Having a great resume is the
first critical step in a successful job search.
Unfortunately, most people don't know the best
ways to get that resume noticed. In today's job
market, where you are competing with hundreds of
other resumes, knowing the right way to
distribute your resume can make all the
difference.
First of all you need to get organized and stay
organized. When you get that call from the 200
resumes you sent out, you need to make sure you
are ready to show that you know all about the
company that's calling. So keep a log detailing
the name of the company, the position advertised
and the dates you contacted them along with any
notes. (Readers may request a free log by
e-mailing success@gotthejob.com.)
Next post your resume on the job boards. Note
that the job boards are not the most effective
way to get a job with most of them having an
effectiveness rate of less than 3%. Nonetheless,
they should be a part of your strategy. Put your
resume on the large job boards and be sure to
find the job boards that are specific to your
profession as many employers are skipping the
expensive giants and focusing their search.
To post your resume, you'll need an electronic
(or ASCII) version of your resume. You can do
this by opening your resume in MS Word, hitting
File-Save As and choosing Text Only. This will
create a .txt version of your resume. Close the
file, reopen it and edit out any stray
characters left over from your bullets and other
graphics characters. This file will now cut and
paste into web sites and e-mails and
automatically format itself. When you post to
the job boards, remember to set up search agents
that automatically tell you about a new job
posting. This will let you be one of the first
ones to apply.
Next find the advertised positions that meet
your criteria. You can do this by surfing the
job boards, checking the papers and looking at
company web sites. Don't forget to look at trade
publications as less people respond to those ads
meaning you're up against less competition. As
much as possible, try to find the name of the
hiring manager and address your correspondence
directly to them.
Now revise your cover letter to fit the ad.
Remember that an employer will look at your
cover letter for 3-7 seconds, so keep it brief
and easy to read using white space and bullets.
Do not try to repeat what is already in your
resume. Instead, tell them how you meet the
criteria they mentioned in their advertisement.
Then proofread the cover letter as any mistakes
will eliminate you.
Print your resume and cover letter on matching
stationery, either a white or buff colored 24
lb. paper. Stay away from the fancy colors. If
you have the extra money, a 100% cotton
watermarked paper is impressive, but not really
necessary. Look at the copies to make sure they
are neatly printed. Buy matching 9 x 12
envelopes as they will stand out more and your
good-looking resume won't have to be folded. If
you can print labels, buy the clear kind as they
look almost as if they were typed on the
envelope.
Next, we will make sure that you are noticed
because we will be e-mailing and sending your
resume and following up with a phone call. Yes,
this is aggressive and if you do it correctly,
you will definitely be noticed. Follow the
instructions in the ad first, so if they say
e-mail the resume then do that first. Otherwise
send the paper copies first and send the e-mail
2 days later, mentioning that the e-mail is a
follow-up to your mailed resume. Remember to
mark in your Job Search Log the date you
e-mailed/mailed them.
Finally, prepare to call the employer no later
than 3 days after your resume has arrived. This
is critical as most people don't do this. Most
importantly, develop a phone script to use. If
you just say, "I'm calling to see if you got my
resume", then you've blown it. Instead show that
you know something about the company and state
that you'd really like to know more about the
job. Then ask one or two great questions that
demonstrate your knowledge and insights. For
example, if you are going for a sales position,
ask, "I know your company is growing, is this
position for a new territory or an existing
one?" If they say it's a new territory, casually
mention how you opened a new territory before
and delivered 120% of sales targets. As much as
possible try to build a rapport with the person
you're speaking with, as employers hire people
they like. Key tip: watch your energy level and
intonation as they are the most important
factors that define how you will come across. Be
friendly, professional and conversational. End
by asking if you may call them again next week
to see how the selection process is progressing.
Remember that most people don't follow these
steps and if you do, your resume will rise to
the top of the stack!
Don Goodman is a
nationally known career expert and President of
About Jobs (www.gotthejob.com) a Resume Writing
and Job Search Assistance firm. Contact him at
800-909-0109 or by e-mail at success@gotthejob.com.
Editor's Note
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