Questions about responding to online job ads - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Jesus Pimp · 11-23-2004, 07:10 AM

Do most places read your cover letter or straight to your resume?

Do you get a better repsonse if you attach your resume or include it in the body of your email?

What do you do if you don't hear back and they didn't post a phone number?

absorbentishe · 11-23-2004, 07:43 AM

Hmmm... I'm running into the problem of not hearing anything, period. I've been resonding to online ads and paper ads, to no avail. Personally, I think putting the cover letter in your email, copy paste, is the way to go. If you don't hear back, email them again, if they don't respond, guess you weren't going to be contacted from the start.

boom29 · 11-24-2004, 06:18 PM

I try to stay away from filling job applications online, but lately I've gotten almost immediate call-backs. The places were I applied did not require the resume right away, but they did want the other background information. When I do have to send a resume, I usually attach it, and mention in the e-mail that the resume is attached. Most of the places that I applied to have a separate section for the cover letter.

Jesus Pimp · 11-25-2004, 09:22 AM

Thanks guys. I haven't had any callbacks to any job I've applied online

. I think the only way I'm going to find a job is through networking.

guthmund · 11-25-2004, 11:11 PM

I've only submitted for a few jobs and haven't heard back from any of them. I submit the resume as an attachment and use the e-mail body as a cover letter.

I called back about one, but a real snotty lady told me that "Yes, We got it."

She was really snotty and sounded like she used the royal "We." I didn't call back (or e-mail back) on any of the others.

Aladdin Sane · 11-28-2004, 03:04 PM

I got my job on Monster.com. I sent about 100 resumes. It took 4 or 5 months before I heard from anyone. It was weird. Suddenly, after months of total silence, I got responses from three different employers.

Do most places read your cover letter or straight to your resume?
I always read the cover letter. Sometimes it provides info not given in the resume.

Do you get a better repsonse if you attach your resume or include it in the body of your email?
It doesn't matter.

What do you do if you don't hear back and they didn't post a phone number?
You could send an email asking if they received your resume.

I've been reading resumes and interviewing prospective employees for about 4 years now. I think it's important to give as much relevant information as possible in the shortest amount of space that is possible.
I'll jump ahead and give you some advice that you will need soon enough. In an interview, remember that you are also interviewing the employer. Approach it from a position of equality-- not as a poor jobless guy with his hat in his hand. Ask questions when given the opportunity. Most importantly, be honest. Don't try to BS when you don't know the answer to a question.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

LIMilf · 11-28-2004, 08:51 PM

I found that I would get better responses if I first went on the job search websites (Monster, hotjobs,etc.) and found listings for certain companies. Then I would go on the company website and email the HR dept. directly. Whenever I submitted a resume through the job search sites, I didnt get any quality responses. But when going direct to the company, it seemed a little more effective.

vox_rox · 11-29-2004, 02:12 PM

The job I currently have I got through an online job site, aqnd I got it, in my field, and started only two weeks after graduating University. I say, do whatever you need to do to get a job, and online job searches like Monster, Workopolis, Job Shark, whatever, I say go, go, go...

Pierre

metalgeek · 11-29-2004, 05:26 PM

Got a fair number of interview through online sites, really I suppose the trick is to apply to lots, and cusomtize your cover letter for each.
and try and make yourresume stand out. (in a good way) come up with a slightly different layout than the standerd word templates and such.

spindles · 11-29-2004, 08:11 PM

You also want to target your resume at the type of job you are trying to get - for example, my wife goes for graphic design type jobs, whereas mine are my network admin etc. stuff - her resume looks a lot "prettier" than mine.

Further to the interview thing - if you get one, find out about the company beforehand - annual reports, web site etc. - it is always a plus for people to turn up knowing what the company does...

tropple · 11-30-2004, 04:11 AM

I would avoid on-line job sites.

In my experience, the best place to go is to a real headhunter. Though, if you are still looking for a job online, look for "Career Opportunity" or "Job Openings" at websites for companies where you might like to work.

Avoid mass-mailings. It wastes your time and money.

11-23-2004, 07:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jesus Pimp The Original JizzSmacka	Questions about responding to online job ads Do most places read your cover letter or straight to your resume? Do you get a better repsonse if you attach your resume or include it in the body of your email? What do you do if you don't hear back and they didn't post a phone number? __________________ Never date anyone who doesn't make your dick hard.

