Actually, the full quote is, “I  never read resumes - just scan them.” And this recruiter, a participant on my industry E-list, goes on to say, “If I see what I want [very specific terms that match the job I’m sourcing today], I might read more.”

This sounds disheartening to job seekers and their resume writers! But in fact it simply underscores the need to write a concise, relevant resume that precisely positions you for the jobs you’re seeking.

How does your resume stack up?

Career coaches are always advising job seekers, “Do your homework. Find out about your target companies to be sure they’re really a good fit.”

But how do you look beyond the standard sources - news articles, annual reports, online articles, blog entries, etc.? Check out this excellent article on the “scuttlebutt” technique. Use it to find some truly revealing and meaningful information about companies you’re considering (especially privately held).

Career marketing is no different from product marketing! Just as Seth Godin says, “It might be easier to build a new sweet spot than it is to persuade an established middleman to change his rules for you.”

Too many job seekers persist in trying to convince recruiters that they are “perfect” for a job, when said recruiters clearly don’t agree. The rules are the rules… the job specs are the job specs. You have very little chance of being chosen for Oprah, the New York Times Book Review, the Harvard Business Review, Fast Company… or that particular opportunity… if you don’t fit the mold.

Why not, instead, determine your career “sweet spot” and go after it directly? Be prepared with persuasive evidence of how, specifically, you can help your target audience. How your experiences and expertise align with their goals. How you fit the culture, the challenge, and the opportunities on the horizon. Thrive in the mold that fits you!

No lie, this was the billboard I saw atop a cab that cruised by as I was standing outside the Salt Lake City airport on Tuesday night.

I must admit, I had never before put “cab driver” in the category of “dream job.” But who knows - for some people, it might be the ideal opportunity! Flexible hours, interaction with people, chance do to what you love (drive), ability to demonstrate competence, chance to earn a decent living with limited education, ability to earn significant bonus compensation by providing great service.

Hope you’re working in or working toward your dream job.

I’m back! A 10-day trip to Italy left me refreshed, renewed, and reinvigorated - exactly what vacations are supposed to do. A large part of that refreshment was due to the serenity of the small Tuscan hill towns where we biked, walked, and explored, and the other-worldliness of Venice, where you must take a boat to reach the city of no cars.

But just as importantly, I didn’t check email or voice mail once while I was gone - putting me in the 8% minority, according to a survey by ExecuNet! A complete break made the vacation experience deeper and more fulfilling - but it meant a huge pile of mail, email, and voice mail to deal with upon my return. Even with that, it’s worth it… totally.