Where Does Your Resume Go?

Does it hook up with socks missing from the dryer?

An article on CNNMoney.com, “Job Application Black Hole,” by Jessica Dickler started me thinking about the resume “black hole.” Where do they go?  Dickler talks about frustrated job seekers not getting any feedback from prospective employers after submitting an application or resume for an opening. Back in the day, you would send your resume and cover letter via snail mail and hope that it at least landed on the desk of someone at the company. Now we just launch them into cyberspace.
 
I’ve mentioned before that I’m finding the overall experience of job hunting online to be very exasperating.  And If I respond to an ad I’m incredibly leery of sending my personal information to just anyone. Last week, when applying for a writing job, I messed up the attaching-the-resume part. It wasn’t until after the fact that I realized I didn’t want to send my Word doc version that includes address and phone, etc. As an afterthought, I also sent a cut-and-paste version with only an email address. Then I contacted the company’s site admin. and asked to delete my first resume. Well, by this time, the potential employer thinks I’m an idiot and I’m worried about being stalked on the ‘Net and in real life. (Not really, but you get the idea.)

Dickler’s article addresses various reasons for not getting feedback when you apply for a job. One of the most frequent occurrences she sites is the sheer volume of resumes that companies now receive - there is no way hiring staff could respond to each one. Another reason for no news is that the company may have filled the position on Day 6, but contracted to run the ad for 30 days.

So throw in all the scam jobs out there, and it’s even tougher to know where or to whom your resume/application goes. I’m sticking to the missing sock theory…

This is a post by Nancy LaFever. You can read more from her at the Centre for Emotional Wellbeing blog.

Comments

[Amy]

I'm uncomfortable replying to Internet ads with any personal information, although I find it's hard land an interview when I don't supply my name, address, phone number, e-mail addy, FaceBook status, or latest Twitter. I might have to rethink my strategy because so far I haven't managed to get any jobs.

[Rhonda]

If I at least take the time to send it, I'd like to at least get some kind of notification that they received it. What ever happened to professional courtesy? Maybe it's on the floor with the other sock.

[uk jobs advice]

These are reallly good advice. However, a "sample" cover letter would have been a nice touch which could then lead to getting an order from the reader to have your firm prepare a "winning" resume.Just a thought for you to consider. :) :)