Everyone knows the Internet is a great resource for finding work. But how you behave on the Internet and how you use it can have a profound effect on how effective your search will be.
Make It Easy
Be careful about your communication with employers. Check the spelling of any e-mail you send and make sure the content is what you want employers to receive. Keep your communication brief and to the point so it doesn't take forever to read. If you are emailing a question or request, put enough information in your e-mail so your question can be answered.
Getting The Resume Out
Don't expect employers to respond to your e-mail even if you are applying for a posted job. They may not have the manpower to respond to every e-mail they receive, but if you are a potential fit for an opening, you will hear from them when they are ready to fill the position.
Sending Samples
If you are asked to send samples via e-mail, don't direct the employer to your Website, asking the employer to make an extra effort to see your work. E-mail your samples in a jpeg format to the employer as soon as you can. You are competing with others for the job and if others are sending e-mailed samples, don't expect the employer to take the time to go to your Website to view your work. Besides, servers are often unreliable and the employer may not be able to view your site. It's unlikely that they will try visiting a Website a second time if they are swamped with production work as well as trying to find an employee. Make it easy for them to hire you. If you are asked to send three or four jpegs, do not send 15. Send the samples so they don't take forever to download — a good rule is not to exceed 1 meg.
Parting Thoughts
If someone contacts you with career information of any kind, be polite and professional in your reply. Remember that though you are online, it is not a time to flame someone -- as it could lead to a difficult time finding work. Be careful about what you post to online groups as well. E-mail is the least censored communication we create, yet it can travel around the world in just minutes and be kept forever...
Pamela Kleibrink Thompson is a career coach, recruiter and hiring strategist. She has been writing articles for Animation World Network for a number of years and both loves and hates to get e-mail.
You'll have an easier time finding work if you keep this rule in mind: Make it easy on the employer. Keep in mind that he/she is busy and don't make him/her do extra work to hire you.
If you submit a resume over the Internet, paste it in the body of your e-mail. Do not send it as an attachment as many companies do not open or accept attachments. You can include your Website address as well, but don't expect anyone to go to your Website to retrieve your resume information. If you post your resume to a Website, be sure an e-mail address is included as well as your name.
If you get an e-mail asking for samples, reply as soon as you can and indicate when you think you'll be able to send them. Few employers will bother to call to follow up on an e-mail they sent and it only takes a minute or less to type, "Thank you. I received your e-mail and will send you samples by Thursday the 12th."
If you are in the job market, keep the employers you've contacted up to date with any contact information changes, especially e-mail addresses. You want them to be able to reach you for that test or interview, or better yet, job offer at all times. E-mail allows an employer to reach you at any time, regardless of time zones and is often a preferred method to communicate with applicants.
Links:
[1] http://www.awn.com/imagepicker/image/5765
