Here are the latest facts for you:

• For every available job there are at least 3 qualified applicants (just like you!)
• For jobs that come with a $100k salary sticker…some cities are showing 10 qualified applicants for every ONE job
• The average job search is taking 4.4 months (yikes!)

What does this all mean might you ask? The competition is fierce and employers see the times as a buyer’s market.

In 2009 your job search must be bulletproof. From strategy to execution and it all begins with your resume.

I review hundreds of resumes a week and let me tell you that there is nothing that will set you apart from your competition as easily as a professionally written resume or a poorly written resume for that matter. It doesn’t matter if you are talking with friends, family, recruiters, or potential employers. Your resume is a professional perception of you and it gives you the ability to get in doors. Use it to your advantage.

1. Do not mass market your resume out and send the same bland cover letter out to everyone. This shows a lack of effort and interest in the job, the employer, and the person you are sending to. Personalize each and every cover to the best of your abilities. Focus your letter to the position you are applying for and show how you can or have added value within that role or a role similar. Don’t talk or think in hypotheticals. Talk, act and think in tangibles.

Right now companies are very risk-adverse to hiring. Use the economy to your advantage and state your claim why hiring you DOES make so much sense. Spell it out in tangible metrics.

2. Do not send the same resume out to every job you apply for. This is a very poor tactical decision and one that is probably the reason why some of you are scratching your heads wondering why no one has called you and you THINK you are perfect for that job you sent your resume in for over a month ago. Your resume is a like a professional marketing piece. You already know who your target audience is, now make sure that you show them why they should buy from you. Do this by tailoring your achievements and bullet points to contain key words that are mentioned in the job description.

Over the past several months I’ve been recommending several firms that write top notch resumes. Honestly, this might be a great investment for you if you can find someone in your budget. If you want to know who I recommend then just shoot me an email.

For more on career tips, check out these posts:

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This entry was posted on Friday, December 4th, 2009 at 9:13 am and is filed under Job Search, Resumes, Specialization. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.