There are two types of resumes out there: Traditional and Social. According to Forbes magazine, "we're moving from a 'knowledge economy' to a 'social economy'"(January 1, 2013, Forbes). This change reflects a shift in power as jobs and industries once requiring the knowledge of experts are being transformed by the rise of technology. To some, this is an apocalyptic sign of the end, but to others, an opportunity to adapt and take advantage of these advances. Power is now leaning more and more on the social networks we build, and the larger the network one has, the better the odds of connecting with those who can help you realize your dreams. For roughly the past hundred years, our generations were born into an industrial age of mechanization, where workers were designed to be replaceable within the machine of the industry. Employers wanted to know that one machine operator with experience could easily replace another, and the resumes that represented their knowledge-based skills reflected that in their logical, fact-driven design.
“ I work with clients to design a unique personal brand, website, and social media strategy whose voice fits in-line with the values that they and their brand represent. ”
Social Resumes, on the other hand, are just emerging from the bloom of a society on the dawn of a global era, connected by the internet, and the power inherited by this new environment can be expected to change the way we see and define ourselves. We have long felt the effects of being seen as just a cog in the wheel, and now we have the opportunity to be seen for who we really are, as human, not just a fact sheet, but someone with a unique voice. And as we define who we are, professionally, with this change in mind, we need to balance our logical skill sets with our human, emotional, and social value. The majority of companies today aren't asking for a formalized social resume, but already some early adopters are searching social media sites to get a sense of who the candidates are before their interview. According to a 2014 publication by CareerBuilder, alarmingly "...51 percent of employers who research job candidates on social media said they've found content that caused them not to hire the candidate." However, the survey also showed that, "...one third (33 percent) of employers who research candidates on social networking sites say they've found content that made them more likely to hire a candidate. What's more, nearly a quarter (23 percent) found content that directly led them to hiring the candidate, up from 19 percent last year."
To get ahead of the curve, I help early adopters who want to take control of their online presence. Utilizing my passion for literature to help read an individual's unique characteristics, I work with clients to design a unique personal brand, website, and social media strategy whose voice fits in-line with the values that they and their brand represent.
To begin to understand what a Social Resume looks like, please explore my social resume's as both a Coach and an Author. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me directly.