Paper Resumes? How Nineties

I was reading some advice blogs about looking for a job. With the economy the way it is, they have been unusually active. One comment asked the blog’s author what kind of paper would best impress the employer. Apparently, the place this person was applying specifically requested no fax, no email — paper resumes only.

This question has yet to receive an answer. Probably because no one currently looking for a job uses paper resumes. They served their purpose well once upon a time, but the world has moved past them.

If your business is still requesting paper applications, then you are creating extra work for yourself. Whereas I could school you on the environment and the unnecessary waste paper creates when you have a perfectly good electronic alternative, I won’t. I prefer to point out that requesting hard copies of resumes creates a huge stack that is unwieldy and difficult to organize.

One of the niceties of using computers is the quick, efficient organization of documents. After perusing the file on your computer, you can easily shift the unqualified candidates to one folder on your desktop, the maybes to another, and the definites to a third. Whereas this may seem like no big advantage compared to doing the same with paper applications, consider the state of the economy one more time. Your one job listing will produce triple the response you received one year ago. The stacks of paper will get quite huge.

So, even if you don’t care about the environment, going paperless is still the best idea.

Spending Your Ad Dollars Wisely

You’re down an employee and are therefore less productive than you were before. In turn, there’s a risk your profits may fall if you don’t fill that position quickly; and even then it will take you a few weeks to get a new person in and trained; and at least another few weeks to get that person up to the level of the employee you just lost. It may be just me, but this is not the time to throw a few thousand dollars into job ads. All that will do is compound your problem.

Too many small businesses think that taking an ad out in the local paper or placing a listing on an expensive job board will deliver the best candidate quickly and efficiently. But will that really deliver the results you so desperately need? Remember, the “return to profitability” clock is ticking.

An advertising agency will tell you that a broadcast message is less effective than a targeted one. Placing an ad for a local dealership on the ABC movie of the week will not net optimum results. Nor will placing an ad for the latest greatest chick flick generate great results if it’s placed in the middle of a fly fishing show.

There’s plenty of alternatives these days that allow you to root out the best possible candidates for your particular job for the least amount of money. There’s plenty of free sites and cheap local circulars that will reach the right person. It’s a lot more beneficial for you to spend an hour researching these avenues than spending weeks training a person who may not enhance your business.

Six Reasons to show a Candidate the Door…

You’ve looked at a dozen resumes for the same position.  They’re all qualified, and they’re all coming in to interview. 

First impressions are all-important. I’ve seen too many applicants who are great on paper blow their interview by making easily-avoidable mistakes.  Here are some red flags for any employers interviewing more than one candidate.  If they make these easily-avoidable mistakes, it may be time to show them the door!

1. BEING LATE:  I know they’ve heard this an infinite number of times, but it is still the most important rule!  Being late for an interview shows that a candidate is irresponsible or not serious about the job/company.  An applicant should get directions beforehand, check traffic, leave early, and if for some reason they ARE late, they should call the office/interviewer and ask to reschedule.

2. INAPPROPRIATE CLOTHING:  Also sounds like a no-brainer, right?  You’d be surprised.  Even if your work place is casual, an interviewee should dress nicely!!  No tank tops, no flip-flops, and no jeans!

3. WINGING IT:  It happens ALL the time.  Interviewees don’t even bother to look up the company they are applying to, or even worse, the position they want!  Knowing who is interviewing you makes a great impression.  Look for someone who knows some key facts about your company. This helps prove how interested they are in working for you. 

4. DANGEROUS SMALL TALK:  No politics, no religion, no hot topics.  The easiest way to turn someone off is to offend them.  Also, watch out for someone who treats you too casually.  You’re not their roommate from college, you’re a potential employer.  They should treat you with respect, and prove they are a professional who will be an asset to your company.

5. BAD-MOUTHING PAST EMPLOYERS: I have interviewed several applicants who, when asked about recent job history, have trashed the last company they worked for.  This makes a terrible impression on an interviewer!  It sounds childish and vindictive!  There is usually more to this story, more you don’t want to find out about.

6. ASSUMING YOU ALREADY HAVE THE JOB: Unless I tell an interviewee that the position is theirs, they should not assume anything!  This means not asking about salary and benefits until I bring it up first.  Be gracious!  I am looking for confidence, not cockiness!

A few more interview pet peeves!
-Not having a resume to look at!! An applicant should bring two or three copies of a resume to the interview, then even if there are several people conducting the interview, we will be able to look at their qualifications.
-To Interviewees: Brush your teeth before you leave!  Don’t eat on the way, and DO NOT CHEW GUM IN THE INTERVIEW!
-I love it when a candidate SMILES!  We know you’re nervous but try and smile at us once in a while.  We might return the favor.