Needs Carolyn La Rue, who manages a career assistance center for Resource Consultants, Inc., based in Vienna, VA, recommends you consider the purpose of each resume you submit to determine whether it would be more effective to narrow your options or to expand them. And your objective should state just that. If you are applying for a specific job, use the job title. These skills can come from work situations or leadership positions. For example, an experienced customer service representative, an effective administrative associate, or proven record of leadership through presidency of student government are valid examples.
Employers receive hundreds of resumes weekly.
If figuring out your job objective isn't the problem, but identifying openings is, first get back to the basics of uncovering vacancies by using your school's Career Center, the want ads and by keeping an open mind. There are pockets of jobs that minorities always seem to ignore, like those in colleges and universities. Second, add new sources to your repertoire such as contacting your school's alumni association and professional organizations for the chance to attend upcoming events that will expose you to professionals connected with your career field. Third, incorporate creative strategies into your efforts by familiarizing yourself with what industries make up the job market and how your skills might fit into them. For example, if you are looking for a computer programmer job, look beyond the obvious computer companies.