Why Are So Many People Still Out of Work?

My hypothesis as to why so many people are still out of work is the they do not know how to talk about their talents in a way that the future employer understands.  It is as if the job seeker is speaking a different language and the employer doesn't understand.

The reason this is happening?  The majority of job seekers don't take the time to customize their written tools (cover letters, resumes, marketing plans, bios, profiles). Is it ignorance or laziness? In either case, it is "fixable" with the right perspective and research!

As I was thinking about writing this post I thought I would share how to customize a resume based on the requirements of a job posting.  Lo and behold, Louise Fletcher at Blue Sky Resume, has done exactly this!  Thanks Louise.  You did it better than I could have ever done.  Please, visit her blog now and read this posting if you have any doubts on how to customize your resume for a job posting!

I have vented too on the frustration in receiving documents claiming to be resumes for specific job postings. Is Your Resume Meeting the Needs of the Employer. 

If you think you are customizing your resume, think again.  Ask someone from a different industry to read it and see what they think.  I have seen job seekers use company jargon and terminology that frequently doesn't match with the job they are applying for.  They think they've changed enough to make it a match. 

Remember, the job posting is the RFP (request for proposal).  Your resume is your proposal.  It need not include every thing you CAN do.  It needs to focus on what the posting is asking for.  If you don't know the needs of the employer or their industry, you will have to do some research.  This is another reason why you need to get out and network.  I wrote a post about getting your head out of the sand to help understand what networking really is.  Rita Carey so nicely stated the other night that networking is about research not job search!  

The other really important thing to remember is that job search is more than applying for on-line jobs.  That is not a strategy, it is an tactic and one that doesn't net a high return on your investment.  Certainly do it, but, everything in moderation. 

Comments

[Career Sherpa]

Hi Mike:
Communication of the right information is the key. I agree, submitting the resume and crossing your fingers is NOT the right approach. However, if you are going to submit a resume for a job posting (as step 1) then it has to be customized.
Step 2 is finding people you can meet who work for that company.
Technically, step 2 should come first, because most good jobs never, ever get posted.
You make some good points and I hope people hear what you've said!

[mikelally]

you have me thinking...the resume is the LEAST you need to do. you can create a resume, submit it, and pray. There comes a point where you have to ENGAGE. On a personal level. Human to human. And I think THOSE skills are really lacking as well.

Networking is CRITICAL. And I DON'T mean creating a (lame) profile on Linkedin and calling that "networking". It's not. Networking is getting out and putting yourself in front of people - sweaty palms and mini-heart-attacks included.

There are a ton of people unemployed right now. More than we can count. Many of them are UNemployable. And that is a huge problem.