Have you made this resume mistake? The scenario sounds like this: “I was a bank teller, but I need a job ASAP and I could also do (clerical, customer service, etc.). I need resume I can use to get any kind of job.”
The thinking almost makes sense: There are fewer openings, so the resume needs to cast a wider net, right?
Actually, it’s the other way around. The more applicants are competing for each opening, the more you need to fit that opening with an audible “click!” You need to come across as excited and committed to this particular job – not just taking “whatever” to get through the recession.
Sometimes the solution is to have more than one version, each one targeted to a certain occupation. Watch out, though. Some job seekers have found that both versions turned up on the same hiring manager’s desk – making a very inconsistent first impression!
Another danger of the “multiple resumes” approach is spreading yourself too thin. If you have more than one or two target jobs, how much energy and commitment can you put into pursuing each one?
If you’re not getting interviews, step back and re-think not only your resume and cover letter, but also your overall strategy. For example, if you’re spending more than a quarter of your job searching efforts on online postings, you probably need to do more networking.
There’s a lot more to a smart job search than you may realize. Get advice from an HR professional or career coach. Don’t know any? Get some networking practice by asking around! One good source of referrals is the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches: http://www.parw.com/home.html
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