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Cyber-Resumes

© Leslie Truex

The Internet has created many new opportunities for job seekers to find, apply, and obtain a work-at-home job. Nevertheless, simplified job searching capabilities and the ability to e-mail a prospective employer in an instant doesn't change the basic rules and etiquette of applying for jobs in the online arena. A quick e-mail note to an employer letting him know you are interested in a posted job isn't going to get you hired. Your e-mail, resume, and other documentation are the first and possibly the last chance you have to make an impression on a potential employer. Make sure your job inquiry gets considered by following this list of cyber-resume "do's" and "don'ts":

Do:

1. Follow the job announcement's instruction for applying to the job.

2. Limit your resume to 1 page.

3. Use 12-pt font size.

4. Avoid fancy style fonts and formats. Not all computers can accurately decipher special fonts and formatting (bold, italics).

5. Spell out all abbreviations; even those that should be obvious to everyone.

6. Include your full name, address, telephone number and e-mail in all documents.

7. In your resume, outline relevant work experience using your most recent occupation first.

8. If you are recent graduate, consider listing your education before your work experience.

9. List other relevant experience such as volunteer work, certifications, course work, etc.

10. Address your cover or introductory letter to a specific person. You can get this from the job announcement or the company's web site.

11. Your letter of introduction should include the position to which you are applying and where you saw the position advertised.

12. Highlight your skills and experience that is specific to the job in the body of your letter.

13. Proofread, proofread, and proofread your resume and letter of introduction (cover letter) again.

Don't:

1. List skills or experience that is unrelated to the position offered in your resume or cover letter.

2. Exaggerate or falsify anything.

3. Give personal information such as marital status, age, etc.

4. Have any grammar or typographical errors.

5. Use a personal or buddy-like tone in your cover letter.

6. Send bulk, generic resumes and cover letters.

7. Sound desperate. Companies want the best person for the job. Your financial situation won't sway a decision one way or another.

8. Be over enthusiastic. Employers are not impressed by 'salesmen' type hype.

9. Refer to yourself in the third person in your cover letter. Use "I", and "me", etc instead.

10. Send your resume as an attachment unless you are told specifically to do so. Most companies delete e-mail with attachments for security purposes.

The copyright of the article Cyber-Resumes in Telecommuting is owned by Paym Bergson. Permission to republish Cyber-Resumes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.