It can be tempting to never show anyone your resume or cover letters (just as it’s tempting to not tell anyone about your job search). However, a second or third set of eyes can be a really great asset in making your job search as efficient as possible. Here are six people who should look at your resume:
Your grammar-nazi friend
For obvious reasons. This friend will pour over your resume with a fine-tooth comb, exorcising any grammar, punctuation, and style errors from your resume. This service is invaluable for your job search, and you should reward him/her with a cup of coffee and a crossword puzzle.
Your aunt who works in HR
Anyone with the inside track on hiring practices is going to be a wonderful resource for your job search. An HR professional can review your cover letters and/or resume and tell you whether or not it would grab his/her attention in a pile of dozens. Thank her with some monogrammed Post-It notes.
Your friend who likes art and/or graphic design
The visual appeal of a paper resume is very important. While your resume shouldn’t be too fancy or gimmicky, someone who is good with design concepts should take a look at it. A graphic artist could give advice on things as simple as text orientation and font style. Those simple changes could make your resume a lot more appealing. Take him/her out for an afternoon at the museum after the review: your treat.
Your cousin who is good with computers
This will be especially important for working video resumes as part of your job search. A computer-savvy pal can help stage your video, or help you edit it afterwards. Technology should also not be overlooked when it comes to paper resumes. Word processing programs take a little bit of know-how when it comes to complex documents like resumes. Have your cousin help you out, and reward him/her with some terribly stereotypical computer-lover gift.*
The career counselor at your alma mater
We talked about this way back when. Most colleges/universities have a career center that still serves alumni. For little or no charge, staff from the career center will look over your resume and cover letters, and offer you professional feedback that can help you in your job search. Thank them with…the thousands of tuition dollars you’ve already given them.
Your Mom
After all of these people have bashed your resume and cover letters, let your mom take a look at it. It will make you feel better (and she might have some good ideas, too). Thank her by giving her something she likes. You shouldn’t need my help for that!
What is your review process for your resume and cover letters? Leave a comment below, or send me a tweet: @ithinkther4iamb #resume
*Author cannot be held responsible for offense taken, or money wasted, on any of the above gifts. This is a job search blog, not a holiday gift guide!
IMAGE: Courtesy of Flickr by Matt Hampel
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