Resume sending via Email online

[Jiggers]

Is sending your resume online to an employer a good thing or bad? Any tips into getting both your cover letter and/or resume immediately noticed and not tossed?

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[inactive]

A very prudent thing is to proof read it – Front to back and back to front. Zero errors.

That reminds me – I should start proofreading my WSB posts. I hardly ever do.

Good luck on the job search.

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[changingtimes]

Usually, from my experiance, its good to do this when you are applying to jobs in bulk, like off of the seattletimes website or craigslist, like you need a job real quick and doesnt matter if they are going to call back or not, I have gotten alot of job interviews by doing this, but if you are really wanting the specific job, its best to go in and hand deliver or by postage which shows that you made some effort. You know what i mean, this is what helped me awhile back :) good luck!

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[RS]

Wow, yeah. Times have changed. The last few jobs I’ve had only accepted resumes via email or their through their online application systems. Sending it by mail actually seems like a good way to get it tossed, but I guess it depends on the industry.

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[kathy]

The initial look-over your resume receives is a quick scan to look for key words, objectives, accomplishments that directly apply to the job description. Sometimes it’s electronically scanned for key words. There’s a science to it. Try reading “What Color is My Parachute” That’s the book that helped me find a job. If you can get someone who is known to the people hiring to email your resume for you, it’s probably more effective than just emailing it to the jobs email address. Networking is the most effective way to get a job.

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[Kayleigh]

I would advise:

**Send it from a real email account with a real name. (we have gotten resumes from email accounts that sound like they belong to porn stars, like “sweethothoneyspankiebaby@hotmail.com)

**Make sure we can open it, and open it easily. Do not zip it or send it as a weird file extension. PDFs are OK; Word is better

**Definitely proofread well.

**If you are applying for a job you aren’t clearly experienced in, tell them why you can do it. We get so many resumes for people with zero experience for the job. You have to make the case for us and connect the dots…we aren’t mind readers

**We do sometimes remember the people that dropped a hard copy by, but I don’t know that it has changed anybody’s hire decision. Email is fine with us.

**Be courteous to HR staff and don’t try and go around them. I let people know when someone has been annoying.

**Be courteous to reception, assistants, and everybody else you meet in the process. People talk.

**Unless they specify otherwise, an email follow-up is okay,and we don’t get mad when people call, though we prefer not.

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[kirida]

On proofreading: Read it out loud. It’s the best way to ensure your resume and coverletter is complete and you won’t kick yourself over a silly typo.

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[Jiggers]

I remember when I was attending college that when we had to look for a job, we had to pound the pavement. Pounding the pavement to me is still the best way to get a job instead of sitting in your own confinements at home hiding behind your computer. Technology has made everyone more lazy if you ask me. Sending a resume online only helps employers weed out undesirable applicants easier, so they don’t have to deal with them in person at Human Resources. Nowdays, employers won’t even accept an application in person unless you send it online first. Even if you have a resume, they still want you to fill out an application form. I actually think that if you send a resume thru Email first, you are more likely to be tossed into the garbage can no matter what qualifications you have. As someone mentioned here, networking is a helpful way to land a job, but that also has its limits. I’m personally looking for more work so I can stay and afford my own $900 a month place. But sometimes I’d rather be getting my teeth pulled because its so frustrating. You have to have a plan everyday before you go out and hit the pavement. Its like going to the store with your list instead of walking around aimlessly. Now, does anyone here have a job for me?…lol

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[Kayleigh]

Jiggers, maybe the problem is your attitude (speaking frankly and respectfully.)

I am less bothered by typos than I am by people who don’t want to follow our processes. Email resumes are just fine (I appreciated being able to email them as a candidate as well as an HR person.) Not sure why you would prefer a more labor-intensive and dated process.

This is 2008, not 1985. I think a lot of employers are looking for people who are comfortable with the current (or even emerging) technologies.

Just honest advice—which I’m not sure you are even seeking here. It sounds like you are venting.

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[Jiggers]

Don’t get me wrong, I love sitting behind my computer sending out my resume’s thru email in bulk form. Yes, how easy and convenient it is than to visit them in person.

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[JanS]

jiggers…you never know who might be lurking behind the scenes here…what type of work are you looking for? what are you experienced in?

