I just received an e-mail from a reader about Razume, a new online community where users can anonymously post, rate and review resumes. The service provides a fast and easy way to collect valuable feedback from knowledgeable sources like recruiters, and it’s free for job seekers. It’s discreet too: users are encouraged to hide contact information on resumes so that the boss won’t know you’re looking.
While I’m not crazy about the name (I thought Razume meant that other people will make fun of your resume, a la the Razzie Awards, but it actually means “they understand” in Serbian), Razume is a great option for those who have created their resume in a vacuum and want to test it out in the real world. I would caution you, though, against taking feedback too literally or seriously. You don’t really know who’s on the other end of the feedback chain even if the person claims to be a recruiter or career coach. In the world of Web 2.0, everyone has an opinion and doesn’t hesitate to share it, but even well-meaning Razume chums might have little credibility or knowledge when it comes to critiquing a resume in your particular field.
I still think that the best person to look at your completed resume and instruct you on how to refine it is someone who is currently working in a similar job, either as a colleague or a hiring manager. If you can find that person on Razume or another social networking site, great. But other networking vehicles like third-party associations and informational interviews can work as well.
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Even if you hire a resume writer or other perons in career services, you have no idea what their real credentials are. Razume lets you test out those "expert reviewers" before buying add on services from them once you think they are good.
Thanks for the clarification, Brendan!
Thanks for the headsup on this Razume site, and I agree with you - the "reviewers" have no credibility. They are everyday individuals, like you and me, so what value is their opinion? Its like shouting out your experience on a street corner and expecting a salient reply. In New York or Chicago, the likely response would more likely be unprintable!
I also like your suggestion - test run your new resume on people in the industry. Using tools like LinkedIn, your alumni office, friends and family, there are innumerable ways to find knowledgeable individuals that can help with real-life relative experience.
Of course, the next step after that is to meet with a professional recruiter in your field. Again, they have significant experience not only reading and reviewing resumes, but how best to present what you have to those that may want those skills and experience.
I currently write a blog for CIO Magazine on job search tips and techniques for executives (http://advice.cio.com/blogs/cio_job_search_a_real_life_chronicle/), but which I purposely write so applicable for everyone. I welcome your readers to check these articles out - I hope they can help you too!
Mark Cummuta
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