Unbeatable Resumes (70 page)

Don't hold your breath, waiting for this kind of thing to happen. But it does happen often enough for you to consider sending your résumé and making a phone call three or four times over a period of four to five weeks. After that time, if you still haven't found a job and you remain interested in the company, send the résumé every month or so.

Sending your résumé via e-mail or snail mail isn't the only way to get it into the hands of someone who will ask to interview you. Here are some of the more imaginative ways I've seen candidates deliver their résumés:

Sent via FedEx to the employer

Waited in the company's lobby so as to hand it to the hiring person as he or she passes

Had it delivered along with a bottle of the person's favorite wine, a gift certificate for a dinner, or another token of appreciation (i.e., a book on golf, fishing, or other hobby)

Packaged so that a bunch of colored sticky stars fell out when opened, along with a cover letter with “HIRE A STAR” on top

Put under the windshield wiper of the hiring authority's car

Printed on a slightly oversized poster board

Other candidates have been similarly creative. For example, one candidate showed up at the hiring authority's favorite Starbucks in the morning; another rode up in the elevator with the person on the way to the office; yet another waited in the lobby for the individual when he left in the evening or arrived in the morning (do this only once—you don't want Security to escort you out). In each case, they introduce themselves and hand-delivered the résumés. Several candidates have called the senior administrative person of the hiring authority (we used to call them secretaries) and asked about the executive's likes, dislikes, and preferences before sending the résumés. One of my candidates had a unique approach. She would buy a pair of baby shoes, put one in a box along with her résumé, and send it to the hiring authority. A note in the box stated, “Just let me get my foot in the door.” When she was called in for an interview, she would bring the other shoe with her, and the conversation would always get off on the “right foot.”

You have to be careful, however. Some candidates, unfortunately, go a little over the top and it backfires. One man had his résumé delivered by a fellow in a gorilla suit. Another had his résumé delivered along with a singing telegram. They got attention, but it irritated the hiring authority and, needless to say, the candidates did not get interviewed.

In short, there are probably a limitless number of attention-getting ways of delivering your résumé. Whatever technique might separate you from the hordes and get you that interview is worth considering, as long as it doesn't go overboard. Frankly, you have nothing to lose. As Babe Ruth said, “Don't let the fear of striking out get in your way.”

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Having completed this book, you should know and follow these ten guidelines for writing unbeatable résumés:

1. You'll never overestimate the value of your résumé.
You realize that your résumé is a tool to help you get the most important event of the job search—the interview.

2. You know that your résumé is going to get initially read in less than a minute.
So, your résumé is short, direct, and to the point.

3. You know how many résumés the hiring authority is reviewing.
You are going to have to do many other activities
to separate yourself from the pack and augment the impact of your résumé.

4. You know that your résumé will be reviewed and screened by many people who don't know what they're looking for.
This is another good reason to keep your résumé simple but direct.

5. You write your résumé clearly and concisely with straightforward content.
Your résumé should be written so a high school senior can understand it.

6. Your résumé format is attractive and encourages people to read it.
Your résumé should be pleasant to look at, catch the reader's eye, and draw him or her into reading it, whether you are providing it online or as a hard copy.

7. Your cover letter is short and gets read.
Realize the limited value of a cover letter so when you write one, it has impact.

8. You customize a number of different résumés.
Customize your résumé for specific positions you are applying for. One size does not fit all!

9. You are aware of the proper length of and the items that should appear on your résumé.
Also know what employers and hiring authorities like and dislike on a résumé.

10. You have the right “strategy” for your résumé.
Realize your résumé is simply a tool and part of an overall strategy of getting face-to-face interviews. You now know what to do to get that face-to-face interview.

Good Luck! And God Bless!

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Our thanks to Louis Gasper, who contributed much of the information for this section.

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Our thanks go to guest contributor Kathryn Troutman, who provided the advice given in this section. Kathryn Troutman is president of The Resume Place, Inc., a consulting firm for individuals seeking positions with the federal government,
www.resume-place.com
.