Submitting Your Resume - Get that interview!

Submitting Your Resume - What is the BEST way?

Oh, there are sooooooooo many ways to submit a resume for any job posting, but what's the purpose if you can't get someone's attention? Let's talk about the several ways someone can go about submitting a resume for a job posting and then what can you do to get noticed...and more importantly...interviewed!

1.) On Line submission - A necessary evil that companies use to allow your resume to go to the big black hole! Really, how many times have you been contacted about a job when this was the only method you used to submit your interest in the position. My best guess is this is less than 10% successful.

Oh, and what is success when submitting your resume? Simple, success is when you are called in for an interview or you are called on the phone to possibly interview...those are the only two types of success. Remember, your resume only gets you in the door...it does NOT get you hired! (DUH!)

2.) Send through snail mail...well, at least the reader can see your creative side...if you have one. Your professionalism and creativity in your resume along with how you address the envelope, possibly include a cover letter, will show the Hiring Manager how you REALLY present yourself. A lot can be read into these things, and any little detail could knock you out of the possibility of an interview or get you in the door.

3.) Drop it off in person - Well, unless you plan to dress the part just to drop off a resume, don't bother. This would be an even bigger step than #2, and if done right, could be the clincher for a couple of reasons...first of all, if you dress the part, act professional and not too pushy, then give them something that is interesting to read (like your resume!) then you would be way ahead of the crowd, which leads to the second reason...nobody else is doing this...which immediately seperates you as an overachiever! (It's too much work for many)

4.) Phone Calls - Yikes!!! That seems so aggressive if you really don't know the hiring authority. Besides, chances are very high that there will be a gatekeeper that does their job very well, which is to ensure YOU don't get through to the Hiring Manager. Gatekeepers are a neccessary evil just as online submissions are, but if you are nice to them, treat them with respect, and call at the right times (I'll explain in a minute) then this could actually work to your advantage.

These are four of the best ways to submit yoru resume, and you never know which one will work best with whatever company, so my advice would be to try several methods - even with the same company. For example:

• If you see a job on line that you think is a VERY SOLID match with your skills and compensation, then submit yoru resume on line if that's what they request.
• The same day, send your resume hard copy with a cover letter that states this is simply a follow up to the resume submission and application on line as requested by the company
• 7 days later, if you have not heard anything, call (first thing in the morning - before all hell breaks loose!) and say you are simply following up with your resume submission. When you get the chance, you will want to be prepared to mention the one or two best things you can do to bring talent to their company.
• If you truly are a solid match, then after 7 MORE days, follow up in person...at this point, what do you have to lose?

An old professor of mine once said, "Employers will hire the most persistent people around because they know those people will get the job done!"

What better way to show your persistence than what is outlined above?

Having a hard time discovering who you should contact about a job? - I can help!!! Go check out my website about resume services and read more...www.pattersonplacemetns.com

Happy submissions! I'm here to help...allow me to help you get started on your next career move.

Attention Grabbing Resumes!

Resumes - What's yours look like? Are you confident it will grab someone's attention? In a positive way? The only "positive way" I speak of is simple...did you get a call to come interview for the position you applied for? It really is that simple...the single and only reason you write a resume is to get an interview...we'll discuss the rest of the hiring process in later posts, but for now, let's make sure your resume is getting the attention it deserves, and it is grabbing the attention of the HR department or the Hiring Manager...so with that in mind, let's get started...



Common Mistake #1 - People put only years and not months of employment on their resume...just exactly what are you trying to hide? Enough said!!!



Common Mistake #2 - People make a long list of their responsibilities and don't ever mention any significant accomplishments....HELLO!!!. Why would I interview you if you go from job to job and never accomplish anything?



Remember, from a hiring point of view, I will have plenty of qualified people to choose from, so I am going to interview the people who "gets things done."



Common Mistake #3 - I have no idea why this is, but misspelled words! Seriously, I see it all the time, even from high level executives...people who can't use spell check send a very clear message to the reader...that message is, "I don't pay attention to detail, so pease don't hire me!!!"



So, with that in mind, let's identify three things you need to make sure your resume has to get somebody's attention.



Rule #1 - (my personal pet peeve) Don't use "Times New Roman" as your font...it seems to be the default for every program in the world, and everybody uses it, so if you want to be different and stand out from the crowd, use some other font that you like.



Rule #2 - Every job should have a brief description of your duties and should be in the same format for every position, which could include how big the company is (sales, # of locations, # of employees...any of those), and how big your job is (same criteria as before). Do this in the same manner for every position you list on your resume.



Rule #3 - Every job listed should highlight a number of things you've accomplished that prove you go beyond the normal call of duty. This should take up the most room on the paper for each position listed...afterall, the message you really want to send to the reader is simple...I will overachieve regardless of the position I have.



That's it for now...for more information, log on to www.pattersonplacements.com

We help candidates succeed!



Paul

It seems everyone that has been laid off, terminated, fired, let go, or whatever is probably thinking there are very few opportunities out there for them...well, not so fast!
Certainly, the industry you are in makes a difference, but instead of focusing on the misery the media leads you to, try something else...Our EMPLOYMENT rate is around 90%, (give or take - depending on where you live) there are several sectors that need more employees, and most of the jobs out there will be filled by word of mouth and not necessarily on line.

Oh, so speaking of on line jobs currently posted...YIKES! On Monster alone, there are over 5000 NEW jobs posted each and every day...so don't go feeling sorry for yourself if you are in a position with no money coming in...Maybe what you (or someone you know) really needs is a method (or a kick in the butt) to sort out all of the minutia (BS) and help you with a plan to get back in the game.

Patterson Placements can help...offering candidate job search coaching, interview prep (company specific) and full resume services, we are positioned to provide support to individuals to work SMARTER so they can get back in the game sooner. www.pattersonplacements.com. We offer everything, including what's listed below...

Finding a job can be a full time job, but it can also be very demoralizing if you go it alone. People who spend 40 hours a week hitting the pavement and do it alone don't really know if they are doing everything they can to become employed again...Having a coach to help make a weekly plan...setting some goals...establishing some expectations...these are things that you do when you want to accomplish things, so why should it be any different when it comes to finding a job?
Are you working as smart as you possibly can? Have you contacted everyone you know that could possibly know anything about ANY job opening? Have you gone on PRACTICE interviews so that when it's really time to shine, you're already prepared? Have you followed up the right way on openings you are truly interested in? All of these things are important, and something different will work with any given company, so doing it all is necessary...because you never know which little "extra" will get the attention of the Hiring Manager...

Next week- Is your resume getting noticed?