My daughter has gotten a couple of jobs in the last 6-8 years or so by simply e-mailing her resume….some companies PREFER that. I’m not saying that your way is bad..but if the employer wants it another way, by all means give them what they want. Technology is not always a bad thing…and these companies don’t wnat to have to deal with double the paperwork…or the paperwork piling up…

besides…what’s wrong with doing it the easy way? :)

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[Kayleigh]

Jiggers, here is a true story.

Someone called to ask me how to apply for a job. I told them. They ignored me and sent the resume to our president, who forwarded it to me.

Now what do you think I did with that resume from a person who 1. Can’t follow directions 2. Thinks the rules don’t apply to her 3. Doesn’t respect me enough to actually listen and 4. Doesn’t respect our president’s time 5. Doesn’t understand that presidents generally don’t do initial screenings?

People form huge judgements (fairly or unfairly) based on how you apply for the job, present yourself, etc. And you, as a candidate, should be judging the employer as well, based on how they treat you, their flexibility, their courtesy and promptness, etc.

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[RS]

I agree- things have changed, at least for office jobs. Pounding the pavement is now pounding the keyboard. So to speak. :)

My small office had a job posted online with a clear and easy-to-use online application system. We had someone call, I explained that our HR people were in a different office and handled the entire process online. The person still showed up at our office unannounced to present their materials in person! Honestly, rather than being impressed, we were a little bit creeped out!

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[Sue]

And when you do get that interview and come into the office, keep in mind that *everyone* is watching you. I’m a legal secretary, and I am often asked my impression on the person while they were sitting in the waiting room for their interview. I’ve seen everything from nose picking to rearranging underwear to inappropriate cellphone calls, or people treating me like a slave or as if I’m stupid because I’m “just the secretary.” My impression on these people is often requested and taken into consideration, and has cost people jobs. And I’ve seen many attorney reviews typed up where they took a candidate out to lunch and watched them spend their entire lunch chewing on straws and other things like that, not realizing that they’re still being judged.

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[Jiggers]

Hey Sue.. so your telling me not to pick my nose while waiting for my interview…hehehehehe!!

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[charlabob]

First, do whatever the job posting or the ad or the person who referred you says. If they want the resume faxed, fax it. If they want it in word or pdf or whatever — do it.

Don’t forget the cover letter — among other things, it gets someone to read your resume. :-)

If you go through an agency, make sure the agency gives you a copy of what they’re sending out. They frequently transfer information into their own format and sometimes things get lost (or enhanced) in translation. One agency so exaggerated my qualifications that I didn’t recognize me. And (believe it or not) I’m not falsely humble — I’m just not a VP of engineering type. :-)

Have someone else read your resume too — no amount of proofreading is better than alternative viewpoints.

Don’t look down on anyone. Really — I don’t mean, don’t ACT superior — don’t FEEL superior. The receptionist and the person passing through the waiting area has friends and colleagues and will be asked (if the hiring folks are smart.)

Some things vary with the industry — sending physical “thank you” letters still works in accounting, banking, etc. Some oh-so-superior tech companies will just laugh at you, and prefer email. Know the conventions for your business.

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[Jeannie]

Kayleigh and others, your advice is excellent (plus the porn star names cracked me up!). I agree that emailing resumes is the way to go, and it’s better still if you have an inside contact who can endorse you.

Also, be sure to include relevant experience, even if you’re relatively new to the job market. If you are applying for a professional job, don’t list your experience babysitting and changing diapers or walking a neighbor’s dog. Yes, I actually saw this on a resume recently. If you don’t have a ton of experience, you should still include a brief Summary of Qualifications at the top of your resume. It can include your abilities, interests, etc., etc. And definitely use keywords!

I agree about admins (secretaries) and receptionists – they merit our respect. They’re smart people, and their jobs are not as easy as some might think. (Yes, I’ve been there!)

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[aa]

I agree with charlabob, follow the instructions given for the specific job listed. Most of the time you will be emailing. I don’t think anyone will be more impressed with a mailed letter and you’re setting yourself up to look dated. If you are over 50 avoid those old school behaviors as much as possible. I also think ‘pounding the pavement ‘ is out dated. My experience at work and while job hunting is people are busy and they want to talk to you at their convenience not when you decide to walk through the door. As far as getting noticed, keep your cover letter clear and concise, the font on the resume and cover letter should be easy to read. I like to have the same font for both documents but I don’t know it it matters. There is a lot of helpful information online about building a resume, how to submit it, etc. Final thought, avoid using a hotmail email address, a clear indication that you are middle aged and not interested in technology.

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