Do you really need multiple versions of your resume or is that a myth? Having just seen a recent article in The Ladders newsletter entitled "The Resume Version Myth", I was moved to pick up pen (or keyboard I should say) and respond to some of the points in this very interesting article.  (Full article can be found here: http://www.getinterviews.com/The_Resume_Version_Myth.htm).  I've not yet met the author, however she seems to be a highly credentialed and accomplished resume writer and my points that follow are mearly an attempt to represent an alternative point of view…

Full Disclosure: similar to the way many resume writers promote the value of a single resume (perhaps because it would be cost-prohibitive to create / maintain multiples), we are biased toward using multiple-resumes and our product is based on that philosophy. 

We All Have Just One Past This is certainly true.  However, as we mature in our careers, we are all exposed to many, many different types of experiences and responsibilities.  We also have many different interests.  So if one were to provide a 10-page resume, we might be able to encompass all of those experiences and the value we bring to the next position into one resume.  But obviously that's not realistic and in fact a big part of our task in writing a resume, is to actually help the reader by zeroing in on (only) those areas that they are interested in.  It is our job to provide that focus, not their's to "weed it out".  Defining Your Future Quoting from the article:

"If you think you need more than one version of your resume, it most likely means you're not fully committed to your next career step. Many people say they are "open to several directions" but, when questioned, they're really uncertain which direction they want to take. While they think they're open to everything, their mindset is closer to "I'll take anything" — not a smart way to manage your career, especially at the executive level."

Hmmm…  In today's job market, more than ever, successful candidates need to be flexible.  But we would agree that if you write your resume to "I'll take anything", you'll probably get nothing.  A resume is a marketing document.  Successful marketing documents are targeted at the prospective buyer's "points of pain" and need.  And all jobs and hiring managers have different needs.  To be successful, your resume must speak directly to those needs. Using Cover Letters to Target Applications There are a couple of schools of thought here as well.  Yes it is possible to do some amount of focusing through your cover letter.  However, I can't tell you how many cover letters I've read that read something like "I feel my background is a great fit for your job of blah blah blah" where they are marginally targeted and include no substantiation.  Even when done properly, a single sentence or two will hardly speak to your "buyer" with enough focused content to get their attention. And lastly, what happens when the cover letter gets disconnected from your resume (and they do)?  How Do You Keep Track of This Stuff?

"..using the cover letter to personalize your application, you won't drive yourself crazy trying to keep track of all the variations of your resume and/or trying to remember which version you sent to which potential employer. "

So is it any easier keeping track of which cover letter you sent to which potential employer?  The bottom line is that you indeed have to stay organized, the second principle of a successful job search.  Look into something like JibberJobber.com (a new job search and career management tool) or Outlook to keep track of who you've sent what to (btw, you're going to be keeping track of much more than that ;-)). 

Posted by: Brian Briggs

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