Q: After four years of level one tech support (I am currently a Lead), it is time for me to find a new challenge, but the next level doesn’t meet my needs. How can I find openings that build on my skills, yet differ in scope and advancement opportunities? How can I update my resume to show leadership skills?

A: It’s important to know that resumes are not chronologies or a list of your skills. They are marketing documents that should say, “I’m the perfect person for the role that you’re hiring for!” So if you aren’t clear about what you want (and no, “not tech support” is not clear!), then the hiring managers are simply going to look at your resume and your current job… and offer you something similar. You need to make a case for yourself, and you need to branch out beyond updating your resume and applying for any job that strikes your fancy.Here are my recommendations:

1. Identify the job you want (not the job you don’t want).
2. Read lots of job descriptions for that job. What are the keywords? Responsibilities? Duties? Desired skills?
3. Reframe your resume to highlight everything that they want and take out everything that they don’t.
4. Identify the companies that you want to work for and make connections at those companies. Network your way into a new job.

Resumes do not get you a job. People do! Get clear about what you want, tell people what you want, ask for advice, follow that advice, rinse, repeat, until you get it!

My Career Design Studio can help you with this process. Over 30 research-based activities guide you through identifying what you want to negotiating your salary once you get a job offer. Get the guidance you need to get the career you want!

First published on The Muse, January 26, 2018.