You Are Your Resume, Part Two

If you have been getting no calls and seriously distributing resumes the post above is a good place to start. If now your resume has reliable information then read on. This part might be called Your Resume Is Not An Application.

Because there are a variety of procedures, depending on the industry and particular company, which involve filling in forms and supplying information both before and after hiring, this post will deal with the simplest before hiring procedure.

For most businesses, no matter what size, some standard has been used to organize hiring. This standard is almost always an application. You may have filled out several in your work life. Whether at a computer terminal or at a desk with a pen they ask for information, sometimes extensive information about you. This is information which is probably not on your resume. Social Security number, names, addresses and phone numbers for previous employers as well as additional information for references. (If this information is on your resume remove it. Resumes are not applications and should not include extensive personal information.)

Some applicants assume that attaching a resume to an application after having filled in their name is sufficient for the process. It isn't. If you have been handed an application fill it out as completely as possible. Even if this application essentially duplicates information you have on your resume fill it out anyway.There is a purpose for this beyond what you can imagine. (For example, it could be a useful preliminary test to see if you can follow directions.)

If you have not been called for an interview but are simply applying, the information you have provided will be forwarded to the appropriate department, usually known as Human Resources, and often called "HR".

If you have been called for an interview based on your resume or resume and application, these documents will be forwarded to the interviewer or interviewers, with whom you will be speaking shortly.

And this leads to You Are Your Resume, Part Three.