How to work a resume

by Jeri Hird Dutcher, ResumeEdge.com Editor, CPRW

You have your new resume, and it’s hot. You know who you want to work for. Now, you need to get an interview.

Don’t worry about whether there’s a job opening. Even if there is, just sending your resume to the name in an ad won’t necessarily make you stand out. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Find the person who makes the hiring decision. This is not usually the Human Relations person listed on an ad. It is usually a department head or team supervisor.

2. Ask for an informational interview, even if no job openings exist.

3. Send a thank you letter confirming your appointment when you get one.

4. Dazzle them with your knowledge of the company because you’ve done your homework.

5. Leave your resume with the person after you chat.

6. Send a thank you letter repeating a few of your stellar qualifications and express gratitude for his or her time and willingness to see you. Ask to be considered when a job becomes available.

Even if you don’t get to talk to the head cheese, the mice can make your visit worthwhile. I wanted to find out more about a position I was considering, so, I visited the office. The executive director who was leaving wasn’t in, so I talked with the secretary. She happened to be writing some descriptions for a brochure, and I offered to help. She loved what I wrote and sang my praises to the board for the next two weeks. I got an interview – and the job.

Jeri Hird Dutcher is a Certified Professional Resume Writer from Minnesota with a BA in English and concentration in writing. She started writing resumes professionally in 1987 and enjoys writing all types of resumes. Her background includes journalism, higher education, public relations and freelance editing. Request Jeri for your ResumeEdge.com product by keying in her last name only, no caps (dutcher) in the 'request your editor' field of the ResumeEdge.com online form. http://www.resumeedge.com/