Resume quick question

sharptech

When sending a resume - do you print the cover letter and references on the same paper as your resume? (IE - special resume paper)

What do you guys do?

Thank you

hetty

Whats wrong with email?

peanutnoggin

+1 Hetty...

I've never handed a physical resume with the exception of Job Fairs. Other then that, its always been emailing and posting to the company's career's site online. Good luck.

~Peanut Head

sharptech

the job I am applying to only takes resumes by mail - no email. It is for a university.

Thats why I had to ask because I usually never have to send one out.

peanutnoggin

I honestly cannot say whether to use different paper or not. I will keep my eye on this post to find out what others may think and/or suggest. I'm pretty curious myself now...

~Peanut Head

hetty

The last time I had to do that, the was no such thing as special resume paper. Just print it out on normal paper. Its fine.

ajs1976

I would print everything on the same paper.

sharptech

hetty wrote:

The last time I had to do that, the was no such thing as special resume paper. Just print it out on normal paper. Its fine.

Its just a different grade of paper - more professional then regular paper.

hetty

I use bright white 100gsm paper rather than 80gsm, cause it looks & feels nicer. If thats what you mean. But I still dont think it matters.

sharptech

ajs1976 wrote:

I would print everything on the same paper.

OK thank you

cisco_trooper

Put it on the same type of paper, but make the references their own sheet.

Bring extra copies of both your resume and references to the interview, in case your interviewer conveniently forgets to bring his copy with you. This will show you are prepared and like to think ahead.

sharptech

OK will do -

Also another question - do you guys bring anything to interviews - for instance project plans you developed, policy's you wrote - or just come w/ some extra resumes on hand just in case.

ajs1976

I bring extra copies of my resume, references and anything else they ask for. I also have a binder that has my certificates, transcripts, project descriptions, etc. No one has ever asked to look through it, but I have it just incase they need anything else.

sharptech

ajs1976 wrote:

I bring extra copies of my resume, references and anything else they ask for. I also have a binder that has my certificates, transcripts, project descriptions, etc. No one has ever asked to look through it, but I have it just incase they need anything else.

OK great - thank you

sharptech

New question -

Is there a site that reviews company's? I want to make sure the company is a good one to work for before trying to start applying.

I just found a position I liked, but they had a misspelling in their job description- which is not good.

hetty

sharptech wrote:

I just found a position I liked, but they had a misspelling in their job description- which is not good.

Wow, thats cold man. You probably wont like my forum replies cause I dont use punctuation marks & capitalisation as I should

Research each companies website, you could checkout the 100 best fortune 500 companies to work for if they are in the 500. Otherwise check royals post about pre-interview or for you it would be pre-applying.

ROMGabe

First question answer:
If the perspective employer asks for this information (resume, cover letter, and references) to be mailed, then you have to print them. I would print them on separate pages, since they are different documents (and plus, some resumes do not fit on only one page).

Second question answer:
I always use www.ZoomInfo.com

I recently had an interview in Copenhagen (Denmark) with a really small company. Coming from California and not understanding Danish, I was really surprised to find that ZoomInfo.com had some pretty good amount of info. This site gives you a break down on what the comany does, the area of specialty, etc.

You might also want to look at this one: http://www.vault.com/companies/searchcompanies.jsp

sharptech

Thanks to the both of you!

Hetty- I do not care about in the forums - I misspell all the time, but on a professional job description they should double check that- as they will my resume :P

Great site ROM - thanks a lot!

Another quick question - if it says to just send a resume - do you guys also send a cover letter along with it or wait until to see if they ask for it?

Thanks again.

astorrs

You should always include a cover letter when applying for a job. Remember you are marketing yourself. Companies only hire when they *need* something. Essentially your resume and cover letter together should sell the company on why you are the right candidate for the job.

An objective (which most resume pro's will tell you is a bad idea) or summary that says something like:

"An experienced IT professional looking for a chance to gain supervisory experience"

Doesn't mean crap to the company. They want to know what you can do for them - how you can solve their problems and what you have done in the past to help others. Save the "what I want with my career" lines for the interview.

Here's a great post from Louise Fletcher (one of the most respected resume writers/career marketers in the field) on the subject. I would encourage everyone here to read her past blog posts there is tons of great information to be found.

http://www.blueskyresumesblog.com/2007/10/no-one-cares-wh.html

"No One Cares What You Want!

That may sound harsh, but during a job search it's true.

The hiring manager has many concerns, issues, worries and problems - too much work, not enough staff, looming business issues or missed opportunities, a headache, a fight with her teenage daughter ... but whatever is swirling round her mind when she looks at your resume, the very last thing she's thinking is "I wonder what all these candidates want in their next job? I wonder what's important to them?"

(She might care about that later, if she interviews you and likes you and is thinking about an offer, but right now she doesn't give two hoots.)

This is why I hate resumes that start with an objective statement. Even the most well-written objective statement is a waste of space because the employer just doesn't care. But most are not actually counter-productive. This week I came across a resume that had one of the LEAST effective objective statements I've ever seen. One that would surely dissuade employers from ever even picking up the phone.

It started with a short description of the type of job being sought, but then it went on: "I do NOT want to work at a company that doesn't value it's employees. I do NOT want to have to ask permission when I have an idea. I do NOT want ..."

