Changing Times, Changing Resumes
Most experts agree that Leonardo da Vinci created the first resume in 1482. According to Kyle VanHemert of Gizmodo, da Vinci outlined his accomplishments and qualifications in warfare to the Duke of Milan, including “how, when a place is besieged, to take the water out of the trenches, and make endless variety of bridges, and covered ways and ladders, and other machines pertaining to such expeditions.” Granted, da Vinci was not seeking a career in marketing management, but he certainly knew how to persuade. Given the 500-year history of the resume, the document has changed, incorporating new elements and eliminating outmoded ones. Similarly, our modern, networked world has brought changes to the common resume.
Objective or Not?
Historically, job seekers have included an objective statement at the beginning of their resumes — a brief, one- or two-line “elevator pitch” outlining a candidate’s qualifications and objectives. Over time, these statements have grown to include additional clauses as candidates attempt to cram as much information as they can into the statement. Hiring managers are strapped for time, so the lengthy objective statement hinders more than it helps. In fact, Gerry Crispin and Mark Mehler, in the 2015 Mystery Job Seeker Survey, report that managers take an average of six seconds per resume. Many candidates searching for a career in marketing management have instead opted for a more specific professional profile that showcases “information that demonstrates your strong candidacy and directly relevant skills to those outlined in the job advertisement,” according to Joe Flanagan of Business2Community.
Your Online Presence
The increasing demands on HR’s time and the ubiquity of social media outlets have driven job seekers to sites like LinkedIn and Glassdoor. Anyone considering a career in marketing management must think beyond the resume these days — your online presence is easy for recruiters and hiring managers to find, and in some cases the data is permanent, so managing your online presence is crucial. Keeping your LinkedIn profile up-to-date is one approach, but you do not need an MBA in marketing to know that employers are often looking where candidates are not focusing.
Profiles on sites like Facebook — according to Lena Duque, social strategist and branding coach — should remain private. Even though you may have an unremarkable online presence, any slip-up can jeopardize your career in marketing management. Making your posts private allows only your friends to see what you post. Broadcasting all of your opinions to anyone who can search the web is rarely a good idea.
Pursue Formal Education
Most careers can benefit from additional education, such as a Master of Business Administration degree. Many MBA graduates go on to work as consultants in brand management, both corporate and personal. Revamping your online presence can help in your job search, but ultimately, employers want to see education and experience in a candidate. Without those qualifications, your resume is unlikely to interest the employers who are only giving you six seconds of their time. Advanced degrees demonstrate direction to an employer — even those still in process can “show that an additional degree or certification is on its way for the job seeker,” according to Amanda Clark of Business2Community. This target degree or certification can mean the difference between landing that important interview or being passed over for a more qualified candidate.
Learn about the UT Tyler online MBA with a concentration in Marketing program.
Sources:
Gizmodo.com: Leonardo da Vinci’s Resume Explains Why He’s The Renaissance Man For the Job
Business2Community.com: Why You Should Ditch The Career Objective on Your Resume
LinkedIn Pulse: 5 Easy Tips to Optimize Your Online Presence
Business2Community.com: The Importance of Including Education on a Resume
