Résumés: How Important Are They?
As a professional résumé writer, I am constantly asked this question by clients. While one might think it’s a bit insulting to my line of work, I do not disagree with the notion of questioning the general importance of résumés.
On one hand, a strongly written and well-formatted résumé can engage a hiring manager (not to mention pass a computerized Applicant Tracking System), open doors and potentially lead to a great job. One cannot deny that an excellent résumé, both content-wise and visually speaking, is vital to landing a good job and, in turn, resulting in positive career growth.
That said, simply possessing an amazing set of professional documents (inclusive of a résumé and cover letter) is not enough to obtain a job, especially not in this job market. Rather, a résumé and cover letter set (because most industries still require both) are really just tools in a job seeker’s Career Path Tool Kit. Additional tools include the knowledge of multiple networking techniques (in-person and on-line), strong interviewing skills as well as the development of a strategic, targeted Career Action Plan. Though this list is far from exhaustive, it does provide a glimpse into what one needs consider using when going through the job search process.
For those interested in coaching as well as overhauling their professional documents, the résumé provides both of us with a foundation for understanding the scope of that individual’s background, skills and objective. Throughout the résumé-writing process, we build a strong foundation necessary for moving forward into coaching. Of course, within mere days, the client has a résumé (and cover letter) in hand; as we collaborate on optimal career paths, she already has the documents necessary to start contacting people about potential opportunities.
Returning to my tool box analogy (a personal favorite from my ever-growing arsenal of career analogies), the résumé/cover letter documents are important, but so are networking skills, one’s ability to stand out in an interview, the creation/execution of a Career Action Plan, etc. If an individual is looking to be both smart and strategic in her job search, I advise collaborating with a trusted career-minded individual on how to identify, select and properly use all of the tools at her disposal. When done the optimal way, she will create the optimal career path for her experience, skills and objective. The bottom-line? Résumés are important but a smart career professional will use all of the tools in her tool box to achieve significant career growth.
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Emily Kapit, MS, CPRW is the Lead Coach and Résumé Write for ReFresh Your Step Coaching & Consulting. She strives to tailor her client work to each person’s individual needs as well as make the process as enjoyable as possible. Though she enjoys her “Career Tool Box” analogy, she feels it is important to point out that the tools in her actual tool box are all pink; she’s quite proud of this fact.
