| • Remember the resume is an extension of who
you are and what has been accomplished. Spelling, grammar and composition
all count towards an overall picture the employer makes from a cover
letter and the resume.
• If there is an objective statement on the resume, please
be prepared to explain what it means in an interview. If you cannot
give a concise explanation of your objective statement, rewrite
it or remove it from your resume.
• Please refrain from writing "free form" text
on a cover letter or E-mail. Maintain a business style letter with
short and concise bits of information regarding, an introduction,
current employment, skill updates, or pertinent personal information.
The cover letter is not the place to include such comments; how
much your band "rocks ass" or how you "get off on
the pressures of euipmnt failure" (yes, equipment was misspelled
this way on the cover letter). Please also refrain from utilizing
made up words such as, "deducing" and "self-positive
ness." There is also no need to list your favorite bands that
are "kickin."
• Contact Information: Use 12-14 or larger point size text
for your contact information (name, address, and telephone, email
address) at the very top of the resume. How can a HR manager or
recruiter contact you if the font is 9 point or smaller?
• Snail mail (U.S. Postal Service) is always the best method
for submitting a resume: E-mail, then finally fax. If the resume
is not sent back to the sender (RTS) then there is no need to telephone
the company asking, "…just wanted to see if you got my
resume." E-mail is a great way to send out a resume pending
the resume text is sent within the body of the E-mail. There are
too many E-mail applications and computer operating systems, which
do not always allow attachments to be opened by everyone in the
world. Sending your resume through the Internet as an HTML, formatted
E-mail will still maintain the look and feel or the original but
allow anyone to read about your skills. Faxing resumes is not suggested,
but could be a last choice if no other options are available. The
quality of one fax machine to another varies so much that it is
not worth the time.
• Utilize free Internet services out there that offer free
E-mail address – Yahoo, Hotmail, Macintosh (iTools), and many
others. Visit the public, local College or School library and sign
up. Check email once a week or more if you have sent out recent
resumes. If you change your contact information, send a letter or
E-mail to those recipients of your resume letting them know you
have moved or changed your contact information.
• Take notice to the name you choose for an E-mail address.
Use some common sense. Any E-mail address with references to alcohol;
drugs, partying, sniffing glue, sexual references, or other personal
preferences should not be used to contact potential employers. Real
Examples: sloshed25@hotmail.com, gluesniff1@yahoo.com, sexyhotchick1@msn.com
• Do not; under any circumstances send your resume to more
than one person working at the same company. This does nothing but
anger associates and brings poor light to the applicant. Ten copies
of the same resume E-mailed, mailed and faxed do not guarantee an
interview or employment any faster. It may do more damage than good.
• Spelling and grammar are of the utmost importance when
submitting resumes. Please have others read, check your work, and
make suggestions regarding your resume. Also, do not get offended
when it comes back with red marked errors over spelling and grammar
mistakes. Remember who asked them to proofread the resume initially.
• Many companies also do not like potential hires visiting
unannounced and in person. It not only puts the company in a difficult
position but could be a disappointing experience for someone "just
dropping off" their resume.
• Calling a potential employer is one option to check up
on your resume. There are two sides to this coin. Too many telephone
calls, leaving daily voice mail messages or calling others not associated
with the hiring practice can all become annoying to the employer.
Unless the employer has been attempting to contact (you) the applicant.
A Human Resources Associate can reply much quicker via E-mail rather
than returning calls to fifty possible applicants.
Most of this information is common sense. Use your best judgment
with the circumstance and job you are seeking. When the company
calls, make sure you show up on time for the interview, dress nice,
look organized, listen, ask questions, and stay relaxed.
Good luck!
Mark Farmer is a live sound engineer with Live Technologies Inc.
in Columbus, Ohio and a regular contributor to PAR. He can be reached
via the internet at: mixthat@earthlink.net
|
