Whether
or not you are looking for a job, you should keep your resume
up to date. Pull out your portfolio (you do have a portfolio,
don't you?) and blow the dust off your resume. Now buff
it up till it shines.
If you will be applying for several different
jobs, you will need several different resumes. For
example, if one job asks for people involved in the community,
you should send a resume that includes your volunteer service
and membership on local boards. Another job posting may invite
people with extensive programming skills. For that job, you
should send a resume that includes all your programming knowledge
and training.
Cover letters should also be tweaked for specific
jobs. A cover
letter that zings may set your resume apart from all the
others in the stack. If you think it's too much work to customize
your resume and letters to different companies, consider how
you would choose an applicant if you were hiring. Would you
pick the generic letter with some of the qualifications you
asked for, or would you choose the letter and resume that
fits your ad to a T?
Your new, professional and up-to-date resume
should give you plenty of confidence as you prepare for your
interviews.
--
Text by Amy
Fleitas,
illustrations by Brandy Kesl.
