Does The Internet Really Have To Be My Best Resource?
I have an extreme love-hate relationship with the Internet. I love using it to shop and chat, but I’m so sick of putting my resume on all of these job sites just to get a big fat NOTHING in return. I realize that patience is a virtue that I don’t have too much of, but seriously! What ever happened to the good ol’ days when you could hand your resume directly to the manager? Although it hasn’t even been a week since my resume has been on these websites, I am already insecure that my resume is not good enough. But I can’t expect to turn a rock into a diamond. The fact of the matter is that I do not have experience in my field of interest. I can try to sugar coat it on my resume and pretend that my collegiate endeavors were more than enough to get me a great job, but it’s just not true. Furthermore, simply thinking about my “not good enough” resume wears me out so much that I don’t even have the energy to try to change it. Maybe I could get a Headhunter to find a job for me. But using a Headhunter for an entry-level job is probably just a waste of money. So, with nowhere else to turn, back to the Internet I go!
First, headhunters do *NOT* charge the candidate a search fee. The fee is paid by the the headhunter's client, the employer. If you ever encounter a headhunter, executive search agent, search consultant, employment and staffing agent who wants to charge you a fee for their services, RUN as fast as you possibly can away from them.
So you have experience but not in the area where you want to go. I'm willing to bet you have lateral experience. Play up the lateral, that is, how certain skills in your previous career life apply to where you want to go. Also emphasize the positive personality and personal characteristics you have that distinguish you and make you a good candidate for this type of work (the reason you decided this type of work makes you excited and causes you to want to do it).
As to handing your resume to the manager, there's something else you can do -- network. Go to company blog and discussion boards and see who's there talking about what's going on. Strike up a conversation with them. Ask them questions. Learn about the culture. Find out who you should talk to if you wanted to learn more about a particular type of position. Maybe one of those contacts would be willing to pass your resume along once they've gotten to know you a bit.
Search company websites and learn names of people.