Responding to job postings online..

[buck]

Long story short, I am looking for a job, my last jobs required no response to ads of any sort. I am happy with my resume, but could use some suggestions for responding to ads on Dice,craigslist,monster,etc...
Do I need a cover letter on top of a email and resume? Is the response via email as good as a cover letter?
I will be looking for a tech support position.

Thanks very much for any help.

 

[purbeast0]

usually following the directions on the job description will help you ...

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
usually following the directions on the job description will help you ...

Thanks, i thought those directions were for someone else besides me.

Missing directions here

 

[buck]

Anyone with a good suggestion that isnt bein sarcastic?

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: buck

Anyone with a good suggestion that isnt bein sarcastic?

i wasnt being sarcastic. since there aren't any directions on that listing, and there is an email address on there ... you probably only have 1 option to contact them don't you?

i'm just as to what you are so about.

 

[shopbruin]

unless they found your resume and contacted you, you better send a cover letter.

 

[Reckoner]

Buck,

Just attach your resume and put a cover letter in the body of your email to them.

 

[Feldenak]

I always used the listed opening on job sites (Dice, Monster, AJB, etc...) as starting points. If a company posted an opening then I would head to that company's website, get any/all relevant info then contact the company directly through their website or physical address.

 

[fredhe12]

Buck,

Here are some things I've found useful when responding to job postings online:

1. Always, always, always include a cover letter. A resume is just a collection of experience and accomplishments. A cover letter gives the reviewer an idea of who you are and how you would fit in. All things being equal, a better fit will usually get the job.

2. Include at least your cover letter in the body of the email. Some people don't open attachments, and others can't receive them. You may also want to include your resume in the body as well. Personally, I do both - in the body and as attachments.

3. Convert your cover and resume into PDF. Some people request MS Word docs, but PDF is pretty ubiquitous these days, and it's easier to preserve formatting in your resume.

4. Most rules about good offline resumes and job searching also apply online, e.g. try to find out a name to address it to, do research on the company and position, follow up, etc.

5. See if there are other ways to submit, maybe fax, mail, etc., and send it a couple of ways. You never know which method a company favors, and if one gets lost or ignored you have a backup.

6. THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE - BE PERSISTENT!!!

Hope all this helps. Good luck.

 

[IdioticBuffoon]

Originally posted by: fredhe12
Buck,

Here are some things I've found useful when responding to job postings online:

1. Always, always, always include a cover letter. A resume is just a collection of experience and accomplishments. A cover letter gives the reviewer an idea of who you are and how you would fit in. All things being equal, a better fit will usually get the job.

2. Include at least your cover letter in the body of the email. Some people don't open attachments, and others can't receive them. You may also want to include your resume in the body as well. Personally, I do both - in the body and as attachments.

3. Convert your cover and resume into PDF. Some people request MS Word docs, but PDF is pretty ubiquitous these days, and it's easier to preserve formatting in your resume.

4. Most rules about good offline resumes and job searching also apply online, e.g. try to find out a name to address it to, do research on the company and position, follow up, etc.

5. See if there are other ways to submit, maybe fax, mail, etc., and send it a couple of ways. You never know which method a company favors, and if one gets lost or ignored you have a backup.

6. THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE - BE PERSISTENT!!!

Hope all this helps. Good luck.

:thumbsup:

 

[Sentinel]

Good advice, I have been responding to postings on craigslist- so far no responses back. I'll try your suggestions as well.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: fredhe12
Buck,

Here are some things I've found useful when responding to job postings online:

1. Always, always, always include a cover letter. A resume is just a collection of experience and accomplishments. A cover letter gives the reviewer an idea of who you are and how you would fit in. All things being equal, a better fit will usually get the job.

2. Include at least your cover letter in the body of the email. Some people don't open attachments, and others can't receive them. You may also want to include your resume in the body as well. Personally, I do both - in the body and as attachments.

3. Convert your cover and resume into PDF. Some people request MS Word docs, but PDF is pretty ubiquitous these days, and it's easier to preserve formatting in your resume.

4. Most rules about good offline resumes and job searching also apply online, e.g. try to find out a name to address it to, do research on the company and position, follow up, etc.

5. See if there are other ways to submit, maybe fax, mail, etc., and send it a couple of ways. You never know which method a company favors, and if one gets lost or ignored you have a backup.

6. THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE - BE PERSISTENT!!!

Hope all this helps. Good luck.

Thanks to you and the others.

 

[bigrash]

Originally posted by: fredhe12
Buck,

Here are some things I've found useful when responding to job postings online:

1. Always, always, always include a cover letter. A resume is just a collection of experience and accomplishments. A cover letter gives the reviewer an idea of who you are and how you would fit in. All things being equal, a better fit will usually get the job.

2. Include at least your cover letter in the body of the email. Some people don't open attachments, and others can't receive them. You may also want to include your resume in the body as well. Personally, I do both - in the body and as attachments.

3. Convert your cover and resume into PDF. Some people request MS Word docs, but PDF is pretty ubiquitous these days, and it's easier to preserve formatting in your resume.

4. Most rules about good offline resumes and job searching also apply online, e.g. try to find out a name to address it to, do research on the company and position, follow up, etc.

5. See if there are other ways to submit, maybe fax, mail, etc., and send it a couple of ways. You never know which method a company favors, and if one gets lost or ignored you have a backup.

6. THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE - BE PERSISTENT!!!

Hope all this helps. Good luck.

I agree with all these points except for #3.

 

[fredhe12]

That's fine. It's a preference thing for me. Word does funky things sometimes to the formatting, PDF eliminates that.

As I said, some employers specifically request Word. So that's what they get.

The types of jobs that I have applied in the past are such that I'm certain that PDF won't be a problem. When in doubt, I've sent both (they're typically small files) and referenced the fact that I've done so for the recipients convenience.

Another tip, I usually include my cover and resume both in one file. Makes it easier than splitting them up and keeps them together when being forwarded.