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| human resources peoples; a bit of advice puh-lease? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: May 4 2010, 06:12 AM (280 Views) | |
| A Bleeding Heart | May 4 2010, 06:12 AM Post #1 |
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We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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So, when applying to various jobs in the abyss that is the online application - do you then take it a step further to see if you can find an actual name of a potential supervisor or HR person to personally send your cover letter and resume to? There are a couple of jobs that I've applied for that I just know I have the right skills for and could "wow" them if I was given the chance to interview, but without any contacts, my chances are slim to none, so I'm wondering if I can find a name and email address if it would be useful or annoying that I forwarded along my information. Also, if someone is trying to fill a position "right away" - how long do you think it would take them to start making calls to schedule interivews? Thanks for sharing your wisdom with me! |
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| Little Diva | May 4 2010, 07:34 AM Post #2 |
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You're BANNED!
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I usually do try and find a connection to the company that I have applied to. Sometimes it is easier said than done and can be quite difficult. What I find works though is a really strong cover letter and I try to point to the job they are trying to fill in the letter so that if I am applying to a blank email address, I can do my darndest to get them to look at my resume. I have found that depending on the company, it can take between 5 to 10 days to get a request for an interview. |
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| RHowell | May 4 2010, 07:55 AM Post #3 |
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You're BANNED!
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For my present job, it took 3 weeks between when I submitted and when they called for an interview. I generally try to find an "in" with someone I know there, but I also would be mindful not to thwart their requested process. Many of the online submissions these days go into a filtering system that the corporation is required to use--if you thwart that system by submitting to someone directly, you may be kicking yourself out of the consideration process. |
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| MayaTy02 | May 4 2010, 08:05 AM Post #4 |
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You're BANNED!
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I am in HR and I have a ton of work to do that I'm procrastinating on, so here goes ![]() If it's a large company (Fortune 500 etc), the resumes are likely being dumped into an applicant tracking system that may not even forward on to be reviewed if certain key words aren't there. I hate them personally. I like to see every resume, good or bad. If it's a large company, try to find someone in HR that you can directly send your resume to, or if you know the hiring manager, that's one better. Sometimes you can have success sending it to the VP of the area, because if they like you, they'll push you up the interview ladder, but they also may not even open emails with resumes so be sure you also send it an alternative manner. I get lots of calls from applicants looking to see if I have received their resume. I really hate those calls and will not call you back. I literally am getting upwards of 50 resumes a day right now for ONE position and I don't have time to call everyone to see if I have their resume. I will say though that if someone gets me on the phone, I will look for it and I do typically pay more attention to it, but again, I normally don't even pick up my phone unless i know who it is, but if you're lucky enough to get someone go for it. I am a pretty speedy resume reveiwer and I know what I like, so I normally respond immediately after reviewing a resume with follow up questions or to schedule a phone call. This has been mere minutes in some cases, though often it's within the first day or two. Edited by MayaTy02, May 4 2010, 08:05 AM.
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| headlesshorseman | May 4 2010, 10:24 AM Post #5 |
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You're BANNED!
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I shot this to my friend who is a Food Industry Head hunter... this is what she said.. She is right, the website application process can become the black hole. So, yes try to take it a step further and find a connection on Linked In to someone in that company. If they can walk her resume to the hiring manager or HR person, the more her resume will stand out. As far as calls go, it can take a while. Many HR departments are short staffed these days. If I were out of a job, I would be all over Linked In every day joining new groups, connecting with new people, participating in discussions, etc.... Network, network, network. GOOD LUCK HH
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| A Bleeding Heart | May 4 2010, 01:24 PM Post #6 |
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We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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Thanks so much guys! I'm not unemployed, but I'm looking for a better fit. I actually spent most of the day googling and trying to find out who the right contact person would be. Found out her name and then spent time trying to find out what the right combination of her first and last name would be to make up her email address. I'm a pretty good investigator, if I do say so myself because the email with my cover letter and resume hasn't bounced back yet. I just let her know that I did apply via their website but that I wanted to pass along my information directly to her as well. Hopefully that comes across as "thoughtful" and I look like a "go-getter" instead of "stalkerish" and "over the top". I guess time will tell. But I'm giving myself an A for effort for this one! Thanks guys! You always have such great advice. |
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| MayaTy02 | May 4 2010, 02:00 PM Post #7 |
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You're BANNED!
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one piece of advice, if you do call and get in touch with the HR person, don't be rude I hate it when I get people saying things like "I left you several messages" or "I've been trying to get in touch with you". I always want to say "You know what, more important people are also trying to get in touch with me so you're not last on my list of people to call, you're not even on the list" People who get in touch with me and are very professional and pleasant are the ones i will respond best too (seems like a no brainer but HR is often treated badly by candidates - wrong move)
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| Fish Cheeks | May 4 2010, 07:32 PM Post #8 |
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You're BANNED!
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I've done a fair bit of recruiting and reviewing resumes. Like MayaTy, I am a speedy resume reviewer. I make three piles - yes, no, maybe. I do try to reply to every resume so that people know I did receive it. If the candidate makes my yes pile, I send a different follow-up email with some questions and then based on that reply I will either call the candidate right away or put them in my maybe pile. Personally, I hate it and will not consider someone if they go against the specific request for applying - our ads say no calls, no walk-ins. If you call me and/or walk in, I will not consider you. I know it sounds bitchy, but to me it is a very basic rule-following test. My bosses are very micro-managing and adhering to rules is a big priority. Also, I find it disrespectful of my time. I only have so many hours in a day to get things done and I plan my days very carefully. If I get interrupted to go chit-chat with someone who stopped by (we are a very small company and don't have a gate-keeper), I will not be happy. That being said, sometimes things just take time. There are days when I do not have time to review resumes and so put it off for a few days. Or when I do review resumes and find ones I like, I may not be in the mood to make phone calls so I'll put it off again. Good luck in your job search - I do find that the right matches happen and so if it isn't this one, then keep at it and the right thing will come along!
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