What is a good resume "goal" when you are not actively looking for a new job?

Question

I have my resume posted online for potential recruiters to look at. I am not currently looking for or really all that interested in changing jobs but I am open to considering offers that come my way.

Suggestions on what would be a good line to put at the top of my resume as far as addressing the goal? I don't want to put people off by sounding disinterested, but I'm also really not looking for a new job either.

Answer 1

You could write a cover letter to address the fact that you are happy in your current role, but keeping your eyes open for new opportunities.... OR write at the top of your posted resume the types of jobs you will consider (ie:  only seeking jobs that require mgmt experience, OR please do not contact for administrative roles... etc...)

If you find you are (more often than not) - not interested, then pull your posting!  Why waste the recruiters time?  Keep a profile posted on some of the professional networking sites (ie: Linkedin.com)  OR do some research and only send your resume to firms with opportunities that you know you'll be excited about.  

Answer 2

Rather than stating a specific job target on your resume, pull back and be a bit more generic.  There are three things to consider in a target - job function, job level and industry.  Here's an example, although I don't know what field you're in: store operations (job function), Regional Manager (job level), retail (industry).  

Going forward, if you planned on still working in retail but don't necessarily have to be a Regional Manager, you could put:

RETAIL STORE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

If you still planned on working in retail, but didn't specifically need to be a Regional Manager or work in store operations, you could put:

RETAIL PROFESSIONAL

However, if you're completely open or unsure of even one of these three - function, level or industry - then it's best not to include an objective/target at all and simply provide a profile/summary.

Hope that helps!

Michael Howard

Author of "Alternative Resumes" and "Alternative Resumes for Teens"

www.alternativeresumes.com