The Resume Writing Tip of the Week is designed to bring insight and direction to those looking to make a job change. This week’s resume writing tip has to do with the number of versions you may have of your resume and when to use them.
Recently, I participated in a two-day webinar training event. It was hosted by a handful of career coaches, including yours truly, and provided valuable information to those in career transition or looking to gain more from their career. As a fellow coach, I too am always learning. I want to make sure the information I provide is not only relevant, but current. With that in mind, I tuned in to listen to someone I have a great deal of respect for, coach Ford Myers. Ford has authored books and provided coaching services to great success. He shared a valuable resume writing tip with the virtual audience that I thought bared repeating. My Myers instructs his clients to have one resume. ONE…as in a singular version. How many variations do you have saved to your hard drive? I found this to be an interesting concept as I have and continue to instruct those I work with to tailor their resume to the position. Then, it struck me what he was referring to.
If you are scattered with your job search, then yes, you will need a resume for each direction you are targeting. Yet, the idea is not to be scattered in your approach. This resume writing tip requires that you be selective. This is where he and I share very similar philosophies. You have to be narrow in your focus by having a clear grasp of your skills, your abilities and your value. But it doesn’t stop there. You also have to know HOW you can apply these skills, abilities and value. With this information, you are able to zero in on your target. With this narrow focus, you must know what kind of position you are looking for. This narrow focus means all you need is one version of your resume to provide when your target audience requests it.
If you are reading between the lines, you realize that the onus is on you, the job seeker, to make the personal contact. You do not have the luxury of submitting your resume and hoping that it gets viewed and placed in the “Need to Follow Up With” pile. It is estimated that two thirds of all positions are found through networking and the development of personal/professional relationships. Having one version of your resume and being clear on what you are looking for adds purpose and resolve to your job search. Following both aspects of this resume writing tip and will result in more satisfying results.
Thanks for tuning into another segment of my Resume Writing Tip of the Week! I look forward to sharing more information with you next time.
