I send my resume out, and do not get responses very often
I have an immaculate resume.. so i think… it only states 3 jobs on there, my eduation and some brief background on myself including a business i started and sold a while ago. it includes all the areas in which i am proficient (microsoft, siebel,etc) and it is very clean. On the cover letter I always include my strengths as related to the current position I am looking at. however, I dont really get call backs anymore…any suggestions?
ps the position I usually am applying to, I have a background in (SEO SEM, marketing etc)
Twenty-seven percent of human resource (HR) managers say they receive more than 50 resumes, on average, for each open position. More than one-in-ten (13 percent) HR managers receive more than 100 resumes per job opening. The survey, “Resumes 2007,” was conducted from November 17 to December 11, 2006 and included 360 HR managers.
When evaluating candidates’ applications, 77 percent of HR managers surveyed say they look for relevant experience. They also frequently consider a candidate’s ability to demonstrate specific accomplishments (48 percent) and whether the resumes are customized to the open position (41 percent).
HR managers also frequently search for keywords when screening resumes. Top-searched keywords include:
- Problem-solving/decision making (56 percent)
- Leadership (44 percent)
- Oral/written communications (40 percent)
- Team-building (33 percent)
- Performance and productivity improvement (31 percent)
“In today’s competitive job market, it’s essential for a candidate’s resume to be flawless,” said Richard Castellini, vice president of consumer marketing for CareerBuilder.com. “Still, 33 percent of HR managers say more than half of the resumes they receive through online sources have formatting errors. To ensure your resume is error-free, be sure to proofread, proofread, proofread.”
Sixty-three percent of HR managers report that spelling errors are the most annoying mistakes they see on resumes. Other top mistakes include:
- Resumes not customized to the position (30 percent)
- Lies (23 percent)
- Including too many insignificant details on job responsibilities (21 percent)
- Resumes that are more than two pages long (21 percent)
Job seekers who follow up with hiring managers after submitting their resume give themselves an advantage over other, less pro-active candidates. Employers value professionals who possess initiative and enthusiasm, and thoughtful communication after submitting a resume highlights these traits in candidates.
If the employer doesn’t have an opportunity to reply to a follow-up after you have submitted a resume, don’t become discouraged. Many hiring managers receive a high volume of resumes and it can be difficult, if not impossible, to reply to every resume follow-up message.
That said, sending a follow-up message is still a great way for candidates to distinguish themselves by showing motivation and enthusiasm. But don’t just ask if the hiring manager received your resume. When following up, make sure to reinforce the value you can bring to the organization.
In regards to follow-up on resumes, 82 percent of executives polled said job seekers should contact hiring managers within two weeks of submitting application materials.
For follow-up after an interview, candidates should contact those with whom they interviewed within 24 hours.
While nontraditional methods can help candidates get noticed, job seekers should remain professional at all times and carefully tailor their approach to the individual company or industry.
When asked about the best way for a job seeker to communicate with a hiring manager after submitting a resume, 38 percent of executives polled (in 2006) said via e-mail. Thirty-three percent said a phone call was the best option; 23 percent preferred a handwritten note.
But the way an employer is contacted after a resume is submitted is not as important as the communication itself. Whether writing an e-mail or speaking on the phone, job- seekers should demonstrate their familiarity with the company and, at the same time, reinforce their interest in the opportunity and why they are the best person for the position.
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Twenty-seven percent of human resource (HR) managers say they receive more than 50 resumes, on average, for each open position. More than one-in-ten (13 percent) HR managers receive more than 100 resumes per job opening. The survey, “Resumes 2007,” was conducted from November 17 to December 11, 2006 and included 360 HR managers.
When evaluating candidates’ applications, 77 percent of HR managers surveyed say they look for relevant experience. They also frequently consider a candidate’s ability to demonstrate specific accomplishments (48 percent) and whether the resumes are customized to the open position (41 percent).
HR managers also frequently search for keywords when screening resumes. Top-searched keywords include:
- Problem-solving/decision making (56 percent)
- Leadership (44 percent)
- Oral/written communications (40 percent)
- Team-building (33 percent)
- Performance and productivity improvement (31 percent)
“In today’s competitive job market, it’s essential for a candidate’s resume to be flawless,” said Richard Castellini, vice president of consumer marketing for CareerBuilder.com. “Still, 33 percent of HR managers say more than half of the resumes they receive through online sources have formatting errors. To ensure your resume is error-free, be sure to proofread, proofread, proofread.”
Sixty-three percent of HR managers report that spelling errors are the most annoying mistakes they see on resumes. Other top mistakes include:
- Resumes not customized to the position (30 percent)
- Lies (23 percent)
- Including too many insignificant details on job responsibilities (21 percent)
- Resumes that are more than two pages long (21 percent)
Job seekers who follow up with hiring managers after submitting their resume give themselves an advantage over other, less pro-active candidates. Employers value professionals who possess initiative and enthusiasm, and thoughtful communication after submitting a resume highlights these traits in candidates.
If the employer doesn’t have an opportunity to reply to a follow-up after you have submitted a resume, don’t become discouraged. Many hiring managers receive a high volume of resumes and it can be difficult, if not impossible, to reply to every resume follow-up message.
That said, sending a follow-up message is still a great way for candidates to distinguish themselves by showing motivation and enthusiasm. But don’t just ask if the hiring manager received your resume. When following up, make sure to reinforce the value you can bring to the organization.
In regards to follow-up on resumes, 82 percent of executives polled said job seekers should contact hiring managers within two weeks of submitting application materials.
For follow-up after an interview, candidates should contact those with whom they interviewed within 24 hours.
While nontraditional methods can help candidates get noticed, job seekers should remain professional at all times and carefully tailor their approach to the individual company or industry.
When asked about the best way for a job seeker to communicate with a hiring manager after submitting a resume, 38 percent of executives polled (in 2006) said via e-mail. Thirty-three percent said a phone call was the best option; 23 percent preferred a handwritten note.
But the way an employer is contacted after a resume is submitted is not as important as the communication itself. Whether writing an e-mail or speaking on the phone, job- seekers should demonstrate their familiarity with the company and, at the same time, reinforce their interest in the opportunity and why they are the best person for the position.
References :
http://rockyourcareer.wordpress.com/2007/05/07/make-your-resume-stand-out/
http://www.jobsinthemoney.com/news.php?articleID=157