More on following instructions in job postings
Well, I finally received one too many destructive criticisms for my previous post about following instructions for submitting your resume in response to a job posting so I thought I would point out to the naysayers what some other Web sites have to say on the topic:
http://resume.monster.com/articles/email/
Some employers provide instructions for emailing a resume -- follow these precisely.
http://resumedoctor.com/JobPostingSurvey.htm
Additional complaints included:
- Majority of resumes do not match the job description. [71%]
- Job seekers “blasting out” unsolicited resumes. [63%]
- Job seekers fail to follow specific resume submission instructions found in job post. [34%]
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobapplications/a/jobapplication.htm
The most important rule to remember when applying for jobs is to follow the directions. If the employer tells you to apply in person, don't call. If the job posting says to mail your resume, do not send it via email. When the job listings says apply via a form on the company web site, don't email your application directly to Human Resources. There is not much more annoying to hiring managers than job seekers who don't follow the rules!
http://www.journalism.co.uk/features/story1334.shtml
Another point to remember when applying for jobs by email is to use a relevant subject line... In the worst case scenario, the wrong subject line may result in your application being trashed before anyone has read it...
Follow instructions: if they ask you not to phone, don't phone!
http://www.dallascityhall.com/dallas/eng/html/employment.html
SPECIFY THE POSTION IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR EMAIL by typing "JOB TITLE:" followed by the title listed in the job posting. Failure to do so may delay the processing of your application.
http://www.bernco.gov/live/jobs.asp
Emailing your application: To submit your job application by email, download the form from the "download applications" tab on the front page of the County web site. Follow the instructions on that page for saving the file to your computer. When your form is complete and ready to send in, YOU MUST rename the file. The following example shows first name_last name_application date. Please use the format example: jane_doe_09_09_04.doc (name and date of submission with underscores in between). Attach your file and submit to: apply@bernco.gov
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/humanresources/jobs/
Include the competition number only in the email subject line.
http://www.fastweb.com/fastweb/resources/articles/index/103810?id=
Is it preferable to send resume by email or by postal mail when applying for a job?
Answer:
There is no "right" answer to your question because different employers have different preferences and requirements. The best thing you can do is to follow the instructions each employer provides and send your resume in the format they request.
http://www.rileyguide.com/eresume.html
If responding to an advertisement, read the application instructions and follow them. Failing to follow application instructions not only delays your resume, it labels you as someone who doesn't take direction well. It's the Trash bin for you. They might specify an email address and job code to use. They might even actually ask you to send your resume as a Word attachment. Whatever they want, you do.