During a recent workshop an attendee stood up and stated that if employers want a specific and up-to-date resume they should, “just get over it.” Why? She argued no one has time to be specific or keep things current these days.
Are there situations where your resume does not need to be current and specific? Sure. There are times when your skills are in high demand or your work is very well known and your resume is just a formality.
However, the bottom line in all communication is you need to address the wants/desires/needs of your audience. If your communication tool [a résumé is a communication tool] falls short of connecting with your audience it is ineffective.
Maybe the better question is does your résumé effectively open a door and/or a conversation with someone you want or need to talk with?
If your résumé is working for you – then don’t worry about it. On the other hand if your résumé is not achieving the results you want, take a look at it with a critical eye.
Review your résumé. If you are not sure it is doing the job you want it to do have someone else review it and offer feedback.
Do you have questions or concerns about your résumé? Then feel free to contact me.
oh my… I’m kinda shocked by that person’s response… Having someone review your resume is hands down money in your pocket!! When I was heading out after college… I sought out assistance to write a kick ass resume! Especially coming out of college into a filed who only wanted “experienced” nurses at the time… this investment was invaluable!!
Kelly, you are so right having someone review your resume is usually an ‘invaluable’ investment.
the best thing I learned about resumes was their purpose was to get me an interview. That changed how I approached them. Having an editor is so important. totally agree.
Wow. Really? I’m amazed that this person was so brazen as to expect the person who she wanted something from (the interview or the job) to ‘get over it’ which I read as don’t bother me! I immediately thought if you aren’t willing to put the work in on getting the job, you probably won’t put the work into keeping it!
When I was looking for teaching positions I had different resumes for different types of positions to highlight skills because I such a varied background and skill set it was crazy to try to add them all in and keep the resume a reasonable size. Was it a lot of work..yup. But it was totally worth it!
Bonnie – YES really. Enjoyed your take on it ‘don’t bother me!’ and I bet many an employer would think just what you did.
When looking for teaching position you were so on target to have different resumes for different positions. Sure it is work & again you are RIGHT ‘totally worth it!’
Thanks for sharing your insights.
Holy smokes.. Curious – how old was that attendee? And, does he/she have a job yet? Thanks for sharing and OF COURSE you need to be specific. I love your perspective that the resume should open the door to further conversation! Thanks Cindy!
Cindy I love your clarifying question about a resume – does it effectively open a door or conversation? Excellent l place to develop or review a resume from. I have not updated mine in some time and am inspired to do it now. Thank you so much!
When I was employed (by someone else), I found that a resume started a conversation. And, that if the resume was not hitting the needs of the potential employer, I might have just saved myself the trouble to send it. They wouldn’t read it. So I learned the hard way to have a critical look at it whenever I set out to find a new job.