"I send out lots of résumés but don’t ever get any interviews — what’s wrong?"

There are multiple reasons why you may not receive any “hits” on your résumé submissions. Most of them can be corrected by adjusting your understanding of the purpose of the résumé and who reads it. Here are three things that you need to remember about the resume process.

1. Are you sending out a quality résumé?

One of the most fundamental problems in job-hunting is having a poor-quality resume—one that lacks focus and perspective. Remember: The résumé reader needs to get a sense of who you are and what your professional goals are. A list of undefined skills listed, such as “multi-tasker,” “good communicator,” or “channel marketing” are just words on a page out of context that requires the reader to extrapolate a sense of you are and why you are applying for the position.

Word of advice: Don’t force the reader to try to make sense of you. A jobseeker’s résumé is a critical marketing tool whose main purpose is to get you an interview. So, if you’re not getting interviews, your first step must be to evaluate your résumé. It must be a sharply honed document that is “targeted” for the job. A “one-size-fits-all” résumé seldom does the trick. Rather, a well-designed, effective résumé clearly identifies your strengths, accomplishments, and career focus in relation to the job you are targeting. It should not be a life history or a diary of your daily work tasks. And it doesn't need to contain every job you have ever had.

At the same time, a well-constructed résumé is a statement of the facts. Do not lie about degrees, employers, or length of employment; such information is usually easy to verify. Your résumé should also be attractively designed with solid margins and crisp fonts (never more than two or the look is chaotic) and free from too much industry jargon.

Also, it is essential to include a dynamic cover letter that is also targeted to the position.

Most HR professionals believe that a résumé should NEVER be more than two pages and most recommend only going back 15 years. And obviously, all résumés should be free of errors, typos, and misspelled words.

Remember: a résumé is a self-promotional document that presents you in the best possible light for the purpose of getting invited to a job interview. It's not an official personnel document. It's not a job application. It's not just about previous jobs. It's not a confessional And it's not a “career obituary" It's about YOU, and how you performed and what you accomplished in those job. It's important to emphasize those accomplishments that are most relevant to the work you want to do next. A good résumé indicates how you might perform in that desired future job.

2. Are you using the correct format?

Microsoft Word is standard word-processing software these days. Many offices have converted from WordPerfect and it is important to determine the employer’s preference. Most online instructions provide specific details about how to submit a résumé. Do not ignore these guidelines.

Also, it is always a good idea after submitting your résumé to contact a potential employer to make sure the document has been received. Some job seekers seem reluctant to call fearing they will annoy or bother the employer. Well, t'ain't necessarily so. Look at it this way: You will probably appear to be a strong, concerned candidate by making sure a potential employer is aware of your qualifications.

Remember, your work is NOT done once you have submitted your résumé. Following up with the employer is critical, but it should be done in a friendly, yet straightforward manner.

3. Are you sending your résumé to the right places?

Think “target.” A shotgun approach to job-hunting is seldom effective. Simply sending off a résumé to various HR offices may not be the answer. Rather, work on implementing a strategic approach. Try to do some sleuthing as to who will actually hire the candidate. For example, HR normally screens each résumé and then passes them to the department or manager who will be working with that individual. These department heads fully understand the complexities of the job and generally make the decision as to who will be interviewed and hired. So, that’s where you want your résumé to land-—in the lap of the decision maker. On the other hand, it isn’t smart to bypass HR, but it is a good strategy to enhance your opportunities by also sending your résumé to the targeted department.

Friends, neighbors, and colleagues can also be of help to you. Perhaps an acquaintance or family member knows someone who works in the industry or organization you are targeting and would be willing to put in a good word for you. I have been amazed with the ingenuity and stratagems utilized by some of the individuals I have counseled. In looking for jobs you should employ as many job-hunting techniques and tools as possible, including tapping into professional networking, company career centers, career fairs, and job boards, particularly those that are industry specific.

Are you suffering from the job search blues? Alumni Career Services at the University of Utah receives dozens of strong job leads each week and some might be right for you. Does your résumé lack focus? We at Alumni Career Services are résumé wizards, so give me a call: Julie Swaner, Alumni Career Services Program Manager, at (801) 585-5036.