The standard route taken in such situations is to “doctor” a resume using various underhanded methods – such as getting a relative or friend to write of “work experience at our company”, or to provide letters of recommendation, even though they would not think of hiring the person themselves.

The problem with this method is that it is deceptive, easy to discover, and not the way you want to really present yourself to a new prospective employer. Do you really want to give him reason to question your integrity?

A better route I have found is to avoid the whole matter altogether, by not having a resume in the first place.

It seems that more and more smart companies are ditching the whole system of job applications via resume. A resume gives reason to reject people by saying, “Oh, you only went to this school and not that school.” Or, “Oh, you only have 2.5 years of experience and we need 3.1.”

A better way is to let yourself be your own resume. What have you accomplished in your life that can demonstrate your capabilities? Do you have any of the skills needed for this kind of job? Well, prove it. Who cares if you never went to the “right” college when you have already proven that you have what it takes to get the job done right.

True, many big corporations will only hire through their massive HR departments which require the typical resume. But those are jobs where people are processed through like units of production, not as individuals. Your chances of succeeding in such organizations are slim, so your lack of qualifications for those kinds of jobs are actually a blessing in disguise.

But smart businesses – typically small to mid sized companies, are open to creative alternatives to the resume method. Here is a great example:

Jason Zimdars is a great graphics designer living in Oklahama, who got a “dream job” working for 37 Signals in Chicago. Yes he works remotely, and yes he got the job the job without any resume. Read more about how he did it here and how 37Signals accepts job applications here.

Bottom line – smart yeshiva guys can come up with a “chap” how to get hired without a great resume. Just don’t do it the crooked way, do it in a creative way. That is the wave of the future, and works well for us without the standard qualifications.

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[Most of these tips regarding job hunting and resume preparation come from Dan Miller's great book, 48 Days To The Work You Love. Dan is a career coach who has successfully guided thousands of people along their career paths.]

The most common method of looking for a job is to scan the Help Wanted ads in the paper. However, according to published statistics, answering an ad in a local paper leads to 8 jobs out of 100. Also, the higher level job you seek, the less effective this method becomes. (If you don’t believe me, look at this week’s Hamodia Help Wanted section.) This is the lazy man’s way to look for a job. Don’t bother looking there, all you will accomplish is to get discouraged.

The hands down most productive method of finding a job is to apply directly for a job without it first being advertised. Sure, it puts you on the tough end of the bargaining table, but it beats everyone else to the chase. First you research the companies that will need your skills the most, and should be a good fit for you to work there.

Second, you need to apply for the job that you feel you can be a great fit for. That means either finding someone who knows someone, or a person of influence to speak on your behalf, or getting yourself in the door for an interview. Using methods like this lead to over half of all jobs, and it ensures that both you and your employer get the best person for the best job.

It takes research, fine tuning, and a dose of chutzpa, but finding your own job is within your reach. Even if you’re just coming out of kollel.

P.S. More tips on creating a resume and finding a job to follow.

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How is a young man of 30 to leave kollel when all he can do is work in a very menial job, when he has little English skills, a bit of arithmetic, and no experience in dealing with anyone but the frum velt? He is terribly unprepared. Is there a place where men can get job training in Lakewood? And remedial English? And advice on how to write a resume? And encouragement from professionals who have gone the same route? Not everyone has your English background. My nephews went to a chassidishe cheder. What are they prepared for?

Sounds discouraging, no? Really, what should he do?

If there was an easy answer to this problem, I’m sure you would know it already. Of course it isn’t easy, but it is doable. The truth is, there is help and options available even to a young man like this.

Our grandfathers came from Europe to America 70 or more years ago, with just the clothes on their backs and a limited knowledge of english. Many of them struggled to provide a livelihood for their families, and took on menial, backbreaking jobs just so they could have a roof over their heads and some food for their families. Over time, these menial laborers, who did janitorial work for nursing homes, became the owners of nursing homes. Some of the apartment building supers became the owners of those apartment buildings.

There is no exact directions on how to succeed in business. If there were, everyone would be rich. But someone who devotes himself to learning most likely has an above average intelligence, a savvy way of thinking, and is full of great ideas. This intelligence & creativity, coupled with a strong drive, are the qualities that made our grandfathers rich back then. They can be put to work again, with the same results – over time.

P.S. Stay tuned for the practical advice on how to write a resume – even a bare bones resume that most kollel yungerleit have to deal with.

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