Resume Tip #10: Narrow Your Focus- Think Laser Beam Not Shotgun!

One of the most common mistakes people make when they go looking for a job is to cast the broadest net possible hoping that “something will come along.”  I hear it all the time: “What kind of work are you looking for?”  “Oh, I will do ANYTHING!”  Really?  You will do anything?  Then why aren’t you sweeping the sidewalk or washing windows for a living?

Contemporary wisdom tells us to use a “shotgun approach” to finding a job–firing off resumes in every direction. Truth is, this approach is expensive and unproductive.  It’s one of the major sources of pain and frustrations for every job seeker.  One thing we know to be CERTAIN is that if you aim at nothing, you are very likely to hit it.  In order to be successful, you MUST focus on your target market.

Here are three reasons why focusing your target market is a good thing:

• Focusing your target helps you get crystal clear about what you have to offer. What do you have to offer that nobody else does?  What makes you unique?  Focus on that and you will shine.
• Focusing your target allows your networking partners to think of specific people to introduce you to. Networking (or word of mouth) is the most effective marketing tool around. Whether you are  looking for a job or trying to find new clients, your best shot is to empower your network.  Using the shotgun approach just confuses your network because they don’t know how to refer people to you.
• Focusing your target will help you set goals for your career marketing campaign.  If you know what you are looking for, you can leverage your time and energy.  Every call, every resume, every cover letter, and every conversation moves you in the direction of your goal! When you are moving in the right direction, you can measure your progress and you are much more likely to succeed.

For maximum impact, your resume should be clearly focused on meeting the needs of a specific employer, company, or industry. The more focused, the more successful you will be in finding your perfect career position.

More Resume Tips

Resume Tip #1: Focus On Your Accomplishments

Resume Tip #2: Professional Summary Not Objective

Resume Tip #3: Nobody Cares What You Know… Until They Know You Care

Resume Tip #4: Look Forward Rather Than Backwards

Resume Tip #5: The Education Section

Resume Tip #6: Prove It! Quantify Whenever Possible.

Resume Tip #7: Include Dates or Not? (and how far back do you go?)

Resume Tip #8: What About The Cover Letter?

Resume Tip #9: Close the Gaps