How Often Should You Check Job Boards?
23 September 2008
Read by 1760 persons
Your email should be checked at least once a day. The internet is a fast and responsive medium that often speeds up the pre-recruitment phase.
For checking job boards, a good average is once or twice a week. Do it, for example, at the end of the week to prepare your answers during the weekend. Many sites offer the possibility of being alerted by email of offers matching your profile. Do not hesitate to use this feature to save time.
Replying to an offer by email
One rule to remember: put yourself in the recipient's shoes who receives dozens of applications per day and appreciates those who respect certain practices:
• Recipient: always check the recipient's email address.
• Hidden copy: to keep track of your application, you can enter your address in a hidden copy. You will thus receive a copy of the message that you can print and file.
• Subject: be very precise. Include the reference number and the origin of the offer if you are responding to an offer. Due to the multiplication of viruses, some messages from unknown sources are deleted without being opened.
• Attached file: Be sure to name your resume with your name, for example "firstnamelastname.doc". Avoid "cv.doc" (recruiters receive 50 resumes per day named CV.doc) or worse "Cvmodifiedlastversionbeforethenext.doc". Unless specified in the job offer, do not insert a scanned photo in your resume. Avoid the cover letter as an attachment, unless it is in the same file as the resume. The recruiter would be forced to open 2 files instead of one.
Body of the message: write a real cover letter, with as much care if not more than in paper format. If you copy-paste an existing cover letter, systematically reread it twice. Be courteous and don't let yourself be swayed by the familiarity that is often used when sending an email to a friend. Avoid messages limited to "Please find attached my resume".
Published January 28, 2009
Conseils Carriere
For checking job boards, a good average is once or twice a week. Do it, for example, at the end of the week to prepare your answers during the weekend. Many sites offer the possibility of being alerted by email of offers matching your profile. Do not hesitate to use this feature to save time.
Replying to an offer by email
One rule to remember: put yourself in the recipient's shoes who receives dozens of applications per day and appreciates those who respect certain practices:
• Recipient: always check the recipient's email address.
• Hidden copy: to keep track of your application, you can enter your address in a hidden copy. You will thus receive a copy of the message that you can print and file.
• Subject: be very precise. Include the reference number and the origin of the offer if you are responding to an offer. Due to the multiplication of viruses, some messages from unknown sources are deleted without being opened.
• Attached file: Be sure to name your resume with your name, for example "firstnamelastname.doc". Avoid "cv.doc" (recruiters receive 50 resumes per day named CV.doc) or worse "Cvmodifiedlastversionbeforethenext.doc". Unless specified in the job offer, do not insert a scanned photo in your resume. Avoid the cover letter as an attachment, unless it is in the same file as the resume. The recruiter would be forced to open 2 files instead of one.
Body of the message: write a real cover letter, with as much care if not more than in paper format. If you copy-paste an existing cover letter, systematically reread it twice. Be courteous and don't let yourself be swayed by the familiarity that is often used when sending an email to a friend. Avoid messages limited to "Please find attached my resume".
Published January 28, 2009
Conseils Carriere
