Sending out your resume

Once you are satisfied with your resume, the next step is to consider how to circulate it. You want to be sure that the right audience receives and understands your objective. Think about your target market and which medium is most appealing for them.

1. Online applications

Whilst there are several methods, particularly if you think creatively, the most preferred method continues to be online. This is preferable due to the automation of most recruitment processes.

The recruitment process can be extensive. Delivering your resume or CV online is the quickest method and most user friendly for automated systems. Your details can be stored and accessed centrally by whoever needs to be involved in the process. Certainly this is the stand out option when dealing with a recruitment agent or HR department of a large business.

The other advantage to an online application is you can easily start to build a relationship with a company or recruiter. You can regularly send in your updated details which will enable you to continually be in touch with the market. You details will be in a database regularly searched whether you are active or not.

If you apply and distribute your details online, you can expect that the response you receive back will be online also. It is likely that you will receive receipt of your application via email or via an auto response. If you are successful or unsuccessful with your application you may find you are advised via email or automatic response. Recruitment systems have been designed to support larger applicant volumes and again help to speed up the process.

When applying online, you do need to include a cover email or attached cover letter which is formal and appropriately addressed using professional font and which is equally quick and easy to download. Another consideration is the email address you use to apply, keep it professional you don’t want judgment or comment passed.

If you would prefer to speak with someone about the process and the application, you will need to initiate a phone call. Similarly, if you are looking for feedback on why you were successful or not, then it may be left to you to enquire. Increased volumes in applications have made it hard to personalize the process until later stages so, ask or you won’t receive!

Sometimes job seekers feel that dealing with a greater the number of agencies will increase their chance of securing a role. There are two sides to this argument. Recruitment agencies will have a number of relevant jobs at any one time. So increasing the number of agents will increase your exposure to the market. Whilst this may be true, it is also worth noting it is important to develop good relationships with the agents whom you deal with. Have quality not quantity, it is time consuming to circulate your resume to every agency. It is true that the bigger the market you are attacking, the more agencies you need to deal with.

2. Online Job Boards

There has been a surge in the number of candidate online job boards recently. Savvy recruitment consultants and HR departments will post advertisements and search on job boards in the quest for the right recruit.

Make sure, that you familiarize yourself with industry specific and generalist candidate boards and online networks. This will increase your “visibility” in the market. You are commonly able to appear ‘anonymously” on such online boards if you choose.

The key to ensuring this method works is keeping your details up to date. If an employer finds you but notices your details are outdated, it will be unlikely they decide to approach you.

3. Online interactive sites

A less conservation approach is using more social online means such as YouTube. Here your career history is not written! It may be a recording selling your highlights. If you choose this method, keep it interactive and concise. Is someone really going to take the time to download a large file or listen to a 1hour recording? Think of the first 5 minutes the same way you do the front page of your resume or CV. There are more elements to consider with this method such as your image, articulation and what you name and save your recording.

4. Companies directly

It is important to consider companies which you would like to work for. If you have a target list, you are able to visit the company website and search for vacancies available. Again, the process is all online. You will make your enquiry and upload your details directly to their database. If this is a method you pursue, you need to be prepared to negotiate directly with the company.

Once again, this method can provide exposure across a business. If your skills appear suited to another division within the company, you will find it is likely that the receiver will forward your application elsewhere within the business for consideration.

5. Print media

Print media continues to be a resourceful source of information; you will find a variety of advertisements by employers and agencies within the classifieds and also within career magazines or career sections of the paper. Here, you find direct contact details for the person looking after the recruitment process.

Write a cover letter addressing this person directly and be sure to incorporate your objective and evidence of the research you completed to make your application a stand out!

6. Your network and then their network

Why not circulate or voice your career plans through your own network? You can do formally or informally, face to face, via email or on the phone.

Update your previous managers, colleagues, peers and friends; they will be happy to articulate your plans further. What a great way to increase your network – 6 degrees of separation after all!

The strength of an application via recommendation and personal referral is unquestionable, without doubt you will be a preferable applicant should this method successful.

Another slightly bolder method would be to go along to networking events, act as your own advertisement! Make more connections then when you have comfortably established these, articulate your interest and plans.

7. Paper Applications

What if you are not applying to a vacancy but have identified a target list to approach? Many job seekers still like the concept of being able to send a resume and introduction letter in the post directly. It is not so common these days so will certainly help you to differentiate yourself!

If you prefer to send a paper based application, be aware they can get lost on a busy desk and are harder to keep record of. Some firms and contacts will also find these slightly antiquated. If you are finding a poor response rate this maybe why, so spend some time online instead!

The way you represent your resume or CV and distribute it should be aligned to trends in the market. Don’t just assume that the method which worked for you last time you secured a role will still be the most effective. The best way of distributing and reaching a widespread audience at this stage is without doubt online.