So, you’re eager to get hired, and you’ve been sending out resumes left and right. But you’re not getting the interview calls you hoped for. The harsh truth might be: your resume stinks. As a hiring manager, I’ve seen countless resumes, and honestly, many of them miss the mark. If you want to boost your chances of landing an interview and finally getting that dream job, it’s time to use the right career tools to fix your stinky resume.
Why Your Resume Might Stink (and How to Diagnose It)
The primary goal of your resume is simple: to make a hiring manager want to talk to you. It needs to clearly communicate what you excel at, what you’ve actually accomplished, and what motivates you. Shockingly, many resumes fail at even the most basic aspects of this. Let’s diagnose why your resume might be turning off potential employers.
Lack of Detail: The Bare Minimum Isn’t Enough
Applying for a job without a comprehensive and current resume is like trying to fix a car with no tools. It just won’t work. I’ve reviewed applications that literally contained just a name and an email address. No resume, no LinkedIn profile, nothing. These go straight to the reject pile.
Your LinkedIn profile should be treated as a living, breathing resume. A detailed profile can even serve as a substitute for a PDF resume. Ideally, you should have both. Every work experience entry needs the company name, your job title, dates of employment, and a description of your responsibilities and achievements. Many LinkedIn profiles I encounter only list the company, dates, and title. That’s not enough information, even if you worked at a well-known company. For tech roles, specifically list the technologies you used in each role. This is crucial if the job requires specific tech skills. And remember, while you can highlight your accomplishments, never lie or exaggerate your skills to the point of falsehood.
Impersonal Applications: Where’s the Real You?
In a sea of applications, most resumes look strikingly similar. They become generic and blend together. To stand out, you need to inject personality into your application.
Start with a brief personal bio at the top of your resume. Tell me who you are, what you’re passionate about, and what you’re seeking in your next role. This is your chance to showcase your individuality and make a memorable first impression. For example, you might write something like: “A highly motivated marketing professional with a passion for digital strategy and community building, seeking a challenging role in a dynamic and innovative company.” This gives a glimpse into your personality beyond just job titles and dates.
Also, ditch the generic cover letter templates. It’s obvious when you’re using a template, especially with the rise of AI writing tools. I’ve seen batches of cover letters that are almost identical, just with a few details changed. If you write a cover letter, make it genuine and personal. Explain why you’re enthusiastic about the specific role and why you believe you’re a great fit for the company. If you can’t personalize it, it’s better to skip the cover letter altogether. And avoid starting with clichés like “With over X years of experience…” That’s how 90% of cover letters begin.
Instead, lead with something interesting and unique to you. For example, instead of “With five years of marketing experience…”, try something like “From launching viral social media campaigns to driving a 30% increase in website traffic, my passion is creating impactful marketing strategies…” This immediately grabs attention and highlights your achievements in a more engaging way.
Don’t forget to include your most significant personal projects. If you’re applying for a software engineering position, showcase the apps or websites you’ve built. For a design role, present your design portfolio. Your best work might be outside of formal employment, and I want to see it! Whenever possible, link to your work online, whether it’s websites, app store links, blog posts, or videos. If you’ve done something impressive, make it easy for me to see it.
Missing the Extra Mile: Passion Projects and Proactive Steps
If you’ve found a job that truly excites you, going the extra mile in your application can significantly increase your chances.
Leverage your network. Reach out to your connections to see if anyone knows someone at the company you’re applying to, even if it’s in a different department. If you have a good relationship, ask for a transparent introduction and if they’d be willing to put in a good word for you. If you’re unsure about the strength of your connection, ask for honest feedback first. Don’t push if they’re uncomfortable making an introduction. This highlights the importance of building genuine professional relationships – you never know when you might need a favor, and reciprocal kindness goes a long way.
Reach out to the hiring manager directly. Especially at startups, the hiring manager might be the CEO or founder. At larger companies, it’s likely a senior leader. They are usually findable online. A polite and concise message expressing your interest and highlighting relevant skills can make you stand out.
Engage with the product or service. If the company has a product, use it. If you like it, explain why. If you see areas for improvement, offer constructive feedback. Applying to a developer tools company? Try their tools and build something. Share your creation with the team or even submit a pull request to fix a bug or suggest a feature. This demonstrates your passion for the company and product, your communication and collaboration skills, and your initiative.
Career Tools to Make Your Resume Shine (and Get You Hired)
To summarize, you have powerful career tools at your disposal to transform a stinky resume into a standout application. It takes effort, but the payoff – landing your dream job – is worth it.
Craft a Detailed and Updated Resume: Your Foundation Tool
This is your essential tool. Ensure your resume is not just a list of jobs, but a compelling narrative of your skills and accomplishments. Use action verbs to describe your responsibilities and quantify your achievements whenever possible. Regularly update your resume and tailor it to each specific job application to highlight the most relevant experiences and skills.
Personalize Your Application: Make a Human Connection
Use your bio and cover letter to inject personality into your application. Show your enthusiasm and passion. Connect your unique experiences and perspectives to the role and company. Remember, hiring managers are looking for people, not just robots with skills.
Leverage Your Network and Go the Extra Mile: Advanced Career Tools
Networking and proactive engagement are your advanced career tools. Don’t underestimate the power of personal connections and demonstrating genuine interest. Reaching out to your network and directly engaging with the company shows initiative and commitment that can set you apart from other applicants.
By using these career tools to address why your resume might stink, you significantly improve your odds of getting that interview and landing the job you truly want. It’s about putting in the work to showcase your best self and make a genuine connection with potential employers.
