Have resume, will apply.
June 26, 2010 10:33 AM Subscribe
How do I distinguish my email application from the unwashed masses who also email applications to Craigslist jobs?
I've got a pretty schnazzy cover letter that I tailor to each application, and I put the text of my cover letter directly into my email and attach my resume. I give three great reasons I'm right for each position, and I have perfectly applicable experience. I think I'm doing what I can with my cover letter and resume, but I don't even get an email back.
I get it. I live in Chicago, and I'm not the only person searching for a job. However, I need help distinguishing myself from the other folks who need a job. What are your best suggestions?
And on a side note: About two weeks ago, one person posted an ad for employer (Hey! I have this experience and am looking for this job! You should hire me!). Should I do this?
I've got a pretty schnazzy cover letter that I tailor to each application, and I put the text of my cover letter directly into my email and attach my resume. I give three great reasons I'm right for each position, and I have perfectly applicable experience. I think I'm doing what I can with my cover letter and resume, but I don't even get an email back.
I get it. I live in Chicago, and I'm not the only person searching for a job. However, I need help distinguishing myself from the other folks who need a job. What are your best suggestions?
And on a side note: About two weeks ago, one person posted an ad for employer (Hey! I have this experience and am looking for this job! You should hire me!). Should I do this?
Follow up. Track your prospectives in a spreadsheet and send a short, polite, inquisitive email every two or three business days until you get either a proper brush-off or an interview.
posted by jayCampbell at 10:56 AM on June 26, 2010
posted by jayCampbell at 10:56 AM on June 26, 2010
As someone who has hired via Craigslist, the number of applications for an advertised position is usually extremely overwhelming. God help you if you're applying for any sort of internet job. Most applications are utter shit, too, and I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of employers just lack the energy to reply to them all.
And sadly, there is also a distinct subset of employers who treat Craigslist applicants like chattel and the service itself like some of ethics-free playground for abusing talent - since it's free for employers to post a want ad, they don't feel obligated to go through any sort of proper pre-interview/followup procedure because "time=money" and god forbid they put a little effort into their HR practices. Be thankful these types of employers aren't replying back to you.
Aside from what you are doing, make sure all your relevant contact info is in the email, as well as any keywords for the job itself. When I got around to scheduling interviews, it was frustrating finding the original emails to some of the better candidates.
posted by Wossname at 11:04 AM on June 26, 2010
And sadly, there is also a distinct subset of employers who treat Craigslist applicants like chattel and the service itself like some of ethics-free playground for abusing talent - since it's free for employers to post a want ad, they don't feel obligated to go through any sort of proper pre-interview/followup procedure because "time=money" and god forbid they put a little effort into their HR practices. Be thankful these types of employers aren't replying back to you.
Aside from what you are doing, make sure all your relevant contact info is in the email, as well as any keywords for the job itself. When I got around to scheduling interviews, it was frustrating finding the original emails to some of the better candidates.
posted by Wossname at 11:04 AM on June 26, 2010
I've seen responses to some Craigslist job postings. Sadly, most responses are either totally generic or shocking in terms of the stupidity they display. That sounds really harsh, but when I've seen a lot of these replies I have to wonder what these people are thinking. I've also gotten a couple jobs by replying to listings on Craigslist and more specialized job sites.
What I can advise, based on what's worked for me and from what I've seen from other applicants, is that you keep your cover letter short and to the point. Don't follow some stupid gimmicky formula about why you're awesome and how they can't possibly think anyone else would be better than you. Be unemotional, and speak very briefly about why exactly you are qualified for the job, in terms of what they asked for in the job listing. If it requires specific skills, say that you have those specific skills. That alone will put you well above the majority of most others who respond to those ads.
posted by wondermouse at 11:21 AM on June 26, 2010 [2 favorites]
What I can advise, based on what's worked for me and from what I've seen from other applicants, is that you keep your cover letter short and to the point. Don't follow some stupid gimmicky formula about why you're awesome and how they can't possibly think anyone else would be better than you. Be unemotional, and speak very briefly about why exactly you are qualified for the job, in terms of what they asked for in the job listing. If it requires specific skills, say that you have those specific skills. That alone will put you well above the majority of most others who respond to those ads.
posted by wondermouse at 11:21 AM on June 26, 2010 [2 favorites]
Send your application during working hours - not at 3am.
Attach your CV as a PDF, and pay attention to layout and formatting. This looks a lot better than sending a word document through, in my opinion.
Ensure your 'short' cover letter, is well written, but avoids pretentious language and cliches.
posted by choppyes at 11:35 AM on June 26, 2010
Attach your CV as a PDF, and pay attention to layout and formatting. This looks a lot better than sending a word document through, in my opinion.
