How can you get feedback on your resume from your network?

1 Identify your goals and audience

Before you ask for feedback, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your resume and who you want to target. For example, are you looking for a career change, a promotion, or a specific role? What are the skills, qualifications, and keywords that your desired employers are looking for? How do you want to present yourself as a personal brand? Having these goals and audience in mind will help you craft a focused and relevant resume and also guide you on who to ask for feedback.

2 Choose the right people

Not everyone in your network can give you useful feedback on your resume. You want to select people who have relevant experience, knowledge, or connections in your field or industry. For example, you can ask someone who works in a similar role or company, someone who has hired or mentored people like you, or someone who has a strong personal brand and reputation. You can also ask people who have different perspectives, such as a recruiter, a friend, or a customer. The key is to choose people who can offer you specific, actionable, and honest feedback that will help you improve your resume.

3 Ask for feedback politely and professionally

Once you have identified the right people, you need to ask them for feedback in a polite and professional way. You can send them an email, a message, or a phone call, depending on your relationship and preference. You should explain why you are asking them for feedback, what your goals and audience are, and how much time you expect them to spend on reviewing your resume. You should also attach your resume as a PDF or a Word document, or share a link to your online resume if you have one. You should thank them for their time and willingness to help you and let them know when you need their feedback by.

4 Be open and receptive

When you receive feedback on your resume, you should be open and receptive to it. Don't take it personally or defensively, but rather as an opportunity to learn and improve. You should read and analyze the feedback carefully and try to understand the reasoning behind it. You should also ask questions if you need clarification or examples. You should acknowledge and appreciate the feedback and let the person know how you plan to use it. You should also follow up with them after you have updated your resume and show them how you have incorporated their suggestions.