Best Way to Send Resumes? Fax? Email? Mail? In Person?

Question

I'm trying to get a job right now---a permanent one because I just graduated (finally!), but I don't know what's the best way to send in a resume in response to job ads. When the employer says you can fax, email, or mail it in, which is the best way to send it to catch their attention? I'd assume email, but I was thinking a million other people will send it that way, and I want to make sure I stand out.

Also, if there's a job that I'm super interested in, should I just show up at the place, resume in hand, ready for an interview? I understand that people are busy and such, and I may have to schedule an appointment, but is it a good idea? Will it show that I am super interested? Or is it annoying?

PLEASE HELP!!!!! I'd be especially grateful for responses from HR employees. Thanks!

Answer 1

Okay - a windy reply from a 20 year HR person...

First - register on all of the major job boards: Monster, Careerbuilder, Hotjobs, etc.

Register with at least three personnel agencies.

Second - We REALLY prefer email resumes. The cover note you send tells us a lot about you; and it's easy for us to open, scan and decide if you are worth saving.

Third - It's not how you apply, but how soon you apply. Generally we only look at the first week's response and wait until that is screened before dipping furthur into the pot of responses.

Fourth - if you show up in person, it is annoying - and it's most likely that you will be told to just drop off your resume anyway. Our schedules are usually VERY tight and we're not going to screw up our schedule with unexpected walk-ins. I have colleagues who it PO's so much that they have been known to put those resumes on the bottom of the pile.

Fifth - Some free advice...

Do NOT put an objective on your resume. It will screen you out of more jobs than it gets you. An objective is a selfish statement and is YOUR wish list.

You only have about 30 seconds to get our attention - Learn to use a "value statement" instead of an objective. As you get more experience this becomes your "hook" to get us to read the rest of your resume.

It goes something like this:

Value Offered

A bright, consientious xyz graduate with experince in A, B, C and the demonstrated ability to blah, blah, blah.

Get the idea? It's a marketing statement for yourself.

Finally - make your font veranda or arial and no smaller than 10. We read a lot of reumes and sometimes the creative ones are left until last. :)

Hope this helped... good luck in your career search and congratulations on your degree!

Answer 2

Do a little homework before you snail-mail your resume on fine stationery. Learn about the company and have a job in mind from checking their Web site and other information (library, online searches, news, etc.)

Then get the name of the HR manager in charge of recruiting or the name of the manager who could become your boss. This may be difficult, but it's not impossible--do it, don't give up. Address your letter and envelop to that person by name--not just by title--and include the title after the name.

Explain in your letter why you are a good candidate for a position at that particular company--relate your skills to something you learned about the company's business focus. For example: "I read in the news that you're planning a new division to create a product line for babies. I studied childhood development and worked part time at a day care while going to college." Of course, what you say must be true.

Include your resume with your cover letter, but do not staple them together. Refer to your enclosed resume in the cover letter. Mail them--do not show up without an appointment.

It's a bit of work, but that's what employers look for--people who are thorough in doing their work. This will set you apart from all e-mail and fax candidates and make a superb impression.

I hope you get a job you love!

Answer 3

Person is good depending on company. What I mean by that is some companies are like you said busy. And if you dont actually speak to sombody doing the hiring, well that person may just chuck the resume. You could do both (in person & fax) that you make sure they get it. Fax is better then email, because companies get alot of emails so some times they put off reading them if its not frome a familiar place. I see resumes sent to my email and I just skip them (most of the time) to look at business propositions. The ones that are faxed I look at. Dont ask me why, but people seem to look at faxes.

Answer 4

If the options are fax, e-mail, or via mail, then mail it.

It takes a little longer, but a nice stationary goes a long way.

Do not drop it off in person if that is not one of the options. You are just going to irritate the person at the front desk, because you can't follow directions. You should never make a cold call if they're not listing that as an option.

Faxes are hard to read, and e-mail is rather impersonal. Only e-mail it if you can make your document really pop, and show off your computer savvy.

Answer 5

Alot of companies now have software that takes electronic resumes and filters or searches them to place in categories for current and future openings. With this in mind, I would always send an electronic resume to the corporate HR Department stating clearly what type of position you are seeking. Need an email? Search on career builder or monster for the compnaies your are interested in and find out the appropriate emails or links to the external system the company uses. One of the best ways to get the correct job for yourself is through networking and being open to head hunters.

Answer 6

Never send by fax unless the company says to. Mail it on nice paper and envelope with a cover letter and ask for an appointment.

Doing it in person usually does not help since it will be taken by a receptionist.

Answer 7

I would love to be in your shoes, my college career ended in 2000
after getting in argument with my grandmother over a long distance phone bill where I was kicked out on the street in the middle of a NE winter. Nothing against you personaly, but I truly believe there is nothing a (most) woman won't do out of spite. I also think HR dept. are run by women but I'll spare the comments and answer your question. Its been my experience that faxing really impresses employers. You can go to Kinkos and do it for a dollar if your economically deprived like me. Also when you fax, print something to the point and in reference to words in the job description on that fax piece of paper.
I'm not sure about your other question.

Answer 8

A fax is good, mail is a bit better, but in person is much better. That way, it shows that you are confident enough to give them your resume from your hand, you are openng yourself (not just your resume!) to your possible employers, and you are giving off a first impression (which hopefully will be a good one).

Answer 9

Well if they are asking you to send it a certain way then i would send it the way they ask! Sometimes they don't tell you the address, the phone number, or even the name of the company to deliver it in person! i have come across this myself alot! I They are giving you an option i would deliver it personally ! GOOD LUCK!

Answer 10

Person is best, all others will do just fine tho!