If you want me to help you find a job, send something specific.

Ryon Harms at The Social Executive has declared the resume dead. If only it were true. But, just because HR people want resumes doesn’t mean you need to inflict them on your network.

I hope I made the point loud and clear in my presentation If You Want the Interview, You Need a Champion. Don’t send me a resume and ask me to tell you "if I hear anything." I’m not going to read your resume. I don’t even like to read my own resume. Why would I read yours?

Instead, ask me for permission to receive an occasional email from you. Then send me a company or position you’re interested in.

Of course, it’s good practice to includes something I might find valuable. You can send the link to a free copy of my book. Otherwise, you could send a link to someone else’s blog. But, why not your own? A blog instantly establishes you as an expert in your field, even if no one else is reading it.

I know I’d rather get a link to a blog post than your resume.

http://thesocialexec.com/your-resume-is-dead-long-live-your-blog/

Photo courtesy http://www.sxc.hu/profile/sibaudio