July 2005

Job seekers need to be proactive and follow-up on all job leads. Employers receive hundreds of resumes for each opening. You can set yourself apart from other candidates by contacting organizations within a week to 10 days of submitting your application materials.

Indicate in your cover letter that you will be contacting the employer to let them know you will be in touch within a specific timeframe. Calling the hiring manager personalizes the contact and provides an opportunity to showcase your personality. Contact can also made via e-mail; be sure to spell-check and proofread your message before sending.

The purpose of the follow-up is to:

Verify that your resume and cover letter have been received
  Ask if they need additional information that was not included in the original application
  Obtain information on the interviewing and hiring process
  Express your interest in the position and the company; briefly describe how you meet their qualifications and how they will benefit from your experience
  Provide information on recent events (training, awards) that are not on the submitted resume
  Request an interview
  Thank them for their consideration of your application.

Realize that even with aggressive follow-up, the rejection rate will be high, depending on the industry and competition. If you are told you are not one of the candidates slated for an interview, seek information as to what you could do to improve your chances for other positions. If the company representative is receptive, request permission to contact them about future openings and add them to your networking list!

The Career Exploration Office is offering assistance to alumni and continuing education students in developing a targeted resume. During the month of July, CEO staff will review your current resume, make suggestions, and proofread the final version for a one-time fee of $50. Participants must have a current resume and a career target prior to the initial contact. For more information, contact the Career Exploration Office at 614-292-3503 or 292-8493 or via e-mail careerexploration@osu.edu.

The Career Exploration Office (CEO) hosts the Buckeye Job Board on their web site. If you are seeking new career opportunities, be sure to check out this free online database! Positions are posted for 30 days and the list is updated daily. Search for specific titles or keywords to find positions requiring post-secondary education and experience. Also, if your organization is seeking outstanding candidates, encourage them to use this resource! www.careers.ohiostatealumni.org/jobboard.html

You have received this email in response to an inquiry made to the Career Exploration Office. If you do not wish to receive the CEO Career Tune-Up, please send your request to be removed from the mailing list to careerexploration@osu.edu.

Career Exploration Office, 152 Mount Hall, 1050 Carmack Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1002
(614) 292-8493 or (614) 292-3503, www.careers.ohiostatealumni.org, e-mail: careerexploration@osu.edu.