It's Not About the Resume

If Not the Resume, Then What?

More of this Feature • Why the Emphasis on the Resume in Job Search? • If Not the Resume, Then What? • More Tips for a Successful Job Search

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By Cleve Rowley*

Well, if it is not about the resume, then what is it about? It’s about freeing yourself from the shackles of the resume and becoming aggressive in your search. Leave the security and comfort of working with the familiar resume that you can touch and feel and begin to expand your relationships. I prefer the word relationships to networking. Relationships are at the core of society. We all have experiences, some positive, some negative, but relationship building requires a genuine interest and commitment to another person.

Networking has the same two components. But, networking is usually initiated primarily because of your interest in the other person knowing you and making a commitment to be your advocate. Without a relationship of mutual interest and commitment, these relationships will fail and often result in bitter feelings. Without genuine interest, one party may feel used, and without commitment, the other party may feel a lack of effort from the other person.

Build Relationships

Relationship building, on the other hand, will not only enrich your pocketbook, but will also enrich your life. The only requirement for relationship building is having a genuine interest in getting to know another individual. If you have been unsuccessfully networking, try to meet some new friends. Since relationship building is a more natural means of knowing another person, don’t expect every relationship to provide the same level of intimacy or commitment. Let the relationship develop due to mutual interest and commitment. We all need relationships across the full spectrum and some will grow and some will diminish.

Be Creative About Personal Growth

Be creative! I am not talking about being creative specifically in your job search, but in your personal growth. Studies show that the older we get, the less creative we feel. We think, as we age, that the natural course of our lives is to become less spontaneous and more inflexible. We now know that, while this may be the norm, we are not genetically predisposed to be less creative, we just act that way. Stop acting that way and do something that you would really enjoy. Regardless of your talents or training just try it.

Most great talents are not born, but dig into their creative soul and become passionate and practice. While some even believe Leonardo Da Vinci had divine inspiration and creative talents, his life is a story of discovery and experience. He learned how to become a great artist and thinker and this opened up opportunities that were offshoots of his original creative efforts. He never took yes for an answer. A job search requires mental and emotional clarity and energy. Make time to do something creative. You don’t have to share it with anybody else, but do something creative for yourself. This will energize your job search.

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