11 More Tips for Applying to a Help Wanted Ad

Posted on Thursday, August 6, 2009 by Sarah Chambers

Yesterday, we published 17 Best Tips for Applying to a Help Wanted Ad. We have more.

Since we posted an ad for a writer on craigslist three days ago, we have received 243 responses. Some are simply amazing. And there are a few clunkers. Here are 11 More Tips for Applying to a Help Wanted Ad.

Tip 18: A great cover letter (sent in email, not just an attachment) will get me to look at your resume.

Tip 19: If I can’t open your resume in “Preview” it goes in the no pile. Hint: PDFs open in preview.

Tip 20: If your website plays sound automatically, you’re out. Let me opt in to sound!!!!!

Tip 21: On resumes, objectives only have a downside. If you use them, make sure they match the job you are applying for.

Tip 22: Don’t include writing samples from Facebook or (especially) MySpace.

Tip 23: We want people who want to work HERE, not just anywhere. Do a little research.

Tip 24: If you have something cool to say in your LONG cover letter, say it at the beginning.

Tip 25: This one’s important: Put your experience in chronological order on your resume. Disorganized = disorganized.

Tip 26: Use a professional sounding email address – preferably with some variation on your name.

Tip 27: “I read your post… Could you send me more information and when i can start?” That’s all she wrote. Seriously?

Tip 28: OH: Write something in the email. Don’t just include attachments.

Note: Sarah is posting more job tips in real time on Twitter. You can follow her at http://twitter.com/sarahchambers. -Ed.

User Comments

Bill Strahan

Aug 6th, 2009

Don’t reference that “we’ve met” when in fact you were one of 100 people in an audience when I gave a speech 3 years ago. It confuses me, because I can’t actually remember you and now I am trying to figure out why I forgot to hate you.
Frank Roche

Aug 6th, 2009

@Bill LOL…everybody is famous when hiring.
N.Muaddi

Aug 6th, 2009

HA! I printed these out and hung them above my desk. That way, even if I don’t get the job, I’ll at least know how to land something… somewhere… someday… iFRACTAL? Look out for my resume (I only violated one tip!)
Frank Roche

Aug 6th, 2009

@Nadeem Good one…there are good lessons here.
Sarah Chambers

Aug 7th, 2009

Bill – haven’t we met

Nadeem – I’m not big on rules actually. Rules of thumb are helpful – sometimes violating them gets you noticed. My thought is – do it for a reason. And, I think making life even one click more difficult for the busy person fishing through resumes has risks.
N.Muaddi

Aug 7th, 2009

Very true. Out of curiosity, what’s the weirdest thing an applicant has done to get your attention? A couple months ago CareerBuilder.com’s blog listed things as ridiculous as a candidate sending a shoe with his resumes in order to “get my foot in the door.”

Have you read this? http://www.theworkbuzz.com/job-search/unusual-job-search-tactics/
Jennifer

Aug 11th, 2009

I couldn’t agree more with #28. If you can’t even write something in the email, why do I bother opening the four attachments to figure out which one is your resume. Especially with the attachment name doesn’t clearly explain what that particular attachment is. Ugh!