Posted by: William W. (Woody) WilliamsOnline Job Search: Recommendations for Success (II)
Other Job Board Vagaries and Twists of Fate
One job board -- don't remember which at the moment and it might be more than one -- won't accept a school added to a member profile unless a degree is selected. If career related courses were taken, for example, at a community college but no degree obtained from that institution, it can't be included in the profile. Other job boards have a "no degree" option available.
Most job boards won't accept a school added to a member profile (degree or not) unless a physical location / address for the institution is selected. "Online" is not an option. That is non-intuitive since there are numerous online colleges with no brick and mortar attached. So, if a certification course was completed online from Villanova, for example, then the profile shows the location as a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The "school locations" constraint is probably there to avoid confusion between schools with the same name in different locations. However, it may result in employers or recruiters assuming this means a residency in Philadelphia, for example, when that is not the case. At the very least, for those with credentials from on line educational organizations, it means digging around and finding a physical address.
The amount and kind of similar vagaries are too numerous to list or categorize logically.
Bottom line: Be prepared to accept and handle these things on a one-off basis. Be flexible; take a deep breath; move on.
Employer web sites
Job applicants, in most cases, should expect corporate HR sites to be onerous, capricious, complex, less rational, and more time consuming than any other on line entity. Only the largest and most conscientious organizations make an attempt to provide a clean, friendly, user experience. These are few and far between.
The odds are good that one of the resume file formats and sizes created can be uploaded to a corporate HR site. But, be prepared, many do not accept a resume at all preferring, instead, for applicants to build a resume or application from scratch using their proprietary system. Some require opening an account with log on and password, profile building, and more.
Bottom Line Again: Be flexible; accept what comes and move on.
Other online documents
References
Create a list of references in a couple of file formats -- one document (.doc, .rtf, pdf) format for submissions and email and one in plain text. References are not typically required unless an interview is scheduled, however some HR / corporate websites require references up front. Use the plain text version to easily cut and paste into on line forms.
Never send references unless requested to do so and the recipient is trusted.
Cover Letter
Probably not as meaningful for contract opportunities as for permanent positions but a good idea for all.
Create a simple template document. Include a section for "Requirements and Response" and a Value Proposition. An "availability statement" is particularly important if relocating or working away from home .
For each submission, cut and paste the specific job requirements to the "Requirements and Response" section and bullet the list. For each requirement, briefly note if it's met or not (Yes/No) and a brief statement. "Yes, expert, 10 years," for example. Be sure to include all the job requirements posted.
Research the company, its culture, and goals. Tell them why/how those goals are fulfilled and the culture a good fit. Quantify the value brought to the table and tell them what it means for this position.
If the position, for example, requires experience in process improvement, include a statement based on verifiable personal experience such as...
- Reduced call center resource needs by over 30% through process improvement initiatives.
- Increased retention rates in key resources by 25% in one year through team building, advocacy, and leadership.
Most job boards allow members to save cover letters. Use the same template on all and customize for each submission.
Documents: The Point
The point of the cover letter is to motivate a real person to take the next step and look at the resume rather than hit the "next" key. Be very brief and focused on meeting the specific needs of the employer and, therefore, generating interest in reading / viewing the resume.
The point of the resume is to motivate a real person to take the next step and schedule an interview. Customize each submission to the needs of the employer. Be specific and be brief about the quantified, verifiable value the candidate brings in terms of the specific position and specific corporate culture.
The point of the interview is to get the job... but that's not in scope at the moment. It is important to understand the flow of things... from cover letter to resume to interview, and what the point is for each document submitted.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment