Consider This: You May Not Need the Perfect Resume to Land the Perfect Job.

by Kathy Seaton

Looking for a new job can be an arduous task. Resume building may be the most difficult part of it. And writing a concise cover letter can be even more daunting.

In your mind, you might be competing with a candidate with a flawless resume including an Ivy League degree with a 4.0 GPA. While you may have graduated from a state school, with seemingly unattractive previous jobs—not to worry! The tide is changing. And in fact, HR Managers are turning their focus to the so-called “underdog” and promoting these candidates to their hiring managers.

Studies are now finding that candidates with perfect resumes may not exactly be the best fit for the job. And HR Managers are starting to look for different, more diverse types of people.

Consider Steve Jobs for a minute. He didn’t graduate college and he suffered from severe dyslexia. Because of the challenges with dyslexia he became a better listener. And look what happened—he’s considered one of the most successful, inspirational entrepreneurs of his time. His story of struggle and his experience handling diversity is what potentially led to his greatness.

Some of us deal with tremendous obstacles growing up. Learning disabilities, living in poverty, the loss of a family member. But these struggles are what build our life story and make us who we are today. And in many ways, although we might feel destined for failure, the drive to overcome that leads to greatness.

The underdog, or the scrapper, doesn’t give up. They “keep on keeping on” to make a difference in their lives. They are just as qualified for a job as a candidate that appears superior on paper.

Underdogs have experienced dysfunction that actually results in growth and personal transformation. Not to say that the a person with the impeccable resume doesn’t have the same qualities, but what I am saying is that the underdog deserves a chance.

Underdogs have learned to rely on themselves and they realize that they only have control over themselves. This willingness to take control provides a sense of purpose and in no case will failure be accepted.

Companies that hire the underdog are more willing to believe in inclusivity. And that type of environment is a perfect setting for the underdog.

Here are a few tips when considering writing your resume for your next job opportunity.

1. Tell Your Story. Your plight is compelling and don’t for a minute believe that its not. Even if there are gaps in your education or previous jobs, you can build a story around what you have accomplished. I didn’t have the perfect resume, and when I came to a research-one university like UC Irvine I wasn’t the best candidate on paper. I graduated from a state school and although I have an MBA, I knew that I barely got by. But what was compelling was the diversity of brands that I had worked on: from Toyota to Round Table Pizza and BMW to GT Bicycles. Because I had worked on many different types of brands, I was able to tell stories that relayed my deep experience in advertising, marketing, and PR that many other candidates couldn’t tell. I used my story to my advantage.
2. Make your Relationships a Big Part of Your Tool Box. We all have someone in our lives that is our biggest supporter. They are vested in our success. These people build our confidence and in many cases help us meet contacts and colleagues that can lead to our next big gig. And they make for great references that build out our resumes in significant ways. My story, combined with my references, is ultimately what helped me land the job at UC Irvine.
3. Take the Leap. There are many jobs that you’re qualified for. And there are several instances in your personal life when you favored the underdog. You can take those instances and empower yourself to reach for that perfect job, even if you feel unqualified for the position. We inherently know that the underdog fights to the end. You’re the type of person that can drive winning teams of people and fantastic projects.

So I ask you, who are you going to bet on? The Ivy League candidate or the underdog. I think that you know where I place my bet.