Career Corner: Breathe new life into your job search
Did you know that your resume has a life cycle equal to no other? It has the unique ability to regenerate interest throughout its life span or die a quick death. As a job seeker you are only hurting your chances of finding employment by thinking the search is over once the resume has been sent in. Following up on your resume is an extremely important stage in enhancing your job search.
Job seekers today cannot afford to send off numerous cover letters and resumes, and simply sit back to wait for that interview to land in their lap. Taking charge will inevitably accelerate your job search and add some life back into your resume. Unless an employer has declared telephone contact off limits, a simple, polite follow-up call to check your status is a crucial part of the process. It's not worth sending out resumes unless you're prepared to follow-up.
The following is a step-by-step guide:
Make sure that you always personally address your covering letter to the hiring manager or to a person you know within the organization. This makes the task of tracking your resume through the organization a lot easier. If you don't personally address your covering letter, it will be virtually impossible to trace the path your resume will take through any company.
Give the employer a call approximately 4 to 6 working days after you have sent your resume. A call is usually better than paying a visit to the employer, especially for management-level positions; the latter may be more of an imposition. Prepare exactly what you intend to say to the employer. Be polite and courteous. Get over the fear of being rejected…be positive. Don't let voice mail catch you off guard.
Identify yourself and ask the employer if they have a few minutes to talk with you. Don't simply ask if they've received your resume. Be more specific and to the point. Breathe some life back into your resume, by asking the employer if they've received your resume and had some time to review it. This will provide an opportunity to begin discussion with the employer.
Be patient. It sometimes takes longer than you think for a company to sift through applications; be sensitive to the fact that the employer's timetable may be different than your own. If indeed the employer has not had an opportunity to review your resume, suggest you will return the call in a few days, and thank them for their time.
Use your call as an opportunity to make an impression. Ask the employer if they anticipate any openings. If so, when? Will they consider you for a future opening or do you need to reapply? Does your resume stay on file, and if so, for how long?
Politely ask the employer if they have any questions for you — and be prepared to provide answers. Don't be fooled by thinking this is not a preliminary interview.
Your ultimate goal at this point is to impress upon the employer your wealth of knowledge, vast skills and readiness for work. At the same time you are creating the opportunity for a future interview. Hopefully, the answers to your questions will be favourable, and provide some helpful information.
Graciously accept whatever response you receive. In the event that no positions are currently available, ask the employer if you can contact them again in the next month or so to see if any new positions have developed.
Close by thanking the employer for their time and by asking for some advice. Ask if they could recommend anyone who might be looking for a person with your skills. Advice is often given quite freely and may result in a new networking opportunity.
Remember to keep a record log of who you sent resumes to, when you spoke with them and any other pertinent follow-up information for the future.
By following up on the progress your resume is making through a company, you have provided it with another dimension, as well as showing added initiative. Knowing the outcome of your application will allow you to concentrate your efforts on other companies or aspects of your job search.
Need assistance in your Job Search? Why not drop by the Career Services office located in Room F2010 for a copy of our job search booklet “Getting Started” which contains helpful hints on creating your resume and conducting a positive job search. The Career Services staff are available to assist you on an individual basis. Visit the office to arrange an appointment with the consultant responsible for your program or call 452-4294.
Job seekers today cannot afford to send off numerous cover letters and resumes, and simply sit back to wait for that interview to land in their lap. Taking charge will inevitably accelerate your job search and add some life back into your resume. Unless an employer has declared telephone contact off limits, a simple, polite follow-up call to check your status is a crucial part of the process. It's not worth sending out resumes unless you're prepared to follow-up.
The following is a step-by-step guide:
Make sure that you always personally address your covering letter to the hiring manager or to a person you know within the organization. This makes the task of tracking your resume through the organization a lot easier. If you don't personally address your covering letter, it will be virtually impossible to trace the path your resume will take through any company.
Give the employer a call approximately 4 to 6 working days after you have sent your resume. A call is usually better than paying a visit to the employer, especially for management-level positions; the latter may be more of an imposition. Prepare exactly what you intend to say to the employer. Be polite and courteous. Get over the fear of being rejected…be positive. Don't let voice mail catch you off guard.
Identify yourself and ask the employer if they have a few minutes to talk with you. Don't simply ask if they've received your resume. Be more specific and to the point. Breathe some life back into your resume, by asking the employer if they've received your resume and had some time to review it. This will provide an opportunity to begin discussion with the employer.
Be patient. It sometimes takes longer than you think for a company to sift through applications; be sensitive to the fact that the employer's timetable may be different than your own. If indeed the employer has not had an opportunity to review your resume, suggest you will return the call in a few days, and thank them for their time.
Use your call as an opportunity to make an impression. Ask the employer if they anticipate any openings. If so, when? Will they consider you for a future opening or do you need to reapply? Does your resume stay on file, and if so, for how long?
Politely ask the employer if they have any questions for you — and be prepared to provide answers. Don't be fooled by thinking this is not a preliminary interview.
Your ultimate goal at this point is to impress upon the employer your wealth of knowledge, vast skills and readiness for work. At the same time you are creating the opportunity for a future interview. Hopefully, the answers to your questions will be favourable, and provide some helpful information.
Graciously accept whatever response you receive. In the event that no positions are currently available, ask the employer if you can contact them again in the next month or so to see if any new positions have developed.
Close by thanking the employer for their time and by asking for some advice. Ask if they could recommend anyone who might be looking for a person with your skills. Advice is often given quite freely and may result in a new networking opportunity.
Remember to keep a record log of who you sent resumes to, when you spoke with them and any other pertinent follow-up information for the future.
By following up on the progress your resume is making through a company, you have provided it with another dimension, as well as showing added initiative. Knowing the outcome of your application will allow you to concentrate your efforts on other companies or aspects of your job search.
Need assistance in your Job Search? Why not drop by the Career Services office located in Room F2010 for a copy of our job search booklet “Getting Started” which contains helpful hints on creating your resume and conducting a positive job search. The Career Services staff are available to assist you on an individual basis. Visit the office to arrange an appointment with the consultant responsible for your program or call 452-4294.
