| Getting Calls, Part 5 |
 |
 |
|
Submit Your Application on Quality Paper, in a Larger Envelope If you choose to submit a hardcopy version of your application (and I strongly recommend that you do), print your materials on resume-quality paper. White or cream-colored is best, and be sure to sign your cover letters! (On average, 25 percent of job searchers forget this important step.) When your resume and cover letters are ready, mail them in a 9 x 12 manila envelope. This will allow your materials to arrive flat, making them easier for the hiring coordinator to handle and photocopy. A larger envelope is also more noticeable within a large stack of envelopes. But don't bother sending materials in overnight packaging (unless you must to meet a submission deadline). Doing so can make you appear wasteful, as well as draw attention to what could be perceived as poor time management on your part. Send Applications to Both the Hiring Manager and the HR Rep This is an easy-to-execute activity that generates great results. As you prepare an application in response to a job opening, plan to submit materials to both the hiring manager (the person you would end up reporting to) as well as to the human resources representative. Most job hunters send their materials only to human resources. Yet keep in mind the HR reps are not the ultimate decision makers that power lies with your future boss! So send her a package, too. Keep Records of What You've Submitted Down the line, when the hiring company calls to schedule an interview, you might need to refer to the materials you submitted. For this reason, it's a good idea to print and file a copy of each of your applications, cover letters, and resumes. The vast majority of job searchers put very little time into customizing their resumes and cover letters. By putting in just a little extra effort on each application researching appropriate contact names, finding out and including a sentence or two about the company, sending a set of materials to both the HR rep and the hiring manager you can quickly and easily rise above the crowd of other applicants, and greatly increase your chances of being called in for an interview. A few extra minutes invested when you prepare your applications can shorten your job search and open doors to many more attractive job opportunities! When it comes to preparing job applications, the easiest route is to slap a "Dear Sir or Madam" on your cover letter and submit it along with your standard resume. For Job seekers, this can seem "safe" as 'well as easy. Yet this approach doesn't usually generate very good results. By investing a little more effort and taking steps that might make your heart pound, such as calling the potential employer to obtain the hiring manager's name you can quickly set yourself apart from the competition and greatly improve your job search results. Will it make you squirm a little? Probably. But this is an ideal time to build your courage muscles. |
Discuss this item on the forums. (0 posts)