A networking résumé should be attractive, attention-getting, and provide a clear message about you and your desired job target. Most importantly it is designed to be read by human eyes, not (necessarily) by electronic scanners. This should be the main résumé you use for your job search endeavors, and it should generate interest in you. Do you have a networking resume? Keep reading to learn what it is, why you need two versions, and how to make them.
What Does a Networking Résumé Look Like?
Your networking résumé should have a terrific looking layout and design suitable for the type of business you are targeting. Use more traditional colors and style for most businesses and a “slightly” more artistic or creative design for creative/artistic job targets.
It is a best practice to NOT use templates from MS Word, résumé writing software, or those available online because you want your résumé to stand out, not blend in with hundreds of people using templates. Incorporate the use of updated fonts, lines between sections, attention getting headings, bullet points, white space, no orphan text, minimal touches of color, margins set wider than ½ inch but less than one inch.
A second best practice is to keep your networking résumé in two slightly different versions…we’ll talk about why, shortly.
Why You Need Two Networking Resumes
Your job search should incorporate a variety of techniques; networking should be the main method used to search for a job. Networking involves personal contact with people you know or meet. People in your network could include friends and family, coworkers, former coworkers, clients, customers, your professional references, and the persons referred to you by these contacts. It will also include individuals that you contact (personally or electronically) so that you can give them a copy of your résumé whether you are doing so for networking, or job application purposes. To learn more about networking click this link.
What are the two versions of a networking résumé and how do they differ?
Both contain the same content throughout, but they differ in the contact information section at the top of the résumé. The Electronic Networking Résumé is used for electronic communications both networking and for the job application process. The Printed Networking Résumé is used when you are making application and networking in person.
To Learn More and Get Formatting Tips
To learn more about making and using networking résumés and how to easily format both with a click of the mouse, watch this video.
I hope this helps you to increase the effectiveness of your job search.
Do you have a networking resume? Is it generating interview opportunities? If not we can help, contact us to get started right now.
