You're Resume Is Good, But...

Very often I hear “I have a good resume, why didn’t I get the job”? When I hear this, I tell people that your resume is like one of those fast passes used at amusement parks. Yes, you may get to the front of the line but there are many other people with those same passes. When you get to the front of the line you will find that there many people who had those same passes. A good resume is only the beginning of your job search as there are many more parts that are needed to land your dream job. Here are a few I have observed:

1.       Your LinkedIn page is the next step recruiters will take to find out more about you. I’m sure you’ve heard how imperative technology is in today’s world. This is even more true in today’s job search. Recruiters will search for you on LinkedIn to see find out more about your professional character. LinkedIn is a professional network for industry professionals, sort of like a virtual resume to display your education and accomplishments. If you do not know about LinkedIn you can create a page here: www.LinkedIn.com

2.       You will also need to be a master of the phone interview. Recruiters are still looking to eliminate candidates at this point. Phone interviews are your chance to talk one on one with the recruiter about your previous and current job duties. Be prepared to answer: “So tell me why you are looking for a new position”? It is imperative you are leaving your job for a good reason, especially if you have been with your current job for under 2 years. A company does not want to bring in a new employee (especially for a high paying position) if they plan to leave in under 2 years.

3.       It would be wise to brush up on your arithmetic and logical reasoning skills. This is especially true for those of you who are applying for positions where you will be responsible for others (team lead, supervisor, manager, director). Many of these higher-level positions require you to take an assessment before making a hiring decision. These are basic skills that upper level employees make every day that will have a major impact on the business. Even if your resume is great, performing poorly on these tests can eliminate you from your dream position.  

A resume is a great start for any position, but it will not land you a job. Do not send your resume out to multiple employers and put on cruise control waiting to be hired. Be intentional in your job search, and treat each individual job that you apply to as THE career you want. We have all heard what job means “just over broke”. So, get out there today and land your dream career. As always, remember: Slow progress is better than no progress!