5 Hard Truths: The Real Cost of Using a Generic Resume in Your Job Hunt

Job seekers, take note: generic resumes can be detrimental to your job hunt.

1. Uniformity Blends In, Not Stands Out

A generic resume often fades into the crowd.

In a competitive job market, a unique, customized resume is crucial to catch the eye of the recruiter. Imagine a pile of 100 resumes—all similar, save for one that's tailored for the job. Which one will stand out?

Be that one.

It’s also not realistic to try to customize your resume to 100+ different jobs. Be selective about the roles you apply to where you need to customize your resume. Save it for the positions you’re really excited about, and invest the time you would have spent customizing your resume into making connections at those target companies.

2. Generic Resumes Miss the Mark

Generic resumes often fail to address specific job requirements.

Every role has unique needs and responsibilities. By tailoring your resume to fit these, you demonstrate understanding and capability. For instance, if a job requires proficiency in specific software, mention your experience with it.

Generic is a miss. Specificity is a hit.

Use LinkedIn’s job search features like skills match, Build A Resume, and keyword suggestions to optimize your profile for the skills most desired in your target roles. 

3. Lost Opportunities Due to Lack of Personalization

Using a generic resume costs you job opportunities.

When a hiring manager reads your resume, they should feel like it was written just for them. If you've done your research and know the company's mission and values, let it show. For example, if a company values sustainability, highlight your involvement in a green initiative.

Impress with insight, not cookie-cutter content.

You can discover more about a company’s values by visiting their LinkedIn Company Page, especially the Life section. This is where you can see trending employee content (the perfect opportunity to engage) and read about their mission, values, and culture. 

While you’re there be sure to do two things: 

1. Engage with the company’s content so LinkedIn will spotlight your profile to recruiters as someone likely to respond.
2. Click the “I’m interested” button on their about page so that recruiters will be notified that you’re interested in opportunities.

4. Lack of Value Demonstration

Generic resumes struggle to demonstrate your value. No value = no interview.

An employer wants to see how you can contribute to their organization. Using a generic resume means you miss the chance to highlight how your specific skills align with the company's needs. If a company emphasizes teamwork, detail your experience in a successful group project.

Show them you're a fit, not a fill-in.

Don’t just state the word “teamwork” or “team player” on your resume. What’s more powerful is giving them examples of how you’ve demonstrated teamwork. 

5. Damage to Personal Branding

Generic resumes can harm your personal brand.

Your resume is a tool to showcase your professional identity and personal brand. A generic resume fails to communicate your unique skills, experiences, and values. For example, if you're known for your problem-solving skills, a generic resume might not highlight this key aspect of your brand.

Your brand is unique. Your resume should be too.

And, so should your LinkedIn profile. When you start engaging on LinkedIn, ensure your comments and posts are on brand. Talk about your own insights, opinions, and advice on industry-related topics, issues, or problems. This positions you a subject matter expert and builds your personal brand as a go-to expert on the topic. 

Remember, your resume is a key part of your job search. It's crucial to ensure it stands out, addresses specific job requirements, maximizes opportunities, showcases your value, and aligns with your personal brand. Your career journey is anything but generic—ensure your resume reflects that.

Grab a free executive resume template here to help you get started with writing or updating your resume.

If you found the tips and tricks in this article helpful, please comment below with helpful so that I know to keep sharing content like this with you.

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