Ensure your 'short' cover letter, is well written, but avoids pretentious language and cliches.
posted by choppyes at 11:35 AM on June 26, 2010
Post an ad for your dream job. Check out the resumes and letters you receive and compare them to yours. Consider including specific requirements, like resume in .pdf format, or two references. Notice how many people ignore your requirements. Pay attention to the differences between cover letters. Adjust your strategy accordingly.
posted by knowles at 11:42 AM on June 26, 2010 [5 favorites]
posted by knowles at 11:42 AM on June 26, 2010 [5 favorites]
I've applied for several jobs through Craigslist and that's how I found my current (awesome) job. Here's what has worked for me (apologies for being super long and/or if you're already doing any of these):
1) To be safe, I would include the job posting ID in my email subject line ("Response to Job Posting ID XXX for job title") and again in my cover letter ("In response to job posting ID XXX, I have attached my resume for consideration for the position of job title").
2) My cover letter was broken into three parts:
First paragraph: I am applying for X job, my resume is attached.
Second paragraph: A brief description of your background ("With X years of experience as X, I have worked on projects including A, B, C, and D. A few highlights of my career include:) and then use bullet points to call out three or four projects or responsibilities that are relevant to the position. Again, keep this short.
Third paragraph: Wrap it up. You're extremely interested in the position and would welcome the opportunity to learn more about it, you can be reached at X at their convenience, thank you for your consideration, etc.
3) I think objective statements are a waste of space in a resume. Instead, I included a brief bio statement on the first page underneath my name and contact info: "Writer and Editor with X years of experience in A, B, and C. Past clients include A, B, and C." Yes, all of that information was further down in my resume, but this created an image of me and my experience/skills upon first glance. Also helpful if, as MattD said, the employer isn't going to read your cover letter.
4) Be sure to use a "professional" email account as your contact. You wouldn't believe how many applications we used to get from "JediMasterMax" or other similar names. (I am sure you're not doing this.)
Good luck! Keep applying and refining your resume and cover letter. It will pay off.
posted by janekate at 12:21 PM on June 26, 2010 [6 favorites]
1) To be safe, I would include the job posting ID in my email subject line ("Response to Job Posting ID XXX for job title") and again in my cover letter ("In response to job posting ID XXX, I have attached my resume for consideration for the position of job title").
2) My cover letter was broken into three parts:
First paragraph: I am applying for X job, my resume is attached.
Second paragraph: A brief description of your background ("With X years of experience as X, I have worked on projects including A, B, C, and D. A few highlights of my career include:) and then use bullet points to call out three or four projects or responsibilities that are relevant to the position. Again, keep this short.
Third paragraph: Wrap it up. You're extremely interested in the position and would welcome the opportunity to learn more about it, you can be reached at X at their convenience, thank you for your consideration, etc.
3) I think objective statements are a waste of space in a resume. Instead, I included a brief bio statement on the first page underneath my name and contact info: "Writer and Editor with X years of experience in A, B, and C. Past clients include A, B, and C." Yes, all of that information was further down in my resume, but this created an image of me and my experience/skills upon first glance. Also helpful if, as MattD said, the employer isn't going to read your cover letter.
4) Be sure to use a "professional" email account as your contact. You wouldn't believe how many applications we used to get from "JediMasterMax" or other similar names. (I am sure you're not doing this.)
Good luck! Keep applying and refining your resume and cover letter. It will pay off.
posted by janekate at 12:21 PM on June 26, 2010 [6 favorites]
Also, look at the language used in the application and find ways to incorporate that into your resume and cover letter. It may seem obvious, but anyone scanning your application will notice those key words.
posted by janekate at 12:24 PM on June 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by janekate at 12:24 PM on June 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Sorry, *look at the language used in the job listing. Time for coffee.
posted by janekate at 12:29 PM on June 26, 2010
posted by janekate at 12:29 PM on June 26, 2010
I guess I would nth following any explicit directions in the ad. That's usually a test of whether you can follow directions or not. I know it's simple, but you'd be surprised how applicants don't do exactly what the ad says. Also, follow-up is usually good, more by email than by phone.
posted by emkelley at 12:55 PM on June 26, 2010
posted by emkelley at 12:55 PM on June 26, 2010
Hmm.. I got an IT job through CL using a fairly simple cover letter and my regular resume. Once the company identified itself, I sent a hardcopy via postal mail. The owner said that my closing statement in my hardcopy letter was what convinced them, I basically said I was underemployed and desperate for a job that was better suited to my skills. He said my honesty was refreshing. This might only have worked because the owner used to work for the company I was working for, and he hated it as much as I did.
