Have you ever tried to mail your resume out while keeping you fingers crossed not really knowing what’ll happen next? Well, it’s not a coincidence or a pure matter of bad luck if doing this doesn’t get you a response most of the time. It can be helped. So, if you don’t want to send your resume into the abyss, consider these:

Labeling
Indicate what position you’re applying for especially if that company is hiring for different job positions. Update your contact info if you can’t be found, you can’t be hired.
Address it to the right person. Do you know how irritating it can be to read something you know should be addressed to you but just says “to whom it may concern.” Use some elbow grease, research! Find out who you have to address it to or what department should your application be forwarded to.

Customizing
A generic resume can never be as impressive as one that is tailored for a specific job. Have you ever heard how a person who is good at a lot of things is an expert at nothing?
Employers would always be looking for the best for a certain position, not just someone who can do a lot of stuff.
And do you know how a heartfelt message can lose its meaning when it’s sent to all instead of just you? It’s similar. An employer would feel your enthusiasm for the job if you’ve presented them a resume that can clearly address their needs.

Using keywords
Lacking the right keywords can flush your resume down the drain. Gone in 60 seconds or less! You may have all the qualities they’re looking for but if you failed to write it then it’s almost the same as not having it.
At this age, machines are also being used to scan through resumes. They use a software that looks for industry specific keywords to consider resumes in their shortlist of candidates. So again, research! Learn the right keywords you should include in your resume for each specific job you’re applying for.

Writing a Juicy Cover Letter
Don’t bore you’re reader by being redundant. Think of your cover letter as an additional space for you to say things that your resume didn’t include. It’s your 15 minutes of fame! Well, it’s so much less actually so don’t go and write a novel about your life story. What I mean is this is your time to shine and explain further about your achievements and how you fit the position. Use it wisely. Explain gaps in your resume. Include relevant skills and experiences you’ve acquired that would be valuable for the company.

Waiting
Until you’re somehow qualified, don’t apply. Well, duh! Ever wonder why people need back up to get certain jobs? Yes you’re right, because most of these people are not qualified at all. If for example you’ve been a chef for the past few years, you can’t get a job as a pilot. They can’t hire you if all you can present is your cooking prowess. Plus, if you really wanted to be a pilot then you should’ve had at least a hundred flying hours in your list of trainings. So if you lack what’s needed, equip yourself with it. Once you have it, by all means apply for that certain job you’re eyeing for.

Oftentimes people blindly and carelessly send their resume out to different places when they’re just desperate to get a job. Don’t get caught in this. It’s like setting yourself up for disappointment! Don’t get your resume tossed out simply by missing out on these.

Tags: custom resume, generic resume, job applying, job positions, job seekers, jobs, resume writing

This entry was posted on Friday, February 12th, 2010 at 1:33 am and is filed under Applying for a Job, Cover Letters, Free Advice, Job Search Tips, Resume, Resume Do's and Don'ts, how to write a resume. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.