11-25-2004, 09:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jesus Pimp The Original JizzSmacka	Thanks guys. I haven't had any callbacks to any job I've applied online . I think the only way I'm going to find a job is through networking. __________________ Never date anyone who doesn't make your dick hard.

11-25-2004, 11:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
guthmund big damn hero	I've only submitted for a few jobs and haven't heard back from any of them. I submit the resume as an attachment and use the e-mail body as a cover letter. I called back about one, but a real snotty lady told me that "Yes, We got it." She was really snotty and sounded like she used the royal "We." I didn't call back (or e-mail back) on any of the others. __________________ No signature. None. Seriously.

11-28-2004, 03:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
Aladdin Sane Degenerate Location: San Marvelous	I got my job on Monster.com. I sent about 100 resumes. It took 4 or 5 months before I heard from anyone. It was weird. Suddenly, after months of total silence, I got responses from three different employers. Do most places read your cover letter or straight to your resume? I always read the cover letter. Sometimes it provides info not given in the resume. Do you get a better repsonse if you attach your resume or include it in the body of your email? It doesn't matter. What do you do if you don't hear back and they didn't post a phone number? You could send an email asking if they received your resume. I've been reading resumes and interviewing prospective employees for about 4 years now. I think it's important to give as much relevant information as possible in the shortest amount of space that is possible. I'll jump ahead and give you some advice that you will need soon enough. In an interview, remember that you are also interviewing the employer. Approach it from a position of equality-- not as a poor jobless guy with his hat in his hand. Ask questions when given the opportunity. Most importantly, be honest. Don't try to BS when you don't know the answer to a question. Hope this helps. Good luck. __________________ Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.

11-28-2004, 08:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
LIMilf Crazy	I found that I would get better responses if I first went on the job search websites (Monster, hotjobs,etc.) and found listings for certain companies. Then I would go on the company website and email the HR dept. directly. Whenever I submitted a resume through the job search sites, I didnt get any quality responses. But when going direct to the company, it seemed a little more effective. __________________ My goal is to be rookie of the year...

11-23-2004, 07:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
absorbentishe Boy am I horny today Location: T O L E D O, Toledo!!	Hmmm... I'm running into the problem of not hearing anything, period. I've been resonding to online ads and paper ads, to no avail. Personally, I think putting the cover letter in your email, copy paste, is the way to go. If you don't hear back, email them again, if they don't respond, guess you weren't going to be contacted from the start.

11-24-2004, 06:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
boom29 Insane	I try to stay away from filling job applications online, but lately I've gotten almost immediate call-backs. The places were I applied did not require the resume right away, but they did want the other background information. When I do have to send a resume, I usually attach it, and mention in the e-mail that the resume is attached. Most of the places that I applied to have a separate section for the cover letter.

11-29-2004, 02:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
vox_rox Psycho Location: Comfy Little Bungalow	I live the dream The job I currently have I got through an online job site, aqnd I got it, in my field, and started only two weeks after graduating University. I say, do whatever you need to do to get a job, and online job searches like Monster, Workopolis, Job Shark, whatever, I say go, go, go... Pierre

11-29-2004, 05:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
metalgeek Insane Location: Calgary	Got a fair number of interview through online sites, really I suppose the trick is to apply to lots, and cusomtize your cover letter for each. and try and make yourresume stand out. (in a good way) come up with a slightly different layout than the standerd word templates and such.

11-29-2004, 08:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
spindles Mine is an evil laugh Location: Sydney, Australia	You also want to target your resume at the type of job you are trying to get - for example, my wife goes for graphic design type jobs, whereas mine are my network admin etc. stuff - her resume looks a lot "prettier" than mine. Further to the interview thing - if you get one, find out about the company beforehand - annual reports, web site etc. - it is always a plus for people to turn up knowing what the company does... __________________ who hid my keyboard's PANIC button?

11-30-2004, 04:11 AM	#11 (permalink)
tropple Junkie	I would avoid on-line job sites. In my experience, the best place to go is to a real headhunter. Though, if you are still looking for a job online, look for "Career Opportunity" or "Job Openings" at websites for companies where you might like to work. Avoid mass-mailings. It wastes your time and money. __________________ +++++++++++Boom!