Using Resumes Effectively
A good resume is an important job search tool, but like any tool it's only as good as the person using it.
Much has been said about selling your employment skills to a prospective employer. It isn't enough to have the employment skills that an employer desires if you don't have the ability to market them. That takes job search skills and an understanding of how to use your resume effectively when networking.
Job search strategies range from the simple and common to the innovative and complex. Here are some of the more common strategies and guidelines. The successful job seeker masters these skills.
Get out there and circulate your resume. Give it to anyone who might help you get a job or who might know someone who can help you, especially:
- Employers with advertised job openings
- Employers with no advertised job openings
- Employment agencies
- Vocational and college placement offices
- Personal and professional networking contacts
- People you list as references
- Executive recruiters
- Your instructors
Tips for Using Your Resume
Resumes should be sent to a person by name. Avoid sending the resume to a job title such as "Production Manager." It will take extra effort, but do your research and find out the name and title of the appropriate person to whom your resume should be sent.
If you're asked to send your resume to personnel or human resources, do so. Then also send a resume to the person in charge of the department in which you want to work. Most of the time, personnel does the screening-- it's the department manager who is the final hiring authority.
When mailing your resume, always send it with a cover letter. Never send it by itself.
Mass-mailing your resume to many employers, hoping that a couple of them will get someone's attention, isn't effective. The statistics are that for every 1,000 resumes you send to an employer, you can expect to get two interviews. Additionally, an accepted standard is that for every 10 interviews, you will receive one job offer.
Look for ways to target your resume to the specific needs of the employer. This can be accomplished with a targeted resume or through the cover letter. It requires some research before sending the resume, but it will pay off in an increased number of positive responses.
When researching an employer or employment agency, among other important information, find out if they use a resume scanning system. If they do, it will help you prepare your resume for presentation.
Send your resume to employers even if they aren't hiring. You never know what the future will bring.
Always follow-up the sending of your resume with a phone call to the employer. Be courteous, professional and sell your qualifications. Be sure to ask for an interview.
When directly contacting employers, always have a copy of your resume available and take the initiative to offer it to them.
When applying for a job with an employment application, you may want to attach your resume. The resume will add impact and should complement the application. If you're asked to fill out an application, never write on it "See resume." Take the time to fill out the application completely.
Applying for jobs by resume can be effective in overcoming employment barriers. The resume should paint the best picture of you, while the application may paint the worst.
Give a copy of your resume to your references. It provides them with information about you and will help them to talk to an employer about your qualifications.
Give a copy of your resume to all networking contacts. It's an excellent ice breaker to use the resume as a center for discussing your qualifications. Ask your contacts to critique your resume.
Always bring extra copies of your resume to an interview.
Finally, follow-up, follow-up, follow-up! It's no use mailing resumes if you don't take the time to follow-up on your efforts. If you aren't getting responses or interviews from your resume, you may want to reevaluate it. The true test of an effective resume is that you're offered interviews.
Resume Critique Form
Click here for a worksheet that will help you rate your resume. Better yet, have someone in your career field rate it.
Grade your resume in each category as Excellent, Average or Poor. Write in suggestions for improvement.
If you mark any of the topic areas “Unknown,” take time to review before finishing your resume.