The Dangers of a DIY Resume

In the face of economic uncertainty and a possible recession, companies across all sectors have been feeling the pinch today’s economic climate and are responding by cutting costs wherever they can, including cuts to the workforce. In today’s job market, a well-written resume that proves your value is an essential tool in your search for your next position. While a DIY resume may help you save a few bucks on the front side of your search, there are several dangers associated with a DIY resume that you should be aware of before you start typing.

Your Resume Is a Marketing Document

Even if you have a knack for writing, chances are you don’t have the time or expertise to write a resume that truly stands out from the crowd and markets the value + expertise you bring to your next role.

Unfortunately, the majority of DIY resumes are focused on tasks and responsibilities and fail to ignite the interest of potential employers. A well-written resume is a one-of-a-kind document that provides the reader with a snapshot of your unique value and proof you are the answer to their needs.

A generic resume is not going to cut it in today’s competitive job market. You need to make sure that your resume highlights skills and experience relevant to the position you’re interest in pursuing and proves why you are the best candidate for the job. If it doesn’t, chances are good that it will end up in the trash.

Your Resume Isn’t About You

Your resume is a job search tool that plays a role in helping you win interviews. If you are being passed over, your resume isn’t doing its job.

The Wayne Gretzky quote, “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.” is a great model for resume writing. You write toward your future, helping the hiring manager learn more about your skills, experiences, accomplishments, and academic background through sharing a cohesive story about your career.

Your Resume Gives Too Much Information

To attract interest, most DIY resumes present the reader with too many details. Your resume is not an obituary of your career, and it should not include every detail of the jobs you’ve held.

Instead, think of your resume as a snapshot of your ability to deliver results in alignment with the employer’s needs.

Your Resume Lacks Keywords

If you are using online job boards, your resume needs to contain the right keywords to be found by employers. If you’re not familiar with how recruiting software works, you could easily miss out on important keywords that could help your resume get noticed. As a result, your resume may never even be seen by human eyes.

Write for the human first, and the bots second but both want to see appropriate keywords in alignment with the role you are pursuing and your industry. A word of caution: do not stuff your resume with keywords that you cannot prove you have through your experience, training, and/or accomplishments.

There are a lot of DIY options out there for job seekers to choose from, including resume templates and outdated advice via articles and blog posts that can cost you time and opportunities.

Before you go it alone, consider the benefits of getting support from a certified master resume writer who can help you make sure your resume is targeted, relevant, easy to read, and highlights your career story in a way that stands out.

Need help positioning yourself for your next role? I’m here for you. With more than 20 years of experience helping Directors of Manufacturing, Cyber Security Managers, Account Managers, Audit, Risk, & Compliance Managers, VP of Colleague Experience, HR Managers and and other mid- and senior-level professionals just like you make a great first impression. We can guide you through the process of creating an amazing resume that will open doors!