5 Common Resume Misconceptions

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An earlier comment raises a good point: if the company's name is withheld from the job posting, how can you research anything about that company?? I also would like to know; which is correct, to suggest a followup in the cover letter, or not to suggest a followup? I don't want the company to think I'm not really that interested.....but several comments here (from the people hiring) seem to say, "please don't bother us", we'll call you. I appreciate that they're busy, but....any dufus can just NOT followup, it takes someone whose at least somewhat interested to even take the time. Let's have some more definitive answers on that question please.

Coene S of NM 5:06PM December 13, 2011

I JUST READ an different article that stated following up is not helpful. I can tell you this is true. I wish the EXPERTS would get together on what is beneficial in the job search.

S. of NC 6:27PM November 21, 2011

Great advice! As a recruiter, this is basically what I always tell my candidates. In fact, they should research how to write a winning resume using information such as this BEFORE they create their resume.

Marilyn Emanuel of TX 1:39PM October 11, 2011

I actually think it would be fine to cold call the hiring manager. I've hired a few people during my career, and I actually think that someone who is proactive in their job search deserves a few minutes of my time.
If someone called me and said "I sent in my resume and was very interested in the open position, can I have two minutes of your time?", I'd have no problem with that. If the conversation went well, I could then call their references and/or schedule an interview.
Not everyone has connections to get a job. I've seen plenty of people get jobs through nepotism and they prove to be mind numbingly incompetent. There are a lot of people out there looking for work who have strong credentials but may not know the right people. I think for a hiring manager to take a few minutes out of their day to speak to someone could be mutually beneficial.

bob of CA 10:08PM August 17, 2011

The silliest rule that I have seen is the one that says, (Write an active resume by telling the things that you have accomplished on your jobs. For example, I saved my company $250,000 by figuring out a new way to mop the floor at the Skunk-in- a-Blanket restaurant.) Face it, most people would find it difficult to save $5 a year at their jobs and especially someone fresh out of school. The closest that I ever came to saving a company any money was at a hamburger place while taking out the trash one night, I discovered a box of coffee in the dumpster where some employee was stealing stuff and picking it up after closing. I went back the next summer to get a job, and they told me that they couldn´t hire me again. The main rule is probably that you can´t win no matter what you do.

Kenneth Casper of KY 9:06AM August 15, 2011

I agree with Jane of IL. In my career of hiring hundreds of people, less then a handful caught me at just the right time of day and capture my attention sufficiently and quickly enough that I invited them in. It is a waste of your time to try and waste the time of the hiring manager. That said, if you are able to network with someone who has a relationship with the hiring manager, using that person as a reference is the way to go. I trust people I know. If they had a beer with you at a networking event and liked you, then recommended I speak with you, now I'll take time. But don't cold call me. I get enough of those from salespeople all day long. Your cold call selling yourself is just another 'copy toner' call to me.

Carl of KS 7:20PM July 29, 2011

Nowadays, when you see ads in the newspaper for jobs, or online (such as on CraigsList, or even on Career Builder occasionally), the ad often doesn't state the name of the company or any contact information other than an email or fax. Heck, lots don't even tell you the general area of town they're in, which is kind of unfortunate when you live on the north side of town, and find out later they're on the far south side of town. A lot of times, it just says something like, "Hiring immediately for PT receptionist at local real estate office. 20 hours per week. Fax resume to xxx.xxx.xxxx for consideration."
This is somewhat challenging for me, since I'm also a full time student, and so I not only need a part time job, but one that's relatively close by and that fits with my class schedule. And how can I tailor my resume or write a cover letter if I don't know anything at all about the company?

Nikki of TX 2:07PM July 28, 2011

Argh. Even if the posting doesn't discourage contacting the hiring manager to follow up, it's a bad idea, and including the intent to do so in the cover letter is a mark against an applicant. It's an indication that that the applicant isn't considering the hiring manager's time and process to be worth respecting. If you tell me you'll be talking to me whether I plan to or not, I can assure you that I won't be.
By all means research the company, but don't unsolicitedly contact them or announce that you'll be doing so.

Jane of IL 11:53AM July 26, 2011

These are all great points, particularly about following up after submitting an application. Not only should applicants follow-up, I advise they state in their cover letter that they intent to do so within one to two weeks.

Anthony Morrison of TX 11:41PM July 24, 2011