When it comes to job searching, many people become preoccupied with creating the perfect resume. They spend countless hours tweaking and refining every detail, believing that their resume must be flawless to make a positive impression. However, this mindset can be more of a hindrance than a help. In reality, your resume doesn't need to be perfect—it just needs to be good enough to get you 80 percent of the way there.
The Reality of Resume Reading
Let’s start by addressing a common misconception: resumes are not meticulously read. Imagine the volume of resumes that companies have to process. Recruiters, hiring managers, and interviewers are often overwhelmed and extremely busy. Do you think they scrutinise each bullet point on every resume? They don’t. In my experience, they really don’t. Instead, they scan them. They glance at them to get a general sense of your background and qualifications.
The Primary Strategy: Informational Interviews and LinkedIn Outreach
If you’re following my strategy for informational interviewing and LinkedIn outreach as your primary methods for securing interviews, the pressure to perfect your resume decreases even further. When you engage in these strategies, you bypass the traditional applicant tracking systems (ATS) and connect directly with people. These conversations allow you to convey your strengths as a candidate more effectively than a resume ever could.
Once these contacts ask for your resume, provide them with something that’s ‘good enough’—a document that is professional and clean, and that they can easily pass along to a hiring manager or upload into their system. It’s crucial to understand that your resume is not scrutinised as rigorously as you might think. So, don't let the quest for perfection halt your progress.
Best Practices for Crafting Your Resume
Despite the reduced emphasis on perfection, it’s still important to follow best practices when crafting your CV. Here are some key components to include:
Professional Summary: A brief, compelling statement at the top of your resume that highlights your key qualifications and career objectives.
Skills: A section that lists your core skills, particularly those relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Employment History: Detail your work history in reverse chronological order. Focus on achievements and responsibilities that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Use bullet points for clarity.
Education and Certifications: Include your educational background and any relevant certifications, listing degrees, institutions, and dates of attendance.
Updating Your Resume for Specific Roles
If you’re applying for a similar role in the same industry, such as moving from one account executive position to another within the tech industry, there’s no need to overhaul your resume. Simply update it to ensure it’s professional, clean, and concise. Make sure it’s not too long—ideally no more than 10 to 15 years of experience if you’ve been in the industry for a while.
However, if you’re transitioning to a new line of work, such as moving from an account executive role to a project manager position, you’ll need to tailor your resume to match the new job descriptions. This involves analysing the job descriptions of the roles you’re targeting, identifying the key qualifications and traits they require, and incorporating those elements into your resume. Essentially, you want your resume to mirror the job description as closely as possible without it being obvious.
The Branding Aspect
This process ties into the broader concept of professional branding. Your resume should reflect the qualities of the ideal candidate for the job you’re applying for. This means using the same language and keywords found in the job description, and ensuring your resume presents you as the perfect fit for the role. It’s about aligning your professional brand with the expectations of potential employers.
Avoiding Analysis Paralysis
One of the biggest pitfalls in the job search process is getting stuck in the analysis paralysis of perfecting your resume. The reality is, most people already have a resume that’s 80 percent of the way there. They might only need minor tweaks, if any, to make it job-ready.
Focus on Progress: Remember, your resume is just one tool in your job search arsenal. Daily and weekly progress in networking, applying for jobs, and preparing for interviews is far more important.
Final Thoughts
Crafting a ‘good enough’ resume is about shifting your perspective from perfectionism to practicality. Understand that your resume is not the final determinant of your job search success. It’s a stepping stone, a tool to open doors and create opportunities. Focus on making it professional, clean, and aligned with the job descriptions of the roles you’re targeting.
By following these guidelines, you’ll ensure that your resume effectively supports your broader job search strategy without becoming a roadblock. So, finalise your resume, check that box, and move forward with confidence. Your next career opportunity is waiting, and you are ready to seize it.
By shifting your mindset from perfecting your resume to making it ‘good enough,’ you can free up valuable time and energy to focus on the most important aspects of your job search. Remember, progress over perfection is the key to success. So, finalise that resume and get ready to land your next big opportunity.
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