Why the hiring process is broken.

Here's something I was going to post on my Twitter feed, but I couldn't squeeze it into 140 characters.

CAREER ADVICE: I reviewed 106 resumes today.  It's impossible to know what kind of potential a candidate has beyond that document, and I can't talk to everyone.  There's simply not enough time.  That's one of the reasons why the hiring process is so broken -- and why it's unlikely to change.  Time is the major constraint.

Moral of the story: Candidates, you must map your resume to the job posting for which you are applying.  Until I speak with you personally, it's simple math:  If your resume contains 8 targeted keywords and your companies and tenure are average, while another candidate's resume contains 12 keywords with similar companies and tenure -- I'm calling the other candidate first.  Nothing personal.

If you think this is B.S., ask yourself:  If you were going to sell your house, would you do everything you could to improve your house's curb appeal?  Of course you would!

And that's what you must do with a resume.  Otherwise, I might drive right by it.

Before you submit your resume, make 100% sure that it contains the experience cited in the job posting.  If you don't do this, then you are counting on someone like me (or a friend or a referral) to tell your story to the HR- and hiring managers -- and that's a terrible chance to take with your candidacy.  After all, we might get it wrong.
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