With the advent of online job boards and a whole host of digital submission options, you might think that the printed version of your résumé is obsolete.
But you’d be wrong.
According to most hiring managers in Connecticut, although the days of mailing job applications are rapidly coming to an end, a paper résumé can still make or break your bid for a job. Here are a few reasons why:
- Recruiters like to make notes on the paper version of your résumé while they’re interviewing you.
- Many CT small businesses lack sophisticated digital recruiting technology.
- For some, paper résumés are easier to read and to scan for grammatical errors and typos.
- A résumé on nice stock paper shows that you have a sense of decorum (i.e., that you understand interviewing rules of engagement and are willing to follow them).
- Paper is still top currency at job fairs, where recruiters expect them. QR codes printed on business cards are slick, but you should also bring the low-tech, hard copy version along.
But, is a paper résumé really all you’ll need to find a great job? Probably not. To compete in today’s crowded job market, we at A.R. Mazzotta recommend taking a blended approach to your job hunt. Combine the following elements to create a comprehensive search that uncovers every available opportunity:
- Create and maintain multiple versions of your résumé. Make sure your résumé adheres to the latest standards and be sure to customize it for each job to which you apply.
- Use social media. Have you tried LinkedIn yet? If not, it’s high time. This site allows you to connect with people you know, view job postings, obtain recommendations, and get introduced to people who work at companies where you’d like to work. As another option, try Twitter. This social networking and microblogging utility enables you to connect with people you don’t know, based on common interests – a great way to network.
- Read-up on résumé “how-to’s”. Learn everything you can about résumé preparation and the job search process. For more tips, check out these earlier posts from A.R. Mazzotta:
- Work with an experienced recruiter in Connecticut. Whether you’re looking for an administrative, light industrial, executive management or technical position, A.R. Mazzotta can get you on the path to employment today.