More often than not I hear HR professionals recommend candidates to tailor their resume towards a specific job description. This apparently increases one’s likelihood to be called for that initial phone interview. In all honesty, such a practice makes me cringe. Here’s why.
1. Changing your resume to what you think I want to hear is BS. It’s like going on a blind date with someone who’s trying way too hard to seem relatable. …Actually, I tested someone out on that once by expressing my (sarcastic) appreciation for North Korea. The response: “Oh my God! I totally see where you’re coming from…Kim Jong Il is just misunderstood!” Winner winner, chicken dinner.
2. On a practical level, you either have the skills I’m looking for or you don’t. It’s a disservice to yourself if you attempt to pretend otherwise. Believe me, I’ll cut the interaction if I can tell you’re faking it. Shortest interview I’ve conducted was 9 minutes; and that was me being gentle and allowing the candidate to ask the questions she had. NEDM…
3. On a more cerebral and encouraging level, please don’t stress out about inserting the ‘correct’ verbs or adjectives in your resume. If you’re truly meant to make a career love connection, your verbiage will be aligned with that which the company uses.
So really it all comes down to the adage ‘just be yourself’. This is increasingly difficult for the masses of genuinely talented people who have been out of work for an extended period of time. But I urge you to keep it real for the benefit of everyone involved. Lest you be lookin’ for love in all the wrong places…
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