there is a current opening at their organization you are qualified for. If there are no current openings, don't shy away from introducing yourself. You never know when a position may become available.

Network and Get Referred

Having a member of an organization know your personally, or even just know your name, will definitely give you an edge over those that have just applied through the traditional methodologies. Go to networking events. Use LinkedIn. Reach out to your colleagues, friends and family. They may know of opportunity that hasn't been posted yet or that you are not aware of. They may also work for an organization that you would like to join. Ask them to refer you. An important note, you are representing the individual that referred you, be considerate and aware of this through out the process. HR departments will often times prioritize referrals because they carry the validation from one of their current employees and will also speed up the recruitment process as a whole. (Click here for Tips to Improve Your Networking Results)

Don't just focus on having a top grade resume. A resume alone will not get your dream job. Use other methods, tools, and connections to get you ahead. You don't have to be just another resume in the stack. Stick out. Have your name known. Be a person, not just another resume.

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#Resume #networking #LinkedIn #JobSearching