How to Submit a Resume for a Job

Have you ever handed in what you thought was a perfect resume and then never heard anything positive from it? Perhaps you got one of those, ‘Thank you, but…’ letters or maybe nothing at all. Did you know that most companies are very particular on how you submit your resume? Here are some hints about how to submit your resume and get it read.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. When you are answering an employment ad or posting, make sure you read and clearly understand how they want your resume submitted. Some will give a fax number or an email address for it to be forwarded electronically and some will just give an address for you to mail it to. Some will list all three. Follow their instructions for your submission because they won’t receive it any other way.

2. If you decide to send it electronically or by fax, and there is also an option to mail it, you should follow up your electronic submission with a hard copy by mail. Include a letter that states that this is a follow-up to the resume you forward earlier and make sure you say how you sent it.

3. Always include a cover letter with your resume even if you send it electronically. See the eHow article "How to Prepare a Resume Cover Letter." Never forward the resume without one.

4. If you are delivering it in person, ask to speak with the person who should be receiving it. This gives you an extra opportunity for that “first impression” and gets you acquainted with both, the business and the employer.

5. Don’t send a second revised resume because that gives a bad impression to the employer, one that says you don’t have a good self-image of yourself and are not confident in your presentation of yourself. Self-image is extremely important.