résumé advice

There was a quick exchange on twitter earlier this week. It brought to my mind the changes that need to take place in the way we define professional, corporate, or even "appropriate". The next morning I had an email from a friend in Asheville. She asked if I had any advice for her son: a recent design school grad having trouble finding a job.

I absolutely hate the process. I refuse to self promote and am more willing to enter any job at the bottom of the food chain and fight my way up. I don't have a drawer full of resumes, nor a recyclable cover letter. I bring that same attitude to the table when I'm on the hiring side too. Of what worth is a well crafted resume and letter, if self-marketing was the long term focus of each? They tell nothing more than how well the applicant can create a resume and cover letter. If 300 people have already done the same thing, and read the same "10 Best things to include in a cover letter" article, what could you possibly do better?

Folks had better change their game plans. After a letter read, an interview, a resume check- do you ever relate to that new hire in that way, with that tone, again? If not, what have you achieved?

So I'm not a professional job seeker. I wouldn't look to hire one either. Is my advice worth while? Not sure- I don't define myself by how I earn a living. Can I still play?

As a near perfect coincidence, the next morning a past employer posted an image to facebook:

This is what I sent to the Victorian Manor when I applied for my job there. Times were different, of course. But I got a job.