Job Search 101: Without a Well-Written Resume, You Won’t Get Results

By Christina Archer, Executive Recruiter, Resume Writer, Social Media Consultant and Author

Author Website: http://icareersearch.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/job-search-101-without-a-well-written-resume-you-wont-get-results/

I often hear candidates say they’ve been applying for numerous jobs, but all they receive is an auto-responder message from the employer or recruiter, stating their resume has been received. As a candidate, you need to realize that you won’t get answers to every application; neither employers nor recruiters can respond personally to each and every resume they receive.

If you do not get a response, re-evaluate your target and approach. It may be that you did not meet the exact specifications for a position. It may be that your resume isn’t properly presenting your experience, talent, and qualifications.

As a job seeker, your resume is your marketing brochure, with the goal of selling your skills and experience. I review many resumes that simply list in chronological order, all of the positions an individual has held over the span of their career. Does that really market you?

A quality resume has to spotlight and focus on your most relevant skills and experience, to the position you are targeting. One of the biggest mistakes I see candidates regularly make, is creating a one-size fits all resume, and actually thinking this will land them interviews. It can’t.

Here are 3 tips to ensure your phone starts ringing with interview appointments, today!

1. Know what your target job is. You cannot apply for every position out there, when you don’t meet the qualifications. Be deliberate in your approach, and know what position you want to get. Don’t give up too quickly; if you meet the qualifications, and your resume is crafted appropriately, you will receive calls.

2. Do your research before writing your resume. They can vary greatly, based on your industry and specialty. If you’re writing your own resume, look at the job description for the position you want, and include keywords you see within that description. In order to get results, your resume must be very focused and specific.

3. Consider hiring a professional resume writer. When you’re out of a job, it may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it’s literally one of the most important investments you can make in your career. Once you have a well written and impactful resume, you can easily update it as your career expands. Many candidates who utilize the services of a professional resume writer, find they obtain interview invitations and job offers exponentially faster than candidates who did not.

Receive your complimentary resume analysis now, and receive feedback via email with specific instructions on how to improve its performance.

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.