It went on a little longer but you get the idea. Not only is this candidate focused only on his own concerns - he's also making himself look like a troublemaker, even though there is nothing inherently wrong with the things he is seeking in his next position - they just don't belong on a resume!

Your resume and cover letters must never focus on your needs and concerns. Every word must focus on showing why you can add value to potential employers. Your introduction should focus on this entirely with no mention of your own desires.

That's not to say your desires are not important - of course they are. You will asses opportunities based on your needs and concerns. You will choose a job that meets those needs. But by focusing your resume on what the employer needs, you will ensure that you have the broadest array of options from which to choose."

sharptech

Thank you astorrs very helpful!

OK so I had my interview - got called in for a second interview and they both went very well. On the second interview they asked for my references which I gave to them. They told me I would be a great match for their company.

They said they would be getting in contact w/ my references and then getting back to me.

2 questions - after one week should I reach out to them and ask where the job stands? - or should I wait longer or just wait for them to contact me?

Also should I contact my references to see if they sent in the reference or is that on them and I should not worry about that?

Thanks!

undomiel

Most companies don't actually check references in my experience. So far I've had only one prospective employer in the many many interviews I've been to contact my references. Did the company provide you with a time frame for when they would be contacting you and/or your references? If not then I would say contact them 3 business days after the interview. A week is too long in my opinion. You'll have faded from mind by then. If they did give you a time frame then contact 2 days after that time frame expires.

sharptech

undomiel wrote:

Most companies don't actually check references in my experience. So far I've had only one prospective employer in the many many interviews I've been to contact my references. Did the company provide you with a time frame for when they would be contacting you and/or your references? If not then I would say contact them 3 business days after the interview. A week is too long in my opinion. You'll have faded from mind by then. If they did give you a time frame then contact 2 days after that time frame expires.

Sounds good - thanks!

They said we will contact you 'next week' so its time to send something out. Do I contact the director of IT or the Director of HR and what should I say in the note?

Thank you

undomiel

Contact whomever you interviewed with and if you're unsure you generally can't go wrong with contacting HR. I wouldn't recommend a note. Calling them directly is best. Sending a note is for when you finished your interview so that you can thank them for give you the opportunity to interview with them.

sharptech

undomiel wrote:

Contact whomever you interviewed with and if you're unsure you generally can't go wrong with contacting HR. I wouldn't recommend a note. Calling them directly is best. Sending a note is for when you finished your interview so that you can thank them for give you the opportunity to interview with them.

OK great. Thanks for the advice - I will give them a call and see what is going on.

sharptech

Well I had an interview with this company - they are looking for a tech support/network guy and I interviewed with the head of HR and the Director of IT - it went very well and they called me back that night asking for a second interview. Second interview went well and they said they would be getting back to me in a week. They had mentioned in the interview that I would be a good fit into their company. - well that was two weeks ago.

I called the Director of HR and Director of IT a few times and left a message and not heard back. They took the job posting down so I am assuming they hired someone else, but I never have had the problem of no one ever calling me back. Should I reach out to them again or should I move on?

Another question - I applied for another job a week ago - when is it a good time to reach out and when I do what is good to ask? (IE Have you received my resume, or whatever)

Thanks!

networker050184

I'd call them back. They may just be busy and not gotten around to you yet. You could refresh their memory for them. Worse they can say is the position is filled.

On the second question, you could follow up and ensure they received your resume. I have never done this personally, but I don't think it would hurt. Also, if your resume is at the bottom of the stack you may get it pulled to the top when they check to see if they have received it.

Good luck on the job hunt!

sharptech

networker050184 - Thanks - Yeah I called a few times - never got a hold of them - I guess I can give a try back. I never had a company so interested lose interest ;p

OK I will touch base w/ the other company I put in a resume with - thanks for the help.

blargoe

sharptech wrote:

I called the Director of HR and Director of IT a few times......

Should I reach out to them again or should I move on?

Don't do that. Once is OK, maybe once per person, but wait until about the period of time that they say to expect to hear from them. If you just keep calling and calling you're likely going to piss them off. Maybe one more call after another week. Beyond that, you can assume they don't need a reminder, I can almost guarantee you they found someone else or they decided to suspend the position.

Another question - I applied for another job a week ago - when is it a good time to reach out and when I do what is good to ask? (IE Have you received my resume, or whatever)

Wouldn't to contact them, a week is reasonable to check to see if they got the resume.[/b]

sharptech

blargoe -

Yeah I called one week after another - they still have not responded so as you said they found someone else I am sure.

I actually just checked w/ a friend who is applying for a different position at the same place I did and he had mentioned my name to the HR Director and she said they passed my resume along to the IT department so I will wait to see if they call.

Thanks for the advice.

sharptech

I just got another phone call for an Interview - here is the situation - right now I am looking to relocate to my hometown (only few hours away) - for personal reasons.

Right now I have the great job of 8-5 and make decent salary.

I got a call from a Casino that is need of an IT position - however the shift is midnight-8 and salary rate is 6k less then I make now (negotiable.)

I do not mind the shift, however the pay is what I do not like - would you guys take the interview see how it goes or kindly decline?

undomiel

I would say forget that. They would need to pay at least 6k more than your current salary what with it being a really sucky shift. I would also avoid it if you have family. Shifts like that can really ruin a marriage.