For many frustrated job seekers, getting a resume in front of decision-makers seems daunting as responses from potential employers become rare, and job offers rarer still.
Although you can blame the economy for why it's taking so long to bag a job, your resume could actually be a key stumbling block.
Avoid one-size-fits-all resume
Using the same resume for every job opening, regardless of the industry or job title, is a big mistake that job seekers make. Some recruiting experts say it's a strategy that will get you nowhere fast.
"Always submit a customized resume," says Tory Johnson, workplace contributor to ABC's "Good Morning America" and CEO of recruiting firm Women for Hire in New York.
Most organizations today use applicant tracking systems to sort through the large volumes of resumes they receive and identify potential candidates, says Johnson.
When you submit a resume, the tracking system mines data from your resume by searching for relevant keywords or phrases. If the system determines that your resume is a close match, it will save your information in a database for recruiters to review.
