A Few Thoughts On Looking For A Job
When you are looking for a Job, Jason is the sage. Thus, I normally leave things to the experts. However, since I have been off topic a lot lately, I might as well add a few thoughts about job hunting from an employer's perspective. Over the last couple of weeks, we have been looking for a new legal secretary and a new law clerk. After wading through 50+ resumes and a bunch of interviews, here are a few of my thoughts:
1. Do not just email your resume -
I am a little old fashioned and like to see paper resumes. However, I have come to realize that the hours I spent sending resumes in law school have given way to the convenience of sending hundreds of resumes with a few clicks of the mouse. The convenience, however, leads some to get a little sloppy. Not sending a cover letter is bad form and may lead to a resume being deleted before being read.
A cover letter is also necessary if one is applying for a position which requires communication skills (about 90% of all jobs). The cover letter provides an opportunity to demonstrate that you can communicate in writing. Resumes are usually little more than bullet points and do not let an employer know how well a person can write. A short cover letter - 6 to 8 sentences - at least gives an employer some idea. I have had several situations in which a well written cover letter got an interview for someone who had relatively little on their resume.
ps. A one liner does not count as a cover letter. I received one recently where the entire cover letter was "I need $36,000 a year". I deleted the email because the person showed poor form. Translated, the sentence said - "I can't be bothered to write a letter or inquire about the pay rate - so call me if this pays enough."
Money is an awkward for everyone in job hunting. I think it would be best to place salary requirements at the end of the resume if you want to state them. A salary demand higher than I was planning on paying may not disqualify a candidate if the resume is interesting. Likewise, I would have no problem with a person who has provided a well written paragraph or two adding "I would like to discuss the possibility of working with your company. However, my salary requirements would be at least $36,000. " It lets me know that the person understand business etiquette and will be able deal with clients without offending them.
2. Proof Read
Always take time to proof read both the resume and the cover letter. Listing attention to detail as a skill does not cut it if there are typos galore. Have a friend proof read it too.
3. Align your objectives with the job
I have never been a big fan of objective statements on resumes. Most of them sound a little cliché. "I want a job where I am valued and can use my skills to benefit the company." Hopefully, that is everyone's objective. What will be a negative, however, is when the objective on the resume does not match the job. If the applicant's goal is to be in management or sales - why is he applying for a legal secretary position? Make sure that your objective statement and the job are consistent.
4. Be prepared
One of the best things is to be prepared. An applicant should always bring extra copies of her resume and other things that might be of interest to the employer. If she is interviewing with a group of people, this ensures that everyone has one. If the last person she interviewed with forgot to pass your resume on to the next person, voilà - here it is. Looking prepared is always a plus.
Last week I interviewed law students at BYU. Due to a rush project the night before I did not get the resumes printed off and was using my laptop to review them during the interviews. Each the BYU students I interviewed had a spare resume and offered it when they saw me looking at my computer. It left me with the idea that each would be well prepared if asked to work for us this summer.
5. Be a little formal
We have become very casual country. If in doubt, error on the side of formality. Being a little over-dressed is better than being under-dressed. Don't walk in chewing gum. Avoid using short names - or first names for that matter - unless you have been properly introduced. Some people like formality and it is a little embarrassing when you call Edward "Ed" when he goes by Edward.
When the economy was on steroids bad job hunting manners may not cause much harm. However, with the economy cooling down, it is unwise to do anything that might lead to being overlooked.
1. Do not just email your resume -
I am a little old fashioned and like to see paper resumes. However, I have come to realize that the hours I spent sending resumes in law school have given way to the convenience of sending hundreds of resumes with a few clicks of the mouse. The convenience, however, leads some to get a little sloppy. Not sending a cover letter is bad form and may lead to a resume being deleted before being read.
A cover letter is also necessary if one is applying for a position which requires communication skills (about 90% of all jobs). The cover letter provides an opportunity to demonstrate that you can communicate in writing. Resumes are usually little more than bullet points and do not let an employer know how well a person can write. A short cover letter - 6 to 8 sentences - at least gives an employer some idea. I have had several situations in which a well written cover letter got an interview for someone who had relatively little on their resume.
ps. A one liner does not count as a cover letter. I received one recently where the entire cover letter was "I need $36,000 a year". I deleted the email because the person showed poor form. Translated, the sentence said - "I can't be bothered to write a letter or inquire about the pay rate - so call me if this pays enough."
Money is an awkward for everyone in job hunting. I think it would be best to place salary requirements at the end of the resume if you want to state them. A salary demand higher than I was planning on paying may not disqualify a candidate if the resume is interesting. Likewise, I would have no problem with a person who has provided a well written paragraph or two adding "I would like to discuss the possibility of working with your company. However, my salary requirements would be at least $36,000. " It lets me know that the person understand business etiquette and will be able deal with clients without offending them.
2. Proof Read
Always take time to proof read both the resume and the cover letter. Listing attention to detail as a skill does not cut it if there are typos galore. Have a friend proof read it too.
3. Align your objectives with the job
I have never been a big fan of objective statements on resumes. Most of them sound a little cliché. "I want a job where I am valued and can use my skills to benefit the company." Hopefully, that is everyone's objective. What will be a negative, however, is when the objective on the resume does not match the job. If the applicant's goal is to be in management or sales - why is he applying for a legal secretary position? Make sure that your objective statement and the job are consistent.
4. Be prepared
One of the best things is to be prepared. An applicant should always bring extra copies of her resume and other things that might be of interest to the employer. If she is interviewing with a group of people, this ensures that everyone has one. If the last person she interviewed with forgot to pass your resume on to the next person, voilà - here it is. Looking prepared is always a plus.
Last week I interviewed law students at BYU. Due to a rush project the night before I did not get the resumes printed off and was using my laptop to review them during the interviews. Each the BYU students I interviewed had a spare resume and offered it when they saw me looking at my computer. It left me with the idea that each would be well prepared if asked to work for us this summer.
5. Be a little formal
We have become very casual country. If in doubt, error on the side of formality. Being a little over-dressed is better than being under-dressed. Don't walk in chewing gum. Avoid using short names - or first names for that matter - unless you have been properly introduced. Some people like formality and it is a little embarrassing when you call Edward "Ed" when he goes by Edward.
When the economy was on steroids bad job hunting manners may not cause much harm. However, with the economy cooling down, it is unwise to do anything that might lead to being overlooked.
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