Is a Resume Enough

Though the economy maybe close to “bottoming out” the forecast for employment remains bleak for the rest of this year and at a minimum thru the first quarter of 2010. Many career counselors and coaches are telling us that a top notch resume alone will get “notice” and potentially that interview that may put you back into the job market. I on the other hand, do not believe that the resume alone is enough!
I am not saying that the Resume is not a critical tool in your employment toolbox, it just cannot be the only tool you have. The resume should still be meticulous, without typos, spelling mistakes, or poorly written. It should still be concise and detailed, focusing on the impact of key accomplishments from the different positions listed but it should also be specific to the position posted. I just take issue with the philosophy that this should be your only tool, and my reason is at least 5 out of the 10 applicants who apply will also have a meticulous, specific, focused resume with a skill set just like yours.
In the book “Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters” by Jay Conrad Levinson & David E. Perry the authors point out that you must have a strong web presence including your personal website, your Blog, and that you must drive traffic to your expertise website using Social Networks including LinkedIn, Facebook & Twitter. Why tools like this you ask, because it allows Recruiters as well as executive level decision makers see you an industry thought leader and get to know YOU beyond what you have done for employers in the past.
Websites such as www.Visual CV.com allows you to describe who you, post your resume, videos, employer and employee recommendations and show examples of projects or case studies of select achievements in more detail than a resume will allow. Your Blog is a great place to establish yourself as a thought leader and allow you to express your opinions on business and industry issues as a Subject Matter Expert. It also tells employers that you are doing research and keeping abreast of current business trends. Though most users are using the communication tools of Facebook and Twitter as primarily for Social communication, these tools along with LinkedIn are very valuable business tools for you to use to send perspective Recruiters and employers to your Visual CV, your Blog and your resume. They are also great networking tools to find former friends and colleagues that maybe able to help you in your job search as well as it allows employers to also find you. Lori Beth Dalton, Career Coach (www.loribethdalton.com) says that the Resume tells your history of what you have accomplished at the prior companies you have worked for, tools like Visual CV & Blogs allows you to tell perspective Employers what you maybe able to do for them. In today Employer’s market you really do want more than just a resume in your employment toolbox.