So You Want a Job, Huh?: What to be aware of when you submit your resume

Submitting a resume isn't rocket science, it's common sense. Then again, if it was so common there wouldn't be bad job submissions and everyone would be working...

Then again, not everyone thinks before they submit their resume.

Certain things to keep in mind when you are submitting your resume.

1. Actually HAVE a resume! - I don't care what kind of job it is. It could be for carpentry, for a porter position, for a superintendent job, HAVE A RESUME! Your word of mouth means less than a listing of the jobs you've had. It's a way for us to see your work history and a way of verifying if you're right for the job.
2. Always add a contact number in your resume. - If it's an attachment in an email, add a contact number on to your resume. If your resume is copy and pasted on your email, ADD YOUR CONTACT NUMBER! You want a interview, give us a way to contact you.
3. Use Spell Check! - You're using most likely a form of microsoft word, then press the "F7" button and go to town. It's not rocket science.
4. Have it legible. - Don't use a tiny font because it looks cool. If I can't read it, it will go into the garbage. That's it.
5. Put what job you're replying to on the subject line. - If you don't make clear what you want, no one can help you. Generally companies will have more than one position pen and if you don't clarify which one you want, your efforts will lead to the reject pile.
6. Put your past job positions on your resume. - You had a name for your position, so put on.
7. Edit your Experience. - If you double as a carpenter and as a stock broker, I don't need to hear about your carpenter experience if you're submitting a job to JP Morgan Chase, and visa versa if you're submitting for a job as a carpenter. I only want to read on your resume your relevant experience. If your experience impresses me, let me know in the interview why you have gaps, otherwise I don't need a twelve page resume on info when the relevant info would have filled only three.
8. Add a skill list. - I need to see what kind of databases you've worked with. I need to know you type 60. I need to know you know your way around electrical wiring, I need to know if you have any experience with accounting software, and if you do, which ones. If you don't tell me any of these things, I'm going to go to the next guy or gal who does.
9. NEVER put your SS# on your resume. - If they ask for it, let them know you will have it available for them upon hire, otherwise don't give the number out.

Employers vs. Recruiter

There are certain things recruiters look for that employers don't really give a rats ass about. Keep these things in mind when you're submitting your resume.

• Objective and goals: Recruiters (aka. agencies, head hunters, etc.) care about what you put into this field. Potential employers don't really give a damn. Employers want to know you're capable for the job and see you submitting for the job as "your objective is to get the job I'm offering". Recruiters deal with several clients, so this field helps them get you work and them paid.
• To Cover Letter or to Not Cover Letter. - Most employers are too busy to bother reading the cover letter. Unless requested, a cover letter is a formality best sent to the recruiter, however if you're focused on getting a certain price range, your cover letter will be your negotiating price tag. Don't set it to "just enough", always set it in the high range for your field.
• Touching base? - Great with recruitment agencies, good with small companies, bad for big companies. Most often, in large companies, it's the temp or an intern that's sorting through all the resumes. In other words, make your resume count.