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Check out this relevant article: 4 Ways to LENGTHEN Your Job Search

ARE YOU READY TO CREATE YOUR RESUME?

Not so fast

It is not unusual to have potential customers call interested in having their resume written for them, but are unsure of their career direction. When I ask what type of job / career they might want to pursue, a standard answer might be “I want to keep my options open” “I love people” or “I don’t know.” They plan to figure that out later … after the resume is written.

And that can be a huge problem. THAT WILL NOT WORK in the technology age and at a time where employers expect the resume to reflect a focused target that matches what they are seeking in a job candidate.

To write a resume that is going to get noticed, the writer has to know the type of position, and possibly the industry the job seeker wants, BEFORE getting started. This key information is critical to make sure we include the right skills, keywords, and accomplishments and determine the appropriate format.

The first step of resume selection by employers is through a computerized applicant tracking system (ATS). Employers enter specific keywords to pull up resumes that match the core skills and qualities they are seeking from a candidate for the specific job opening. If you don’t have the right keywords in your resume, you won’t be pulled up, which means no chance for an interview--no matter how good you are.

In addition, the resume has to be accomplishment-based so that when the employer does actually review the resume at the next phase of the process, employers will be enticed to bring you in for an interview. The accomplishments we include need to showcase your value and successes in direct relation to the type of opening you are applying for, so we have to know your direction.

So what can you do if you don’t know what your next career move is? There are a number of things.

• Get some career counseling, read some books on career exploration, and / or take some assessments, like the DISC.
• List your likes and dislikes regarding responsibilities from prior positions as well as list your outside interests and then do an online search using the list of “likes” to find the type of job that matches with your skills and interests.
• Talk to those you know in a job you find exciting or use social media to mention the skills, interests, or responsibilities you want to use in your next job and see if anyone in your network has similar skills and is willing to talk to you about what they do and what it takes to be qualified.
• See if you can job shadow for a half or full day in a position or industry of interest.
• Look through the job boards to see what type of postings catch your eye.

So, if you call a resume writer, expect them to ask you what your goal is. If you don’t know, they will tell you to do more research before moving forward. Understand that we are trying to be helpful. We don’t want you to waste your money and time with a resume that is bound to fail and lengthen the job search. We will be more then glad to help you once you are ready.

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