Action Plan

Always remember that a resume is never finished, it is always a work in progress. You will find that you need to review it whenever you are applying for a new job. It is not unusual to have several drafts for several different employers.

The intended outcome of a resume is a communication strategy that markets you to a potential employer. The following additional work may need to happen to obtain the desired outcome.

Discuss your resume and career objective with one or more objective people, preferably with people working in the industry you wish to work.

Start by asking yourself:

• Is my career objective clear?
• Am I qualified for the kind of work my objective targets?
• Do my resume and letter support my career objective?
• Are my resume and letter appropriate to the organisations and industries I plan to target?
• Does my resume present my qualifications objectively, honestly and effectively?
• Does my resume effectively “sell” me?
• Does my resume fit me as an individual?

Now take the following actions:

• Discuss your career objective with one or more objective people, preferably those who work in the industry you want to work in, to gain information about what employers may be looking for in a candidate.
• Draft your resume and letter with the skills employers are looking for in mind.
• Get feedback from different sources on your resume and letter.
• Browse through the entire section of the employment classifieds and display ads in newspapers or electronically visit an on-line bulletin board with job listings.  See what might be appropriate for you.
• Pick an appropriate job ad and structure a response to it.  Send the response!
• Identify 5-10 organisations to send out ‘cold’ or unsolicited applications to and draft an appropriate letter for each. Send out your letter and resume to each organisation, making sure your resume and career objective are appropriate.
• Determine whether recruitment agencies are appropriate to you.  If they are, compile a list of 5-10 to contact, and contact them.
• Draft a standard letter for use with recruitment agencies.  Get objective feedback on your letter.
• Consider how you can be more productive, rather than simply using standard techniques (eg. building a network of contacts).
• Are there any areas in which you need additional help to assist you further with your job search?  If so, La Trobe Careers & Employment can provide further assistance.