Here are the problems that arose with three job seekers:
- Bob wants to transition to a new career but his search always leads him back to the same position he holds now.
- Carol decides her future job title is critical; she’s determined to move up to the VP level.
- Frank applies for anything and everything indiscriminately.
In each case, there is a disconnect between the job seeker and the job market.
In the first case, to qualify for a different position, field, or industry, Bob and his resume must both look to the future. Bob must be comfortable looking for, writing about, and talking about the transferrable skills and accomplishments that would most impress a new employer. As discussed in an earlier blog post on transitioning skills, Bob must focus his resume on the requirements of the job he wants, not the jobs he held in the past.
In the second case, because job titles have become all important to Carol, she is bound to overlook relevant job listings. Companies of different sizes, in different locations, in different industries—even divisions within those companies—differ in their use of job titles. A Director in a larger company may actually be above the pay and prestige level of a Vice President in another, smaller company.
In the last case, Frank’s main goal is to get a job (any job). However, companies are seeking someone who will meet their specific needs and advance the company’s goals. It is not the company’s duty to figure out where Frank fits; it is Frank’s duty to show where he fits. Frank’s resume must demonstrate that his skills and accomplishments will benefit the company or the company has no reason to consider him.
Before you decide that you are locked into a career path, that your job title is a deal breaker, or that it is okay to have no idea where your career is going, please inquire about my professional services as a certified Job and Career Transition Coach (JCTC) and a certified resume writer. I can help you with the steps that lead to a winning resume and the interviews you really want.