The Replacement, pt 1
It’s a little bit funny, this feeling inside…
Oh, sorry. Forgot I was here, writing this blog post, because I’m feeling a tornado of emotions (mostly a happy tornado with a few drops of sad mixed in) and for me, emotion always brings a song to mind, even a really cheesy song.
Here’s the deal: I’m leaving CVJ, and I’m in charge of finding my replacement.
And how does this tie in to job-seeker advice? Well, for years, I’ve been writing about the best ways for job-seekers to approach the job hunt game. I’ve suggested ways to distinguish yourself from your competitors, how you should send materials to employers, how you should tailor your resume to the employer’s need by doing a little prior research, and much more.
And now that I’m on the receiving end of this process, I’m finding it quite frustrating. I have received resumes without cover letters. I have received cover letters that don’t connect our job requirements with the applicant’s qualifications (or, almost worse, a cover letter containing no helpful info).
I’ve received many resumes featuring a zillion different job history entries with no clear story of how the person meets our needs, in addition to having seen those resumes from people who appear not to qualify for this position despite the detailed description on the job posting. Now some of that would be OK if these elements were addressed and somehow overcome in the cover letter, but alas, it’s nowhere to be found.
In a strange way, I feel vindicated because what I’ve been urging you to do really does make a difference to the employer. I know this now, because it will make the difference in the choice we make for hiring my replacement. So, once again, here’s a brief summary of my job hunt suggestions. Please try to use these tips in your own job search:
- Tailor each resume & cover letter to the position you’re applying for. Yes, that means you might have to rewrite your resume, but that’s OK. A resume is a document which is designed to sell your skills to the employer. It takes into account the employer’s needs. So how could that document possibly be the same for every job or employer out there? It couldn’t.
- Include a cover letter even if the employer isn’t asking for one specifically. Read the instructions on how you are supposed to apply. Cover letters help the employer connect the dots between you, your resume, and the job opportunity. You can find templates to cover letters all over the Internet, and you can then customize them for particular jobs. No excuse for neglecting this. It’s basic applicant etiquette.
- Spell out how your qualifications meet the employer’s requirements. If it looks like we’ll have to work to unearth your qualifications for our position, we’re going to put your resume in the Do Not Call pile. Remember, you are allowed to edit your resume so it doesn’t list all the inconsequential jobs you’ve held. You have our permission to rewrite your resume to de-emphasize spotty work history dates.
All right friends, that’s the way it goes. I feel like some sort of ranting & raving Donald Trump-type goofball (with great hair, of course) right now, but I am really empathizing with employers right now. You know. With this whole girly emotion thing I’ve got, the tornado and all.
