No, You Can't Do Without a Resume

Howard Nestler over on Blue Steps thinks executives should do away with the resume as a job search tool:

Nestler makes the point that when executives default to using a resume as a means of promoting, they have given up all the advantages that their skill, intellect and experience have provided them. “They become part of the crowd,” Nestler asserts. “Imagine a political candidate running for office by merely circulating a resume.”

“An executive must begin to see himself or herself as a product with discernable qualities and characteristics that set them apart from the many options a company has in today’s job market.” Nestler goes on to say that, “Executives must then headline their campaign with these qualities, which is something a resume does not do.”

I could not disagree more! Most resumes don't do that, it is true. But the good ones do. To suggest that senior executives can somehow do away with a resume is a complete myth and could only be suggested by someone who fundamentally doesn't understand the hiring process at most organizations.

Try telling the headhunter who calls you about a great CEO opportunity that you don't have a resume because you are above all that. The headhunter's response would likely be "well write one and send it over to me ASAP." And when a company expresses interest in you after your networking efforts paid off, how do you think they'll respond to being told "sorry, I don't use a resume."

Perhaps what Nestler means to say is that the average resume isn't effective.There I would agree with him and I've written extensively on the subject. No matter what level (entry or executive) your resume must communicate your unique story. It must show why you are the perfect person to help your target company to meet its goals. It must help you to stand out, showing why you are uniquely qualified for the role. All this takes time and effort, but its well worth the work.

For more on how to write a game-changing resume, feel free to download my free report: The 3 Inside Secrets that Will Transform your Resume. Or buy a book. Or study samples online. Just don't follow Howard's advice and try to dispense with a resume altogether

Cross-posted at Blue Sky Resumes Blog

Comments

[darringrella]

I happen to have a different opinion on this. I feel that it is difficult today to effectively market and/or present oneself without a resume I don't see longevity in them. With all of the social and professional networking tools, there is going to be a dramatic shift in the traditional interviewing process. We have been able to pursue numerous candidates without ever requesting a resume.
There are many different points to argue I suppose. Not to seem indecisive however I agree with points from each of you. There are times when a resume is necessary. I also feel that the future of the resume is seeing an end. I was raised by old school, hard core recruiters that used resumes to talk with candidates but you would be choked and then fired if you ever gave a resume to an employer. That may be why my opinion is slighted. Recruiters who rely on communicating with people through a resume need some coaching and study on how to build relationships.
Just my opinion.

[Charlie]

When I left a position last year, I had 25 inbound job leads--from my blog, which now has 2700 subscribers. The few that then went on to ask for a resume seemed oddly out of touch, b/c most of these people had been following my career progress for a while. They were already connected to me on LinkedIn and had been reading. I think more and more, for knowledge workers/upper management, you're going to want to see someone's digital presence, which looks more like a career journal/blog than a list of bullet points.

[Louise Fletcher]

I agree with both of you that alternatives are desirable and that in many cases the alternatives will lead to employment. I also agree that the resume will change in the future, although I'm unclear as to how it will change.

But I think that whatever the change is, it will come from companies and recruiters and not from candidates deciding to do away with the resume. Right now, the vast majority of positions - eve at senior levels - are still filled using resumes, and all the recruitment technology and candidate tracking systems are designed to track and store resumes.

I want to encourage people to be creative - and getting yourself in a position here you don't need a resume because you're so sough after is ideal - but I think the reality for most people still involves a traditional resume.