I’m involved with recruiting over at InfoSource Learning.

Every month we receive a few hundred resumes.

And, we look at ‘em all.

Some closely, but most for mere seconds.

What’s the single fastest way you can get your resume tossed into the “doesn’t fit” box?

Failing to tell the recruiter why you’re right for the job.

Yet, most resumes come in without a note, without a letter, or any other hint or clue that helps us quickly determine if there’s a fit.

Am I too old school?  Sheesh, dunno, but I sure think that you’d want to pull out all the stops when trying to connect with an impress a prospective employer.

Blasting out resumes and making the recipient guess at the fit simply doesn’t work.  Period.

The below is a real intro note we received earlier today from someone with both BA and MBA degrees who was applying for one of our educational sales positions.

I am seeking a Professional Position with your organization that will allow me to utilize my analytical, organizational and planning skills that I have developed over the years. I am looking for a position that will afford me the opportunity to make use of my problem solving abilities in handling sensitive and confidential information. As a professional Educator, strong communicational skills both written and oral were developed over the years. This coupled, with my ability to multitask in a fast pace environment is one of my predominant strengths.  I have been blessed with the ability to interact with all levels of management.  During my educational career, I have had the opportunity to interact with 5 different school Superintendents, Administrators, Principal, Teachers, Resource Personnel, parents and students.  I believe this experience will make me a valuable part of your Human Resource Team.
 
Although I lack specific Human Resource experience, I am confident that my experience coupled with my MBA Degree will make me a valuable asset to your organization.

Do you know how many thousands of letters we’ve received over the years that look just about like that one?

Well, sir, that all looks great . . . but have you ever sold anything?  Why would you make a great sales person for us even though you’ve never sold anything?  And, since you want to work on our Human Resource Team, might you know if we have an opening there?  (Oh, yeah, and your communicational skills are right up there with the best of ‘em.)

Trash can.

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Okay, friends, I’m going to yell and scream a tad today.

Really.

There’s something about people who send resumes and don’t tell me why or where the connection is.

When I receive these where-in-the-hell-did-this-guy-come-from resume, all I want to do is go: ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

And, if you want to hear what that sounds like, check this out.

 

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