Why Sending Your Resume is Important

I've had the following 3 scenarios happen more times than you can imagine and all are the wrong way to show interest in an opportunity:

1.  Candidate A calls a Recruiter - sometimes at crazy hours like 4:30am or 10:30pm - if they don't get an answer they hang up and call back and then wait 10 minutes and call back again and again and again, never leaving a voice mail.  When they finally get in touch with the now frustrated recruiter (imagine being on the phone conducting an interview and having the phone beep every few minutes throughout the entire interview) the candidate will say "Hello!  I'm interested in that job you have posted!" - The recruiter will respond "which job?" and the candidate will explain which job and quickly spout off a dozen reasons why they think they're ideal for the role.  The recruiter will inquire "have you submitted your resume to the job order or emailed your resume to me"? and the candidate will invariably reply "no". 

2.  Candidate B sees a job posting they're interested in and emails their resume with nothing in the subject line or in the body of the email.

3.  Candidate C sends an email saying how incredibly interested they are in a position and to please call them as soon as possible but they do not include their resume.

Why scenario 1 is an inappropriate way to show interest in a position:
a.  Because recruiters spend all day on the phone, calling them back every 5 minutes until you get an answer will only cause frustration on the Recruiter's part and immediately create a poor impression regardless of what your qualifications turn out to be.
b.  Calling a Recruiter without first providing your resume leaves the recruiter flying blind.  We cannot consider you for a position unless we can see your job history and experience in front of us.

Why scenario 2 is an inappropriate way to show interest in a position:
a.  Sending your resume with nothing in the subject line will likely get your email immediately deleted without being opened.  With all the spam / viruses being sent via email businesses caution internal employees to not open emails that look "suspect".
b.  Sending your resume with nothing in the body of the email lacks preparedness.  How is the recruiter to know which position you have an interest in or what is the best method and time to get in touch with you?

Why scenario 3 is an inappropriate way to show interest in a position:
a.  Sending an email IS a good start to bringing your interest to the attention of the recruiter but by not providing your resume you leave the recruiter at a disadvantage.  How is the recruiter to know if you are qualified for the position you are interested in?

Reasons why not including a resume will eliminate you from consideration:
1.  There is no way for the recruiter to know if you are currently working for one of their clients and particularly the client the position you're interested in is for.
2.  There is no way for the recruiter to know if you are even remotely qualified for any of the openings they have.
3.  It shows very poor preparation on your part, which could be an indicator of future issues with preparation and follow-through.
4.  A typical industry recruiter will be trying to fill multiple openings for multiple clients.  Most industry recruiters receive hundreds of emails a week and it is additionally likely they are on the phone almost all day every day speaking to clients, candidates, current employees and consultants etc.  We just do not have time to respond to everyone that emails or calls that has not appropriately provided the right information.

Solutions:

• If you call and do not get an answer, leave a voice mail.  If for some reason the recruiter has not called you back within 24 hrs, call back and leave another voice mail if necessary.
• ALWAYS submit your resume via email prior to calling.
• ALWAYS include information in the subject line - ideally indicating what position you are interested in.  (Example:  Resume of Sue Smith for consideration for the LIS PathNet Analyst position.)
• ALWAYS include information in the body of the email.  It doesn't have to be extensive - just a short paragraph will do.  (Example:  Hi, I recently noticed your posting on CareerBuilder for a LIS PathNet Analyst.  I believe my qualifications are a good fit.  My resume is attached.  You can reach me at 222-555-1234 weekdays after 4pm Eastern.  Thank you, Sue Smith)

Following these suggestions can greatly increase your chances for consideration. 



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