The ABCs of Effective Resume Writing: Part 6 – Getting it into the Right Hands

Having a great resume doesn’t do you any good if you can’t get the people in power to read it. Many job seekers believe that there is an end all be all to doing just this. So what is THE best way for your resume to be seen by those who can make something happen? There isn’t one! Rather it’s a combination of your efforts that will most likely garner the best results. No one ever said looking for a new job is easy, right? It’s the truth and you’re about to find out why. 1) Posting you resume Why do it? It’s fast, easy and most of the time – free. You usually get the option of a confidential or public posting as well (in case you’re worried about your current employer finding out you’re job hunting). You never know when an employer will be searching for someone with your qualifications, and if your resume happens to be in the job bank they’re looking through, then you’re in luck. Is it worth it? Sure. However, I caution getting your hopes too high. You can become a passive job seeker very quickly using these means. It gives you a sense of accomplishment and then you go and do nothing else. If you really want a new job, you will most likely need to do more than this. When you have a few minutes, go and post on a few boards. But then move on to more aggressive tactics. 2) Distributing your resume via ‘resume blasting’ Why do it? These services can save you a ton of time and gain you a lot of exposure. There are a ton of resume distribution companies out there so you have to be sure to pick the right one for your needs. You can get extremely targeted campaigns that specify location, type of company, etc. Is it worth it? Again, as long as this is not the only means of distributing your resume, then yes. This is a great addition to your arsenal but by no means should be all that you do. If you’re strapped for money, then you might want to consider skipping this part. 3) Networking It’s funny how many times networking comes into play during a job search. You really have to look for those golden opportunities that allow you to hand your resume to someone who can then make a decision or pass it on to someone else who can make a decision about interviewing you. The more you network and let people aware of your situation, the more likelihood that you’ll hear, “Hey, I know someone who is hiring for a position like that. Want me to give them your resume?” Now keep in mind that the three techniques are in addition to posting for jobs on and offline. That should be a staple in your job search diet. You’ve got your resume ready to go so be sure you don’t sit back and do nothing. Interviews will not come to you. If you see a job you want, go out and do everything you can do get it.