potrero view

September 2009

Get a Job!

By Mauri Schwartz

Times are tough.  Over the past year millions of Americans have been laid-off, and although the number of newly unemployed is declining, the economy has yet to add new jobs.  Still, even during these bleak times companies are hiring.  The competition is tough, but if someone is going to be hired, why can’t it be you?   

 

Q:     Two months and 45 resume submittals later, I’ve had only one job interview.  I know it’s difficult in this economy, but I feel that no one’s even reading what I’m sending out.  Is there something else I should be doing?


A:  Your problem could be one of several issues, or a combination.  Are you fully qualified for the positions to which you’re applying?  Does your resume present your qualifications in a clear, succinct manner?  Assuming that these two issues aren’t at the root of your problem, you may be correct that no one is reading your resume.  You and possibly hundreds of other applicants are all trying to get through the front door at the same time.  I recommend taking the time to research and identify a decision maker within each of your target companies, including email address, and contact that person directly.  A client recently told me about interviewing for a job posted on a company’s web site.  The hiring manager told her that she’d received more than 700 resumes through the company’s website for the position, and couldn’t possibly review all of them.  She’d decided to look only at resumes that came directly to her mail box.  


Q:   What do you think about putting an objective statement in my resume?  I’ve been told that I should always have one at the beginning just under my name.


A:   I strongly recommend against using an objective statement, except in rare circumstances.  A resume should be written with a specific audience in mind.  You’ll want to modify your resume to match your target position, and your objective should be obvious from the wording of your resume.  The best an objective statement can do for you is nothing and therefore waste space.  The worst is that you forget to change the statement and submit your resume for a totally different position.  This wouldn’t be putting your best foot forward.  Almost as bad is that you could miss out on an attractive opportunity at the same company that may not exactly match your stated objective.  


The View asked Hill resident and career expert Mauri Schwartz to provide advice to job seekers.  Submit your questions to editor@potreroview.net.  Schwartz is President / CEO of Career Insiders www.CareerInsiders.com, and can be reached directly at 970-8959.

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