Alas, it was a really crappy job. I was doing a $30/hr job for $14.50, and working 60 hours a week to fix things that the old, incompetent IT person (who was supposedly on the way out) kept breaking. Alas, she was the owner's sister-in-law. You know where this is heading. I only lasted 4 months before the inlaw outmaneuvered me. Blood is thicker than water (or money, apparently).
posted by charlie don't surf at 1:06 PM on June 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Alas, it was a really crappy job. I was doing a $30/hr job for $14.50, and working 60 hours a week to fix things that the old, incompetent IT person (who was supposedly on the way out) kept breaking. Alas, she was the owner's sister-in-law. You know where this is heading. I only lasted 4 months before the inlaw outmaneuvered me. Blood is thicker than water (or money, apparently).
posted by charlie don't surf at 1:06 PM on June 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Follow the job posting instructions exactly. When I post a job to CL I ask for a few specific things simply to make it easy to filter out the people who won't follow directions. Things like specific email subject, daytime phone number, best times to reach them, etc. Makes it really easy to get down to a manageable number of candidates.
One of the things I ask for is No Attachments. Not even your resume. It's going to take me enough time to go through hundreds of emails without having to open another file for every one, so consider putting your resume in the body of the email. That way they'll see your qualifications faster.
Unless of course they ask for your resume as an attachment. In which case make sure you send a properly formatted PDF (or other format, but only if they ask for another format) that's easy to read. Open it on someone else's computer to be sure it comes across correctly.
Don't try to be too clever. You say you have a "a pretty schnazzy cover letter" but is that really true? Has it gone past schnazzy to schmaltzy? Either way I'd consider changing it since it has consistently not found you work.
What type of job are you looking for? That can dramatically change the advice.
posted by Ookseer at 7:06 PM on June 26, 2010
One of the things I ask for is No Attachments. Not even your resume. It's going to take me enough time to go through hundreds of emails without having to open another file for every one, so consider putting your resume in the body of the email. That way they'll see your qualifications faster.
Unless of course they ask for your resume as an attachment. In which case make sure you send a properly formatted PDF (or other format, but only if they ask for another format) that's easy to read. Open it on someone else's computer to be sure it comes across correctly.
Don't try to be too clever. You say you have a "a pretty schnazzy cover letter" but is that really true? Has it gone past schnazzy to schmaltzy? Either way I'd consider changing it since it has consistently not found you work.
What type of job are you looking for? That can dramatically change the advice.
posted by Ookseer at 7:06 PM on June 26, 2010
If you memail your application i'd be happy to give specific suggestions. I was in recruitment for 7 years.
posted by saradarlin at 8:04 PM on June 26, 2010
posted by saradarlin at 8:04 PM on June 26, 2010
It depends on the job as to what tack you take. Is your career path generic or specific? If it is generic then it probably would help more to tell what kind of person you are. Experienced secretaries are a dime a dozen but a motivated person with a mild personality would be highly desired. If your career path is specific include good references with industry knowledge. For that you are going to have to network within your career path. If you network successfully the jobs will come to you.
posted by JJ86 at 6:17 AM on June 27, 2010
posted by JJ86 at 6:17 AM on June 27, 2010
I might also recommend that if your job hunt is overly generic it isn't helping you too much. Try to specialize. We have a temp secretary that has absolutely no knowledge of engineering. The simplest concepts about construction contracts are difficult for her. Standard industry jargon is not in her vocabulary. If she had any previous experience about construction work and engineering she would be an amazing asset.
posted by JJ86 at 6:25 AM on June 27, 2010
posted by JJ86 at 6:25 AM on June 27, 2010
This is in the best of craigslist for a reason: Tips for applying to a job from Craigslist. Following this basic format for cover letters/emails I've gotten several interviews from Craigslist jobs and been hired twice for freelance jobs and once for a permanent gig. In a few interviews they've even mentioned that my cover letter really made me stand out. Definitely worth a read.
posted by Fuego at 11:26 PM on June 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by Fuego at 11:26 PM on June 27, 2010 [3 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
However, consider shorter cover letters -- I like them very concise; ultimately your resume has to speak for itself, and too much verbiage in the cover gets me to a lady-doth-protest-too-much feeling.
Sometimes people won't even see the cover -- when I had 40 or 50 apps in my inbox I used attachment grabbers to pull out the resumes for printing and efficient review, skipping cover letters.
posted by MattD at 10:42 AM on June 26, 2010