Resumes definitely play a role in your job search and without a good one it can unnecessarily lengthen your job search. Yet job candidates often become hyper focused on writing the perfect resume and in the meantime could run the risk of missing some good opportunities.
Generally speaking, your resume is another tool in your marketing campaign to be used in a variety of ways, mainly during the hiring and applying phases of your job search.
A well written resume is worth the effort and will generate more attention than you might realize. The same is true with a poorly written resume thrown together at the last minute with hopes of using job responsibilities and tasks as substitutes for accomplishments.
One thing is for sure: Halfhearted resumes tend to be tossed aside whether by human eyes or computer software. Yet a fine line exists between writing a strong resume and becoming obsessed with having a perfect resume that never needs to be changed.
I never will forget a job candidate that had a stellar background full of career achievements and experience. But there was just one fixation getting in his way of feeling good about his job search – his resume. The days turned into weeks as he would write one, show it to his friends for their feedback and then come back again to change it.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a smart idea to ask for feedback from those that know you because you could be overlooking some good accomplishments and help in identifying your strengths.
Resume obsessing happens when you get stuck in a loop of asking for feedback and then continually changing it, repeating a pattern that keeps you from moving forward.
The constant resume changes drove this candidate into a rut where his confidence would build then plummet when he heard conflicting advice. He wrote more than 45 resumes and could not keep up with all the changes. He spent more time organizing and keeping up with his resumes than launching his search. Consequently, his search was delayed two months because he was so focused on making sure his resume was “right” before sending it to employers.
His story can be helpful to you in recognizing how much time you are spending on getting your resume right before you start your job search.
Seek the peaceful balance in feeling confident that your resume supports your value and highlights your contributions.
Here are some signs that you could be obsessed with your resume:
• Using your resume as the focus of networking when meeting others. Asking them to review your resume rather than engaging in a good discussion about industry trends and expanding your contacts.
• Always pursuing resume perfection with everyone you meet by asking about your format, the content and how you are presenting your experience. Keep in mind, your resume will change constantly throughout your search always adjusting to the employer’s needs.
• Thinking your resume is the only job search tool that matters. LinkedIn and other social media are just as important if not more so in attracting employers.
• Using it as a historical document of your work life rather than a tool designed to concisely convey your personal brand and connect with the employer. Minimizing past work experiences beyond 20 years causes you anxiety.
• Becoming frustrated over having to keep updating and changing it as needed.
• Blaming your job search success on faulty thinking, “if your resume was perfect you would have a job by now”.
• If the majority of your time is spent perfecting your resume rather than launching your job search.
Resumes are important and having an open mind with multiple resume formats to meet the needs of a changing job search is a good strategy. At some point, you need to trust that you have a good resume and use other tools that are often more effective, such as networking and information gathering.
