When applying for jobs...

[bitWISE]

Is it pretty common to not even hear from the potential employer? Over the last few months I've been applying for various entry-level programming jobs via monster.com and I'm getting pretty pissed off at the lack of common courtesy.

Is it really that hard for a recruiter to say something like "Thanks for submitting your resume. We will contact you shortly." or "We're sorry but you do not meet the requirements for this position."? Or am I doing something horribly wrong that makes people flat-out ignore me? I always follow their instructions exactly, email the person directly when possible and type out a cover-letter for each application.

[bitWISE]

and don't be smart-asses and not reply to my thread

[FragaGeddon]

How many pages is your resume?
If it's 3 or more, you'll need to trim it down too two pages.

[bitWISE]

How many pages is your resume?
If it's 3 or more, you'll need to trim it down too two pages.

I've always heard that one page is the target. And if you can't fit it all on one to cut it down or do two full pages.

That being said I'm lucky to fill a single page considering I don't have much professional experience. The bulk of my resume is a large "table" that contains my proficiencies in related software and programming languages.

[FragaGeddon]

Usually people with 3 or more page resumes get chucked in the garbage.

[Whiskey 7]

Yes cover and 2 pages, dot points help and no photo :icon26:

[Hannibal]

The internet is both a blessing and a curse for would-be job knobblers. No doubt most employers in computer-related fields who advertise on Monster get fucking hammered with electronic submissions. Swamped like a mofo. There is no way (even if they wanted to) some dude or dudette is going to reply to every one of the 8 bazillion "HIRE ME FAG" emails they get on a daily basis.

Just make sure you keep sending POLISHED materials for positions you (truly) meet the bare minimum requirements for.

If you are serious about finding a job in your field, sending out resumes to every schmo who advertises an opening is just the tip of the iceberg of the shit you should be doing. On the down low.

[feedback]

Is it pretty common to not even hear from the potential employer? Over the last few months I've been applying for various entry-level programming jobs via monster.com and I'm getting pretty pissed off at the lack of common courtesy.

Is it really that hard for a recruiter to say something like "Thanks for submitting your resume. We will contact you shortly." or "We're sorry but you do not meet the requirements for this position."? Or am I doing something horribly wrong that makes people flat-out ignore me? I always follow their instructions exactly, email the person directly when possible and type out a cover-letter for each application.

Yeah, at work when someone submits a shitty resume, or shitty cover letter, or fucks something they shouldn't up, we just toss it out without looking any further.

[mjrpes]

Did you make sure to include the 'team player' and 'able to work independently' skills on your resume?

[Hannibal]

and as others have pointed out, the one page resume rule is a good one...only under very specific circumstances should it be longer (i.e. a request for a curriculum vitae, etc.). Remember, the function of a resume is to get you an interview, not the job itself.

[bitWISE]

Yeah, at work when someone submits a shitty resume, or shitty cover letter, or fucks something they shouldn't up, we just toss it out without looking any further.

I was thinking my cover letter approach may be what is hurting me. I'll try changing up my style.

[MKJ]

they usually do it in bulks. they collect a certain number of applications and go through them at once, rather than looking at them when they come in.

also a nice tip, after you submitted your resume, call them 2 days later with some bullshit question about the job. this way they'll know youre resume is there, you come off eager and your name will be fresh in their memories :icon14:

[feedback]

Yeah, at work when someone submits a shitty resume, or shitty cover letter, or fucks something they shouldn't up, we just toss it out without looking any further.

I was thinking my cover letter approach may be what is hurting me. I'll try changing up my style.

If you're going to try something, do it well. A cover letter in addition to your resume is only good if your cover letter adds something. If you make an error in your cover letter, there's a good chance it will get tossed even though your resume is perfect.

[Ryoki]

No doubt most employers in computer-related fields who advertise on Monster get fucking hammered with electronic submissions. Swamped like a mofo. There is no way (even if they wanted to) some dude or dudette is going to reply to every one of the 8 bazillion "HIRE ME FAG" emails they get on a daily basis.

Yea - even at the small place i work every week we're getting a shitload of resumes. I don't think we ever reply, unless it's to invite someone for an interview.

[Nightshade]

Yeah, at work when someone submits a shitty resume, or shitty cover letter, or fucks something they shouldn't up, we just toss it out without looking any further.

I was thinking my cover letter approach may be what is hurting me. I'll try changing up my style.

I tried to tell you that the whole "GIMME A JOB AND YOU'LL SEE YOUR KIDS AGAIN" thing wasn't going to work.

[4days]

If you're going to try something, do it well. A cover letter in addition to your resume is only good if your cover letter adds something. If you make an error in your cover letter, there's a good chance it will get tossed even though your resume is perfect.

aye. when we were hiring at the place i used to work we got 100s of CVs, so anyone who'd made a blatant typo or put a stupid header onto their covering letter got binned straight away.

[seremtan]

Is it pretty common to not even hear from the potential employer? Over the last few months I've been applying for various entry-level programming jobs via monster.com and I'm getting pretty pissed off at the lack of common courtesy.

Is it really that hard for a recruiter to say something like "Thanks for submitting your resume. We will contact you shortly." or "We're sorry but you do not meet the requirements for this position."? Or am I doing something horribly wrong that makes people flat-out ignore me? I always follow their instructions exactly, email the person directly when possible and type out a cover-letter for each application.

a nil response unless you're invited for interview is pretty much the norm these days, at least in the UK. i haven't found resume length to be an issue (mine's pretty long). chances are they are getting so many submissions they're having to sort thru them pretty brutally and whatever 'filter' they're using on the day skips yours

[duffman91]

Is it pretty common to not even hear from the potential employer? Over the last few months I've been applying for various entry-level programming jobs via monster.com and I'm getting pretty pissed off at the lack of common courtesy.

