Resumes and Screeners
Kent R.
Q: I just read your post about a resume not being a magic bullet. No argument there. However, you hear a lot about how an effective resume appeals expertly to automated resume screening systems. Doesn't that make a well crafted resume a bit of a magic bullet? A: Great question. Resume screening software is, of course, a huge reality in the employment landscape. So, yes, a well composed resume is critical in that regard and is more likely to get "hits" than one that doesn't pay attention to keywords.
However, with the rough economy, a well composed resume isn't enough. You need an outstanding resume that gets in the hands of decision makers. Employment tracking systems are flooded with applicants. Keywords simply aren't enough to differentiate you.
That's exactly why all job seekers need a multi-pronged approach. A quality resume is the foundation – the most important piece – of that approach, but it's not all you need.
More and more, people are getting jobs via people they know. You need to have a killer resume, but you also need to think beyond automated screeners as a sole strategy for getting it noticed.