Look beyond Your Inner Circle

Most of us rely upon our friends for advice, which works well in many situations.  When it comes to subjects in which expertise and current knowledge are critical, it is best to seek a professional.  For example, your next-door neighbor who happens to be a genius aeronautical engineer may not be the person to whom you would turn for investment advice.  I would be more likely to trust my financial future with a professional…or I would seek established resources.

The same goes for your resume and job search. Just because someone is an MIT-educated Ph.D., who truly is a rocket scientist, that does not mean they know how to create a resume that will win interviews.  In fact, most people’s resume knowledge is only as current as the last time they worked with a professional writer (or read books by resume experts).

Ask Advice from Experts

I encourage you to seek guidance when launching your job search and writing a new resume. However, you should be careful where you seek your advice.  It is best to enlist the help of a professional resume writer or career coach with a track record of success.  If you are in a highly specialized field or a unique situation, ask an expert if they have helped candidates similar to you.

Avoid Never-ending Advice Shopping

Job searching can induce anxiety.   It can cause many people to question their abilities.  When we are feeling under-confident, there is a tendency to doubt the choices we make.  Some candidates will endlessly seek advice from countless friends, family, and colleagues.   There are two major problems with this.  First, the candidate is most likely getting advice from someone without expert knowledge regarding the current job market.  Second, this never-ending advice shopping delays action and can stall your job search.  It can also cause a lot of confusion and lead to changes that will hamper your documents and your overall search strategy.

Be Open to Good Advice

If you have sought the advice of a reputable career coach or resume writer, be open to that advice.  If you debate the expert, they will ultimately defer to your wishes, and that may not be in your best interest.  Pay attention to the advice.  Ask questions, so you understand the full process and strategy. Any experienced writer will have a strategy for presenting your information in a certain way.  Share your ideas and thoughts.  Most experienced coaches and writers prefer an interactive engagement; they want to hear your questions and ideas. However, be open to the advice that you receive.

Your friends have walked down paths, perhaps a few steps ahead, and can share their experience in many areas.  However, it is best to look beyond your inner circle for job search and resume advice. Consult with a seasoned career coach or resume writer with experience working with candidates like you. You will receive an objective and professional opinion that will serve you well as you execute on your job search goals.