Yesterday I watched a newsclip on a resume service that now creates car magnets for people that are desperately seeking a job. The news analyst said that people are frustrated that their resumes aren’t getting looked at by employers so they’ve turned to having signs created that say “I need a Job” in bold letters followed by a short list of their skills (in smaller letters).
The sad part to this story is how the (so called) resume expert thought this was a great way to set themselves apart. He’s half right I suppose. It’s a great way to set yourself apart as someone who is desperate enough to take any job out there.
Stuff like this just grinds on me sometimes. Here’s a company who is supposed to know how to position their clients for target industries, and is advising them to buy a car magnet that says nothing of substance about what these job seekers can offer- Just “I Need a Job… because I’m a nice guy!”
Here’s a hint as to why these people’s resumes aren’t getting a look- they don’t seek to offer value first! You know, “Here’s how I can help your company Mr. Johnson….”. I really wonder how many people who bought these silly car magnets really took the time to research target companies, study their industry, and provide solutions in a more creative way than just the same boring resume style that everyone else uses. Why not hire a copywriter instead of a resume writer to create your sales piece? Why not have a website or blog that discusses the skills and abilities that you bring to the table.
It’s a tough market, but that just means people have to work harder to position and sell themselves in the marketplace.