Is it really that hard for a recruiter to say something like "Thanks for submitting your resume. We will contact you shortly." or "We're sorry but you do not meet the requirements for this position."? Or am I doing something horribly wrong that makes people flat-out ignore me? I always follow their instructions exactly, email the person directly when possible and type out a cover-letter for each application.

Assuming that your resume is good(Read: formatted to the requirements of each company, TWO PAGES[first page is general experience, second page is detailed expertise], with excellent layout, with direct positivies of how you'll change the company), then read below:

Keep trying man. It took me 6 months to land a job. However, I started applying 6 months before I graduated. In the end, it worked out fine.

Also, it IS common to never hear back from positions once you apply. Some companies do it just to test out how interested you are. Alot of positions would only interview if the person called back requesting a status report on the hiring process.

Finally, Monster.com is great. However, it'll always look better if you apply directly with the company instead of through Monster.com's interface.

Good luck!

My dad (Who works for the Department of Energy) gave me a resume format that made my call backs quadruple. If you want it, tell me where to send it.

[plained]

sometimes resume are acepted but the jobs long spoken for


i think alot bosses look more for attitude and circumstance.

hope this helps

[Don Carlos]

make your Cv punchy and hard hitting as it were! Here's mine as an example:

Career Summary

Lloyds TSB Internet Banking (Fraud Response) November 2005-Present

Responsibilities
Monitor suspect IP activity
Report suspicious transactions
Manually suspend transaction authority preventing any further account activity
Authorise or decline payment requests made online
Feasibility studies carried out in numerous departments
Reports on processes highlighting faults and system resolutions that would increase productivity

Achievements
Accumulative saving of over £5,000,000.00
My commitment, attention to detail and team building promoted me to a productivity liaison with our central team
I am now a central trainer for new inductees
Due to my increased responsibilities within the technical environment I work within I received Teamsite software training to oversee the running of updates on an internal website


Lloyds TSB Internet Banking (Frontline Agent) March 2004 – November 2005

Responsibilities
Receive inbound calls from Internet Banking Customers
Offer navigational support in using the Website
Provide technical support for numerous web browsers connecting to Lloyds TSB
Investigate payments which have gone astray
Verify customers wishing to use the service as well as reset existing customers
Offer product support
Liase with numerous departments to resolve the customers enquiry


Achievements
My experience promoted me to a mentor for new inductees
My level of customer service was recognised therefore I was approached to become an ambassador for Internet Banking a role which I currently pursue
My attention to detail was recognised and I was promoted to the Fraud Response Team

Lloyds TSB Teleservice (Frontline Agent) September 2003 –March 2004

Responsibilities
Receive inbound calls for general banking enquiries
Offer product Support

Achievements
Fast track to a level one agent due to my knowledge and understanding of the computer software used within Lloyds TSB


Other employment

BIG W September 2002-September 2003
PC World November 2001-September 2002


Then your persnnal bits like hobbies and stuff like that!

Hope it helps!

Also, yes employers are cunts and you need to keep onto them so when your name gets shoved in front of them they know who you are!

[dzjepp]

Is it pretty common to not even hear from the potential employer? Over the last few months I've been applying for various entry-level programming jobs via monster.com and I'm getting pretty pissed off at the lack of common courtesy.

Is it really that hard for a recruiter to say something like "Thanks for submitting your resume. We will contact you shortly." or "We're sorry but you do not meet the requirements for this position."? Or am I doing something horribly wrong that makes people flat-out ignore me? I always follow their instructions exactly, email the person directly when possible and type out a cover-letter for each application.

Assuming that your resume is good(Read: formatted to the requirements of each company, TWO PAGES[first page is general experience, second page is detailed expertise], with excellent layout, with direct positivies of how you'll change the company), then read below:

Keep trying man. It took me 6 months to land a job. However, I started applying 6 months before I graduated. In the end, it worked out fine.

Also, it IS common to never hear back from positions once you apply. Some companies do it just to test out how interested you are. Alot of positions would only interview if the person called back requesting a status report on the hiring process.

Finally, Monster.com is great. However, it'll always look better if you apply directly with the company instead of through Monster.com's interface.

Good luck!

My dad (Who works for the Department of Energy) gave me a resume format that made my call backs quadruple. If you want it, tell me where to send it.

Hey man, can you hook me up with that? Just use the email thing from q3w. Thankx

Nvm it's not there, it's dzjepp[at]gmail.com

[simply]

it may sounds silly, but go to a company that specializes in résumé formating. Thank you letters, fallow up letters, greeting letters. They're all a must.

[Guest]

I'm pretty sure you'd be getting more interviews if you weren't such a whiney bitch.

[bitWISE]

Finally, Monster.com is great. However, it'll always look better if you apply directly with the company instead of through Monster.com's interface.

Yeah, I try to contact the actual person whenever I can instead of just clicking 'apply'. One time I had someone reply to me with the contents of the email that monster sends out and it looked entirely unreadable by a human.

The sample would help a lot. The class at devry wanted us to focus only on one page but it does feel like I'm not getting enough of my skill across. perfunction at hotmail.com

[stocktroll]

what do you expect?
you are a dime a dozen of countless fresh meat CS grads trying the same thing