what is the best way to apply for a job

[jiacinto]

My brother says sending a CL and resume via the regular mail is best and has worked for him.

He says

1) emails get deleted
2) faxes get thrown away

what do you think

I am looking for jobs back in DC. Also someone just said that having an IA address means that my information will be thrown out.

[La_Serpiente]

1. Put it in a Manila Envelope

and make it neat and clean.

[jiacinto]

7. Yeah

I have my printer print out the address.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. I agree with your brother

Be a foot soldier. Drop it off. Meet people. Make an impression. I am more likely to remember someone i MEET when I am looking for a new employee than some sheet of paper.

[jiacinto]

6. Yeah

But I can't go 1000 miles to do it.

However, I hvae been using very nice envelopes printed off from my compuer.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

15. Right I forgot

Still something that is mailed and perhaps even personalized with a handwritten thoughful note would make an impact.

[jiacinto]

22. Ok

Thanks for the advice.

[KG]

3. e-mail and faxes work.

since many jobs ads are on-line they expect you to reply by e-mail.

sometimes it is specified e-mail or fax.

be sure to send resumes in .doc format sice most places use MSWord.

[will work 4 food]

4. what is the best way to apply for a job?

Naked, with flowers.

[commander bunnypants]

13. You are hired

DDQM

[GOPisEvil]

5. I agree that mail is best.

1. Use high quality paper.
2. Mail it flat, not folded.
3. Yes this is more expensive, but it will pay off.

[eyesroll]

8. When I was hiring, I accepted resumes via fax, mail and e-mail,

and I looked at them all.
But I work for a small company, and was hiring one position, and got maybe 50 applicants.

I've heard some companies don't even bother looking at the e-mails. To me, that just seems unfair, since they advertised they accept e-mail resumes. But I'm not in charge, and I think if the company gives you a choice, try mail. If you want them to get it quickly, you can e-mail a resume with "I will follow up with a hard copy," and then mail a hard copy.

(BTW: I got my current job by submitting a fax resume. Again, small company.)

Good luck!

[jiacinto]

9. Ok

That was my concern. I thought that companies got so many emails that they just deleted them.

[Nazgul35]

10. Have your daddy buy the company!!!

:evilgrin:

[Nikia]

11. Email has worked for me

Since you really want to get a good, higher level job, mailing it probably makes a better impression. If you are replying to a job listing on the internet and it lists an email addresss, I don't think it will decrease your chances of getting the job provided that it is mailed properly so that it doesn't get spaced oddly. If it is a job that you see online that was posted a couple of weeks ago, email is obviously faster and a good idea to avoid just missing their deadline.

[NewGuy]

12. Most important is to...

read the position description and target your cover letter to the specific requirements. Also good to target your resume as much as you can. I hire routinely in my current position and fully half of the application packages I look at get screened out because they do not show that the applicant meets the required aspects from our ad.

If the ad requires a left handed metal bender and you are one start your cover letter that way. Then match the order your abilities show up to the order they are listed in the job ad. Type and format of the resume and cover letter is much less important than targeting what they say to what is being looked for.

[Lisa0825]

14. In my training as an employment counselor...

we are told to tell clients that in person is best, next is email, and then fax. With so many applicants applying for the same jobs, taking a few days to get your resume there may just mean that someone beat you to the punch. MY advice is to type up a nice cover letter and attach it AND your resume to an email. In the body of the eamil, you can say something short like "PLease see attached letter regarding blah blah blah." In the cover letter, if you like, you can add the sentence, "Hard copy to follow by mail," and then mail your letter and resume on nice subtle paper. And yes, an envelope that stands out can make a difference. If you are sending it out of state, you could also send it priority mail, for example.

edited to add: some places specify how to respond, but I would only fax if that is the only choice. Most companies have communal fax machines, and you neve know how long it might sit in the box before someone passes it along, or it could end up on the floor too.

[HereSince1628]

16. Apply before it's advertised

that requires insider information, but that seems to be needed.

[HawkerHurricane]

17. You say...

"Gee, Dad, before I take over the company from you, I better start learning the ropes!"

[jiacinto]

18. By the way

I was told that having an IA address by a friend just now means that employers in another city will throw my resume out.

[Lisa0825]

20. That is sometimes true, so if you have anyone in that state

whose address you can use, it is a good idea to put that on your resume.

[Kamika]

19. I've hired some ppl

I think person is definetly best, after that snail mail. Then I guess fax or email.

[jiacinto]

23. Ok

thanks.

[slackmaster]

21. Hack their intranet

Take control of their Web servers, databases, whatever you can find.

When they arrest you, offer to explain how you did it if they'll give you a one-year consulting contract.