RANDOM RESUMES get lost and forgotten, and often lead nowhere.

Are you sending out random resumes to any and all advertised jobs, ones  that only you think you could perform?

Are you on “auto” applications list with a number of job sites? Do you send the same resume to a variety of job advertisements? Are you maintaining a list of where your resume is sent?

STOP IT! It’s doing you more harm than good.

Here’s  four main reasons why:-

1. as amazing as you are, face it – there are some jobs that are just not suitable for you
2. most employers will dismiss your resume anyway as they can’t see the relevance
3. it wastes time and effort for all parties
4. it “pigeon holes” you as “desperate”

We know how difficult the job market is, we know you are super keen to get your resume out there, however, fishing with the wrong bait only leads to frustration and disappointment. The intended reader wants to see that you the foundation and core skills required for the role advertised. They want to know that they are not wasting their time.  For example, if your past work history was working as a environmental ranger, working predominately outdoors, and with loads of other people – and you apply for an indoor  role within administration, working predominately indoors within a back office, and often alone – then you will have to demonstrate and prove in your resume that you have either the experience or the core skills to perform that role.

The reader can not,  and often,  will not, perform a leap of faith.  They will be asking themselves “why has this person applied for my role?”. They may even think you are a wee bit silly.

In summary, don’t apply for a job unless you can match the job description at least 80%. Don’t send random resumes that lead nowhere. Don’t use the same cookie cutter resume for each and every job application.

Ivana Agapiou resume writer and career advisor