Fashion Mode

In today's complex and technologically sophisticated job market, LinkedIn and social networking has emerged as an essential channel in the multi-faceted job-search initiative.

Whether potential employers proactively seek you out or vice versa, getting your resume in front of employers is critically important. There is no doubt that the resume still remains a vital component for job-seekers and, in fact, is the pivotal document that corporations and recruiters still request from candidates.

Getting lost in the crowd?

To complement social networking, search engines (such as Indeed.com) and job-posting boards are frequently used to seek out potential employment opportunities. Invariably, when responding to an online job posting, you will be asked to submit your resume online.

This process allows companies to electronically scan resumes for a particular position and affords for the efficient storage and retrieval of information. Your personality, expertise, and engaging characteristics will be transformed by technology into a tracking number with an associated score.

It's no surprise that submitting resumes online can be a rather exasperating and futile process, given the volume of candidates and fierce competition. So what additional options do you have to at your disposal to differentiate yourself and improve your chances for an interview?

Consider Snail Mail

Recruiting was revolutionized with the emergence of email, the web and information-technology systems used by human resources departments. The recession and record unemployment fueled the automation used to efficiently process resumes. Consequently, sending resumes by mail became passe.

Today, however, many career experts believe that this path can be a significant differentiator and prove quite fruitful. I am not advocating that you skip the online submission of your resume. A candidate should always apply to the job posting in the manner requested by the employer. However, for highly appealing opportunities (assuming you have the qualifications), you may gain leverage by also sending your resume and cover letter via snail mail (the U.S. Postal Service) to a senior executive within the company.

Even if your resume doesn't receive the personal attention of the busy individual it's mailed to, there's a chance it may be redirected to someone, potentially even the hiring manager, who may give it special treatment - leading to an interview.

Your goal: to get noticed

With all the real-time technology employed today to speed communication, seizing the opportunity to send a tailored cover letter and resume via standard mail service underscores your interest in the job and the company.

Does this technique work all the time? No.

However, it does often work. Perhaps it's simply human nature. Postal mail attracts our attention and is a surefire way of getting noticed. Just ask any collections agency. For positions which are highly appealing, a recommended strategy may very well be to submit your resume both electronically and through old-fashioned regular mail.

There are definite drawbacks to sending a resume via snail mail - it's expensive and time-consuming and isn't environmentally friendly. It may or may not enhance your interview potential. However - it certainly won't hurt. Not only does it afford a level of differentiation, but it also demonstrates that you're the caliber of candidate prepared to go the extra mile, one who is innovative and resourceful.

These attributes are highly appealing to any prospective employer.