Career Inspirations Podcast
Your reputation opens the door; your resume closes the deal 

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If you are a leader in your area of expertise, you probably don’t need a resume to open doors. This might sound a little odd coming from someone who runs the top resume writing firm for leaders in Canada. My business is writing effective resumes for six-figure professionals, so why would I suggest that you might not need a resume to get a good opportunity?

Let me explain. If you are an experienced senior-level professional, your resume doesn’t hold the same sort of power that it might have had years ago. In fact, this time around, it might not be the first thing you need to succeed in your job search, but it probably is the final thing you need to close the deal.

To understand this concept, it might be a good idea to first envision a scenario. Imagine for a minute that you are the CEO of a prominent multi-billion dollar organization. You’re very well known. And, you have a rolodex plump full of powerful people. These people know you well and understand how valuable you are. Even before you’re “on the market,” they have their eye on you. When you pick up the phone to start your search, you know exactly who to call. And, when they get your call they are thrilled to nab you for their organization. You practically have the offer before you ever need to give them a resume. In fact, you don’t give anyone your resume “unless and until” you feel that they are worthy to receive it. By the time they’re ready to give you the offer, the resume is only a token and you already have the job.

Okay, so maybe your current career transition is not going exactly like this. But, there is no reason that it can’t in the future. For now, your resume will need to do some work if you are to close your next opportunity.

In your current job search, your resume does hold some power, but it does not hold the same kind of power as it did in earlier days. For example, when you started out in your very first job, you might have been asked to fill out an application form. Then, as you progressed in your career, a nicely presented homemade resume was appropriate to send to recruiters. Once you were established and started to target more senior positions, you probably retained a resume writer and started to supplement your resume with a nice cover letter. Now, you are in the right situation to nab a good senior-level position, networking becomes vital and your professionally written resume is presented after you have secured the opportunity to meet. And, when you do meet, the resume becomes part of the portfolio you present to recruiters and potential employers.

Instead of relying so heavily on the resume on the front-end of your search, focus your energy on targeted networking. Invest most of your valuable time on a job search that aggressively opens up connections. Target leaders and decision makers who are in a position to create a job opening and offer it to you.

Of course, you still need to present yourself well. The difference is that you are now using your resume as a supporting document that validates the first impression and message that you gave your new contacts.

If you are networking and presenting yourself effectively in the job search, people will have a very high expectation of you as a leader in your area of expertise. People expect that you walk the talk. You’ll find that your resume and complete portfolio becomes the package of material that supports what you have told the people you met.

So, you can see that your resume may not open the door, but it certainly can slam it shut if you don’t present yourself well. As you develop your new portfolio, make sure that your resume supports your good networking efforts and presents you the way you represent yourself in person. In no time, your resume will help you to acquire a profitable and rewarding position.

 

Graham Management Group is known for excellence and innovation in resume, interview, and career strategy. We are the leading national firm specializing in progressive solutions for executives, managers, and senior-level professionals.