your job-searching gimmick sucks and is kind of creepy by Alison Green on July 16, 2012 In a tight job market like this one, job seekers often start wondering about how they can stand out in a sea of other candidates. And some of them turn to gimmicks—like sending food to a potential employer, or even the old story of sending a resume in a shoe with a note asking to […] Read the full article →
don’t buy a professionally designed resume by Alison Green on June 5, 2012 A reader writes: I was wondering what your thoughts are on super fancy resumes like the ones available from Loft Resumes and other outlets that offer professionally designed and custom typeset resumes. I had a friend on Facebook complaining about them, but he also said a lot of his friends think they are a great way […] Read the full article →
bombarding an employer with unsolicited recommendations can backfire by Alison Green on May 11, 2011 Here’s something that happened recently when I was hiring for an open position: A candidate emailed her resume and cover letter to me. She was borderline-qualified — not a complete stretch but not obviously competitive with some of the other candidates … but that’s the not the interesting part. What’s interesting is that within an […] Read the full article →
should this job-seeker take out a newspaper ad to promote himself? by Alison Green on August 26, 2010 A reader writes: I am thinking about trying to find a way to get myself advertised in a local newspaper. It would be either taking out an ad or finding another way within an opinion section or something of that sort. In this ad I would try to sell myself to local businesses with the […] Read the full article →
gimmicks have no place in the hiring process by Alison Green on August 4, 2010 I want to highlight something that I just posted in response to a comment on yesterday’s post, because I think it’s a message worth repeating more widely. This is in response to a question about using nice paper for your resume or sending it by Priority Mail: The day that I’m giving candidates extra credit for using […] Read the full article →
let’s ring the death knell for postal mail in the hiring process by Alison Green on August 2, 2010 Several people have asked me recently about whether there’s any advantage to sending your resume — or later follow-up — by postal mail. I’m sure there are still some hiring managers out there who would disagree, but I hate postal mail in the hiring process for the following reasons: 1. It takes extra time. I keep […] Read the full article →
being intentionally late to an interview as a strategy by Alison Green on August 14, 2009 A reader writes: I’d like to share a job search tip with you (or at least receive your opinion about it). A resume attempts to showcase past achievements but it doesn’t do much to demonstrate a candidate’s character. So I deliberately call in late to the interview. About a half hour before the interview time, […] Read the full article →
dropping off your resume in person by Alison Green on June 13, 2009 A reader writes: What type of cover letter should you write to go with your resume when you are going to drop off your resume at several different companies? I have several years experience in the loan processing field and want to go to companies in this field and ask if it is ok to […] Read the full article →
should you show up without an appointment? by Alison Green on March 17, 2009 A reader writes: I know you cannot just send in your resume online and expect to get called. It is those applicants that are willing to try new things that might have a chance. I really want this job that was posted online. I have the experience and it would be such a good fit. […] Read the full article →