Answers to 5 Typical Job Hunt Questions that Can Have a Big Impact 

Working in Human Resources, and having a lot of responsibility for recruiting, I naturally get asked for advice on resumes and the dos and don’ts of landing a new job. There’s a lot of advice out there for job seekers, but from the standpoint of a recruiter, some of it is worth following and some is not. I’ve set out to clear up a few questions I commonly hear from job seekers:

Question: Is a resume the appropriate place for personal expression? Should I use a lot of graphics, colors and fancy fonts to make it stand out?
It’s true, a standard resume looks boring and lacks personality from a visual standpoint, but keeping resumes in a simple format will help you in the end. Many companies use technology that scans resumes, so keeping your resume simple can prevent it from being discarded before it’s even reviewed. If your resume contains a lot of graphics, symbols, or non-standard fonts, you also risk incorrect translation. The end result that’s viewed by recruiters would make you cringe.

Question: For sake of presentation, should a resume be put in a fancy folder and be mailed or dropped off?
It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money on a special folder. While it may get you noticed, it may not be for the right reason. In reality, it just creates a lot of extra work for the person who is reviewing resumes. They will have to disassemble it in order to distribute copies or store it electronically. In today’s age where “green” living is a way of life, it may also come across as wasteful. Help save time and the environment, and skip the folder.

Question: Should the same resume and cover letter be used to apply for all positions? After all, the jobs being applied to are all the same.
If you are serious about the job, you should tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for. Scan the job posting, and pick out some skills, experience and attributes listed and find ways to work them into your resume. Companies receive hundreds, if not thousands of resumes for an opening. Many of them have online application technology that will scan for keywords to help narrow down the number of resumes they actually look at. You should also have a separate cover letter for each job and ensure it’s addressed to the right company. You don’t want to lose credibility right off the bat by sending the same cover letter you used to apply for a job with the competitor, still addressed to the competitor!

Question: Should candidates call the recruiter repeatedly to express interest in the position so they know that you want the job? What about stopping by if in the area?
It’s best not to call the recruiter repeatedly, or to stop by to check on status. Most phones have caller ID, so if you call repeatedly it comes across as desperate. Recruiters are fortunately (and unfortunately) very busy people these days. Generally, they aren’t going to be available to come meet with you if you just pop in. I suggest one phone call and/or a follow up email. It lets them know you’re interested without turning them off.

Question: Do people still write thank you notes after they have an interview? Do they need to be handwritten?
If you are lucky enough to get an interview, you should absolutely follow up with a thank you note. This can be in the form of an email or a handwritten note. A handwritten note shows you put some extra time and effort, but it’s not required. An email is better than no thank you at all. Thank the interviewer for taking time to meet with you. It’s another great avenue for reminding them that you are interested in the job.

Recommended Do’s & Don’ts

There are many other specific situations people have asked questions about, but those above are some of the most common that apply to most anyone looking for a job.   A few other dos and don’ts worth mentioning:

• Do make sure all information is accurate, and proofread before sending or submitting your resume and application.
• Do address any gaps in employment if you are comfortable doing so. It’s a good practice and doesn’t come across as you trying to hide something.
• Do include a cover letter to explain gaps of employment or any other things you may want to clarify. If you are applying for a position in another city or state, but have plans to relocate, mention that.
• Don’t lie on your resume. If you get caught, there’s no good explanation.
• Don’t format your resume to read like a book.  Use bullets to provide data that highlights your achievements.  If it’s a sea of paragraphs, the reviewer may find it overwhelming, and not read the whole thing.

Follow these easy guidelines so you can focus your energy and resources on landing that dream job!