Should You Flood Your Resume Though the Market?

No!

Oh how I would really like to just leave that answer, "No", and not write anything further. But of course, I will need to elaborate to explain why it makes no sense to rush and flood the market with your resume when seeking a new job.

For executive level job seekers, getting your resume in the hands of the best recruiter is paramount. That means getting the resume in the hands of a recruiter who really understands your industry and the market you seek. That means finding a recruiter or agency with the right experience and who have agreements in place with the right clients/companies. That means finding a recruiter or agency with a proven track record and real testimonials to prove it.

The last thing an executive recruiter wants to learn is that a great potential candidate has flooded their resume through the online galaxy. Why? Simply because an executive job recruiter has to work hard and diligently to prepare and promote a candidate. It takes a plethora of cumulative hours completing this laborious task. Just read through my posts to get a good idea of what is involved with real job preparation. When a recruiter completes this work and then later, after the fact, learns that the candidate has already gotten their resume to this client it equates to wasted time. Hence one of the first questions a good recruiter will ask - where have you sent your resume already?

The misconception that a recruiter wants this resume control so that they can control the hire and hence make the fee is downright stupidity for lack of a better way to phrase this notion. Understand that there are oceans of candidates seeking jobs. Good recruiters have access to quality candidates. Understand that good recruiters have strong relationships with their clients. Understand that a good recruiter is somewhat of an extension of a hiring company and therefore a solid bridge to employment within a company.

If your resume is good enough to properly promote yourself, and you are also fortunate enough to capture a hiring manager's attention without the help of a recruiter, then that is great. Nothing wrong with attempting to make a connection on your own. In fact, please do not misunderstand this post. I am by no means indicating that you as a job seeker should not try to promote yourself and attain an job on your own. I am more indicating that it is not a good idea to "flood" the market with your resume using the likes of Monster and CareerBuilder.

To me that would be like spending all your money and not leaving some for when you need it. Eh, perhaps not a good analogy I know. In other words if you are not fortunate enough to connect yourself to a job and then you revert to using a recruiter, you may not be on the top of a recruiter's list if he or she knows your resume is broadcast in every direction already.

One additional final comment. If you are still confused or not in full belief, then try the reversal. Try using a good recruiter. If you need help finding one - read this. If after a given period of time, let's say two weeks, you do not feel like progress is being made, then try to connect with companies - but one at a time. And please, do not post your resume on Monster or CareerBuilder arbitrarily.