I must've sent out at least 50 resumes for positions with requirements I felt I was at least 85% qualified for in the past month since I lost my job. No dice on any one of them. I understand I'm probably one out of a few thousand applying for the same job, but I wonder if there's anything I'm missing...

Going through dice/headhunter/monster for these jobs, and I usually attach my resume in an email with a brief description of myself and a willingness to discuss how I may contribute. Should I type in a whole cover letter? I thought to myself: If I was the HR person looking at this, maybe I wouldn't want to read a long ass email and just get to the resume.

My resume has been cleaned up to 1 page, but of course it covers maybe 1/4 of what I want to put on there...

 

wish i could help mingster....did you try hotjobs? they've always worked for me but i usually sent out like 50 resumes a week lol...i go hardcore in the job search...and i don't necessarily go for the jobs i'm uniquely qualified for but those i think i can do and my resume would show that so i apply even to those i think i won't get and i've gotten a few call backs about those. other than that on the cover letter you should express what puts you above any other candidate they might be interviewing...your resume tells them about you but the cover letter should state why this job is for you and how you can offer them some value at that position.

i just say send out more resumes even to positions you don't think you're well qualified for...you never know...they might take you cause they feel they can pay you less than a more experienced person and they'll train you for that position. give it a shot and good luck man...if you're in the LA area my friend is a recruiter for deloitte consulting...i'll ask her about openings there ok?

Manny

 

Have you tried networking through friends in the business, or by attending a professional society meeting or similar venue where people who might be in the market for your skills (or know someone who is) can be gently persuaded to give you a name?

Especially in tough markets, resumes over the transom, even when submitted in response to an ad, rarely result in employment. Often firms will advertise simply to satisfy some legal requirement, even when they already have the person they want on staff and ready to transfer.

I'm going to PM you some other info.

cal

 

What exactly do you do? Can I see your resume? I may be able to help

 

Thanks guys for the info!

can i email it to you?

Also, anyone know how to write a good cover letter? I haven't looked for a job in 4 years...

 

mingster,

Job hunting web sites...

Those job hunter web sites don't work. I'll tell you why...
Companies get hundreds of e-mail resumes a day and they get canned without anyone taking a look at them. My gf worked close ties with human resources at her last job and they had piles and piles of resumes they just threw away daily.

The best way to make use of the job hunter web sites is to surf for jobs you are interested in and write down the position, company, and contact for the job. Keep doing this until you have a good pile. Then go strait to the companie's web site and find some kind of human resource phone number, or call the main number and ask for human resource. Grab the phone and call the guy/lady up and ask...

1. if the position is still available.
2. details about the job.
3. for a interview.
4. for a personal e-mail adress so you can send them your resume (emailing your resume to an adress like employment@Honda.com won't get you anywhere).

If she/he says that he will check out your resume...great. Call him or her back in a couple days. Following up is a necessity.

Referrals...

Know some friends? That is probably the best way to get an interview. Companies love employee referrals bud.

Head hunters...

I personally don't like those employment agencies too much. They might not be out there to find you the best job that matches you...they are out there to find the job that returns the most $$$ into their pockets...catch my drift? But, it doesn't hurt to allocate some of your time into a couple of these agencies.

 

good tips Phantom, I'll keep that in mind during my search too!

 

check your pm

 

Just to repeat the same theme as others..

Companies don

 

It's been my experience that you have to know someone. Almost all of the employees at my company's corporate office have known or worked with someone else in the company, including me The top guys seem to be hiring people they worked with 3 or 4 jobs ago.