Resume-writing colleague Arnie Bolt shared findings from a recent ExecuNet meeting he hosted, in which a panel of executive recruiters was asked how they work, how they evaluate candidates, and what they look for in resumes and other communications. Universally, the recruiters wanted to see an entire work history on the resume, even if it went back to the year “dot” and included irrelevant information.

My advice: Give them what they want - but not right away! Use your strategic, well written, concise, and on-target resume to spark that initial phone call. Then, if you are a strong candidate for one of their searches, go right ahead and give them chapter and verse on everything you’ve done. At that point, you’ve cleared the initial screening and won’t advance any farther unless you comply. But don’t shoot yourself in the foot by giving them what they think they want in your initial contact.

Let’s face it - you can’t possibly include everything you’ve done in your career on your resume. Go with the most high-impact, relevant, and meaningful information to incite interest. The resume is, after all, a marketing document. You can provide the entire prospectus once your audience is interested.

Interesting article in today’s Boston Globe about gaining relevant experience through volunteer work.

Key points:

• Don’t volunteer just anywhere doing anything; look for an opportunity to use existing skills or build new expertise.
• Invest time volunteering to determine if a new career path is right for you - you get to literally “try before you buy.”
• Take your commitment seriously - fulfill your obligation.

Good examples in the article included a woman doing volunteer records research for a nonprofit social agency and a former financial analyst who’s now assisting in a middle school math classroom. Both are seriously considering a permanent career switch that requires additional education - they’re very smart to get their feet wet and see if they really like the new field!

Yes, you can certainly put this experience on your resume. No, you don’t have to volunteer that you’re not getting paid for it. It might make up the very first “experience” segment on your resume or might appear towards the end, under “extras” such as professional affiliations. It depends how central it is to your current goals, perhaps how long you’ve been doing it, what your current employment status is, and other factors. Still, it can be relevant, solid, and meaningful experience that you can showcase as a prime qualification for your new career.

Meg Guiseppi over at the Executive Resume Branding Blog has a terrific post on this topic… with some expert opinions, thoughtful analysis, and great advice.

The bottom line: You need to be visible online. You need to have a compelling and up-to-date LinkedIn profile with some pertinent, stellar recommendations.  You should take the time to create a VisualCV to present a rich picture of yourself beyond your resume. All of this is vitally important both during a job search and for ongoing career management.

But…. you still need a resume. In fact, all of these pieces should go hand-in-hand to present a powerful, cohesive, on-brand message about you and your value.

More and more job seekers are turning to professional resume writers in hopes of getting a sharp edge in a competitive job market. As with any significant purchase, it’s wise to do your homework, investigate your options, be clear on what you’ll get, and carefully screen the businesses and individuals you are considering working with.

Joann Lublin said all that (and much more and much better!) in a recent article in the Wall Street Journal. She interviewed me extensively to obtain the quotes and information featured in the story. I was very pleased to give her some positive information to counteract the sad tale that leads her article.

I know literally hundreds of resume writers who are talented, ethical, and deeply devoted to the interests of their clients. In fact, I wrote a book (Directory of Professional Resume Writers) that lists many of these writers and provides comprehensive guidelines for how to choose the right pro and how to best work with him or her to achieve a positive outcome. Bottom line: Do your homework; be sure your expectations are clear; and participate fully in the process of developing your career marketing materials.

VisualCV.com gives you the chance to build a unique web portfolio - a richer, more compelling version of your traditional paper/Word resume. You can add graphics, documents, audio and video files and go from telling about what you’ve done to showing… and selling.

The site recently held a “best VisualCV contest,” and not only are the winning entries inspiring, they have also led to job offers!

Oh… and the best part? You can build and host your VisualCV for free. No fees, no ads, no sponsorships.

I have been affiliated with the company since the planning stages - I’m on the advisory board and I wrote an “Insider’s Guide” for creating a powerful VisualCV. (It’s a free download.) So yes, I guess I am biased! But I haven’t seen anything that comes close to the ease and value of this free portfolio service. Not to mention the other value-added benefits that include connecting with employers, recruiters, and others.

A reader sent me this query privately: “I was just laid off from an advertising agency when the agency lost our largest client (30% of billings) when the client merged with another company. My former client as well as employer have said they would serve as references for me. My question is – Should I mention this in my cover letter and if so, how?”

The question is two-fold: 1) Should I explain why I lost my job and 2) Should I mention the great references that I have.

It might be helpful to briefly explain the circumstances that downsized your company. However, don’t assume that people are going to read your cover letter (many never do), and be sure your resume is strong enough to stand on its own. In other words, focus on your value to the company while you were there and be ready to answer the “why did you leave” question during an interview.

With regard to your references, why not ask your former boss and client to write reference letters for you now, then excerpt a few of their fabulous quotes in your resume or cover letter? Third-party endorsements are very powerful! Saying “my former boss and client will give me great references” doesn’t have nearly as much meaning as a specific and glowing recommendation of your work.

Thanks to CJ Russell for asking such great questions! You can hear his interview with me here and check out his blog, “Secrets of the Job Hunt,” here.

Are you afraid to specialize? Afraid that by stating your specific interests and expertise you’ll limit your opportunities?

Interestingly, the opposite is true. By trying to appeal to all interests, you appeal strongly to none. After all, employers want to hire people who are experts! If you were hiring for a very specific need, which candidate would you choose?

• CFO for any size company, public or private
• CFO with experience in public-company M&A and a background in technology start-ups

• Sales & Marketing Executive - multiple marketing channels, diverse products and services
• Sales & Marketing Executive - expert in building brands and creating demand for luxury consumer goods

It’s true that by defining your niche you won’t appeal to everybody. But… do you really want to? Wouldn’t you rather do what you love and work where your expertise is valued?

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 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!