Don't Let Your Resume Go To Waste

Where most jobseekers fall short in maximizing their resume is that they simply use the resume to apply for positions they see advertised — on job boards and company websites, in newspapers and trade journals, and through recommendations from friends.

When applying for positions, don’t just send in your resume and hope for a callback. Instead, maximize your chances of securing an interview by making a personal contact within the company. You can use online networking sites like LinkedIn, BranchOut, and Glassdoor to identify possible contacts. You may find that you already know someone who works for the employer (or you know someone who knows someone), or you can identify a hiring manager by name by researching the company. (Start with a simple Google search, and check out the company’s website.)

Don’t stop with simply applying for jobs you see advertised. You can also use the resume to apply for unadvertised positions. This involves researching companies you’d like to work for, finding a contact at the company (again, using LinkedIn, BranchOut, and Glassdoor), and sending your resume with an introductory letter outlining why you’d like to work for the company. When you have a clear picture of the type of position you want — and the company you’d like to work for — it gives you a real direction for your job search. You know who to target and where to apply, and if you’re approaching a company that isn’t currently advertising an opening, you’re also not competing with dozens — or hundreds, or thousands — of other jobseekers.