Submitting a resume

It should be a given that your resume needs to be perfect when you submit it – no typos, no spelling mistakes. However, employers and recruiters will attest that this is often not the case. Proof read, proof read. Have others proof read it.

However, there is another area that is often neglected and can spoil a job seeker’s chance in a heartbeat: the accompanying e-mail. Remember that everything that you send to a recruiter or prospective employer gets scrutinized and this includes your accompanying e-mail as well as any cover letter.

I often receive a resume accompanied by an e-mail riddled with spelling mistakes, poor punctuation and grammatical errors. In those cases, I delete the e-mail without even opening the attachment! It speaks volumes to me about lack of attention to detail.

It should also be a given that your resume comes as an attachment NOT in the body of the e-mail. That is also an instant delete for most recruiters.

Remember that when you submit a resume, you are taking the first step in the job screening process. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot before you start!

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