How to Respond to Posted Jobs

In the modern employment market, where most job searches are done on the Internet, there's a need for a new type of document. The email response precedes the cover letter and resume and has its own important criteria to consider before you hit 'Send.'

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Access to a fax machine
• Email account
• Computer with Internet access

Take the Time to Personalize Responses to Posted Jobs

1. Read job descriptions carefully. Determine what the specific qualifications and requirements are before you respond.

2. Consider calling an employer to determine whether more information is available. Having any extra insight into a position or even just knowing the name of the person your response should be addressed to can make a difference when employers are faced with hundreds of responses.

3. Spend the majority of your time on the cover letter and resume. A response to a job posting in addition to a cover letter can be short. Don't spend more than 15 minutes composing an email response to posted jobs.

Create a Response That Can be Adapted to Numerous Job Postings

4. Use the subject line and opening sentence to inform the reader to what job listing you are responding. Make sure you are specific enough for large companies that may be hiring for multiple positions.

5. Notify them that you have included a cover letter and resume in the body of the email or as an attachment.

6. Demonstrate your knowledge of their expectations and convey a genuine interest in the job when you respond. You have very few words to make yourself stand out. Convince them that you are a contender.

Make Contact With an Employer After an Initial Response

7. Follow up an email with a phone call or fax. Employers receive hundreds of responses to posted jobs and you will probably not receive a response immediately. Take the matter into your own hands by contacting them again.

8. Use a job response to inquire about other positions. Often a company will post an opening for one position, but have many others available. When you respond, let them know that you are available for other positions as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure you have an email address that is professional and doesn't reveal anything about you that potential employers could potentially use (illegally) as a reason for rejection, such as age or sexual orientation.
• Use an online job search site with a tip or FAQ page to help in your job search. Sites such as Monster have a wealth of strategies and tips for networking (see Resources below).
• Many large job search engines will send your cover letter and resume to a company with their own response, thus eliminating the need for you to create an original response letter.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.