Job Hunt - Etiquette question

I'm not really sure what the "rules" are, but if it was a job I really wanted, I'd call and ask.  I would hope they would appreciate being responsible and making sure it got in before the close date.  I've applied to college/university jobs before but luckily the school where I work has a job app system so you can see your resume and cover letter in your account and check the status.  I've applied for (and been offered) other jobs within the administration and always found this system very handy.

Thanks Liesje. I think I will give them a call. It would have been nice if they had the same system yours has. I've applied for a few government jobs that were the same way. This one I had to mail the resume.

I really hope I get it. It's actually a pay cut for me, but it's really close to home so I should save money on gas, and the benifits are really good.

 When applying for state gov't and big institutions like universities it is REALLY important to use their key words that they used in the job description. The people that do the first screening of resumes don't know anything about the job so they look at resumes and just look for the key words to see if you qualify. If you can't get by those first people that screen resumes you don't have a prayer. So, it's not to your advantage to try and fit your resume to just one page. On top of that, those are the people that will select your salary. Considering they know nothing of the job, they are just going to go through a check list of sorts to see which level you qualify for.

To give you an example, when I first applied for the state, I had a very simple resume. Like the kind that you are taught to do since high school. That got me hired but it got me hired at the entry level position and the lowest pay even though I had over 10 years of experience in the field! So, I had to redo my resume and spell it all out and then they bumped me up to the top level and top pay.

See if you can get the actual names/phone numbers of the person you will be working with or for. Ask a bunch of questions and try to leave a good impression - showing a lot of interest - prior to the interview. This way they will remember you going in.

Then of course, follow up with a thank you letter.

Best of luck!

I agree with the advice to check to make sure the fax was received. I get quite a few of those calls here when we're hiring and every now and then, I can't find what they say they faxed, so I'll ask them to refax it. You probably won't get much information from the person that would take that call and they're not likely to have much influence on you being hired, but it's still a good idea to make sure it was received.

I worked for our state university's chancellors office and the salary was set in stone for the position. There was no wiggle room at all. I've also worked for the state (and currently for the county) and depending on your qualifications and experience, they can sometimes rank you in a higher range. However, what I've found is that if the opening is for say an Executive Secretary, even if you qualify for Administrative Assistant (which is higher pay), they can't hire you as that.  You could still get the job, but the job won't be adjusted for you. Anyway, that's just been my experience and I'm sure it varies. Good luck to you!!

Just call a few times (don't bug) but just call and check in to see if they have 1. received the resume, 2. filled the position and speak to the person doing the hiring.  Let them know you are interested and this isn't just another "job."  Good Luck!!!

I don't think it's at all rude to just give a call and confirm that they have received your resume. I would not wait to the close date, because if you call then and find out they don't have it, wouldn't you then not have time to send another one? If that's the case, I'd call far enough in advance that you have time to send another copy.

Also, on the last resume I sent out, I wrote in the cover letter that I would call within a certain amount of time of sending out the resume. I didn't, because they contacted me first, but had I not been called, I would have called them to make sure they had it. Had they not been interested in me at all, I did expect the courtesy of letting me know that.  

Thanks everyone for the tips. I called and they had the resume. They said they would be calling to set up interviews next week.

Being an executive I interview and look at resumes all the time.  Here are some things to consider.  Remember, your resume is only to get you in the door, you sell yourself during the interview process.  Your resume should be one page, no more!  The poster who suggested you use there buzz words is correct only because you need to sound qualified for there opening.  If the opening is for customer service for example, your resume should outline you experience and your achievement as they relate to that position.  Don't put more than 5 years experience on the resume and if you change jobs often show the jobs as a progression - to many jobs in a short period of time does not look good on a resume unless it advance opportunities each time you move jobs.

You should call and verify receipt of the resume and ask when the interviews will begin, at that time you can ask if it would be alright to follow up at that time if you don't hear from them.  The people who are going to hire you (or you will work for) ARE the people who read and select the interviews not HR.  HR may slim down the applicants and discard those who are not a good fit so being cordial and showing enthusiasm for the position to those pre-filters is important.  If they like you, they will pass on your resume to the hiring management.

Never act desperate, but always show your interest to work for the company.  For example, when you verify the receipt of the resume you can say - I am hoping for a opportunity to interview this position is a really good fit me. 

When my husband recently interviewed for a job he really wanted I told him when his interview was done he should look at the employer, thank them and say..  I would really appreciate an opportunity to work here.  What this does, is make you memorable.  Out of the all the applicants they will interview the ones who stand out in some way will be called back.  So if you having nothing outstanding to offer, give them something to remember you by.  My DH got that job and his employer interviewed 18 applicants all truck drivers.  He remembered my DH because he had the skills, the license, the personality and the right closing statement to set him apart from all the other men in baseball caps!

 Good luck!