WAHM Forums

I have been thinking a lot lately about the things I have learned while working from my home. I have been at this for a few years and although I don't know everything there is to know, there are a few things I wish I had known when I started.

They are in no particular order:
When you send a resume' in an email don't attach it instead paste the whole thing under your letter to the employer with a note above it that says something like "I have provided my resume' below for your consideration". There are so many viruses going around now days that a lot of people won't even open attachments from people they don't know anymore. Don't over-do your resume'. I used to think filling up my resume' with lots of experience would help me but in the end it hurt me. If you are applying for a job that only requires some experience and no degree, don't list your BA and MA degree on your resume' because it will only make the employer think you will quit as soon as you find something better. On the other side if you want a job in blogging but don't have any experience try doing some volunteer writing for a bit and then you will have a resume' with some experience on it. Look at the email you are applying to. If there is a job that is listed as "Apple Computers Job" then the email should look like this John @ apple . com not John @ gmail . com.These are a few of the things I wish I new before I started applying for jobs on the internet. I hope it will help anyone who is just beginning to look for work.

Times are rough but don't give up.

I like your idea about pasting the resume in the email because sometimes they can't always open certain documents at their end.

A problem I have run across since working from home is that people call meall the time and don't seem to accept that I am in the middle of working. I let my voicemail get it a lot but people seem to get irritated or offended because they know that I'm at home. You wouldn't call someone repeatedly at work if they workedin a regular office. Most of the people in my life understand now, but 1 or 2 don't seem toget the picture. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

Wahd2009,

Great idea about pasting your resume in the body of an e-mail. For that reason, I have 2 copies of my resume: One in a .txt format and another in a Word format.

You are right. A lot of people won't read attachments.

A headhunter told me the same about your point number 2. When I first moved here from California I asked her why I was having such a hard time finding a job and she said I was too experienced and to knock down the resume a few levels. Unfortunately I have no other experience other than high tech so what do you do then?

I think Wahd2009 gives good advice about changing a resume a bit so you don't look overqualified.

Hmmmmm.... <a href="http://www.virtualvocations.com/forum/i/viewtopic.php?f=15&amp;p=13322#p13322" target="_blank">A bit redundant
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You have been getting around haven't you.smileys/smiley26.gif


This may be redundant to you, but not all of us go to the other websites, so I'm sure this was very helpful to those of us that go to all the other sites. It seemed a little rude to make that comment, and at the very least it did not give anything to the post. It's these kind of hurtful comments, at least as I'm concerned, that I don't come here and post as much as I could.http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley6.gif

I would like the thank for poster for taking their time to pass along helpful information.http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley32.gif

Dawn

Why is there a need to even be rude to another poster on this board - just because you don't like what they are posting. Such a shame that people even have to be like that.

Why is there a need to even be rude to another poster on this board - just because you don't like what they are posting. Such a shame that people even have to be like that.


Are you speaking about my post?

Dawn

Actually I was talking about the poster "posting" to you -just a shame that comment even had to be made at all when you are trying to help people or give ideas

I myself am only on like 2 or 3 work from home message boards (I think one is actually a VA forum), anyway- so there is stuff on other boards that Ior anyone else could miss at any given time. I really am on this one morethan any. Any suggestions, tips, ideas or thoughts from anyone are great in my opinion! We are all working for the same goal - to be at home and work http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

Edited by: Juliabelle

I couldn't agree more. I have my favorite 4 that I go to daily and if something isn't on those then I don't know about it, so I think it's great that most everyone is nice enough to pass the info along to those of us who may not have seen it.

Keep up the great workeveryonehttp://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley20.gif

Dawn

I think this post was a great help!! I am ONLY on this forum and have not seen it before, so THANK YOU for sharing the awesome information!!! Tips I will definitely be implementing in the near future!!smileys/smiley20.gif

I have been pasting my resume in the body of my email for years now. But just last week, I got a response back from a virtual assistance business owner saying the following:<?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><O:P></O:P>
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"In the future also, when applying for a job, anywhere, employers usually would throw out this resume because you sent it in the email instead of as an attachment. It isn't legible and they would have to work too hard to read this.When a work from home employer or a VA company looks at this, we see it as a lack of initiative. We look for someone that goes the extra mile and someone that can think on their own about the best and most efficient way to do things."

So, what should we do? Should we copy/paste our resume into the body and add is as an attachment? Damned if we do and damned if we don't!Edited by: mattamama

Confusing! LOL http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley5.gifhttp://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley29.gif

If you copy/paste your resume in the body of the email, just be sure the font is smaller to fit within the email properly
No one wants to scroll and slide back and forth within the email to read a resume
Use clean, clear font and condense info where you can *
HTH

Hmmmmm.... <a href="http://www.virtualvocations.com/forum/i/viewtopic.php?f=15&amp;p=13322#p13322" target="_blank">A bit redundant
</a>
You have been getting around haven't you.smileys/smiley26.gif


This may be redundant to you, but not all of us go to the other websites, so I'm sure this was very helpful to those of us that go to all the other sites. It seemed a little rude to make that comment, and at the very least it did not give anything to the post. It's these kind of hurtful comments, at least as I'm concerned, that I don't come here and post as much as I could.http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley6.gif

I would like the thank for poster for taking their time to pass along helpful information.http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley32.gif

Dawn
OMG really? I was not rude. I made my comment directly to the poster. This could have been a post stolen from this board or anything, I was making a point not being rude. Rude is jumping into a conversation and attacking me without any reason. You do not know me or the reason for the post. There have been a lot of spammers hitting boards and stealing direct quotes from one board and pasting them onto other boards just to avoid being deleted by moderators. If this belonged to the OP then that is cool but if not then I would think the OP would like to know that they are being reposted in different boards. Now who was the rude one? My comment was not HURTFUL in any shape form or fashion. Your response was defensive and unnecessary.

Actually I was talking about the poster "posting" to you -just a shame that comment even had to be made at all when you are trying to help people or give ideas

I myself am only on like 2 or 3 work from home message boards (I think one is actually a VA forum), anyway- so there is stuff on other boards that Ior anyone else could miss at any given time. I really am on this one morethan any. Any suggestions, tips, ideas or thoughts from anyone are great in my opinion! We are all working for the same goal - to be at home and work http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif


You may want to read that again, no one posted anything to Dkramer.

A problem I have run across since working from home is that people call meall the time and don't seem to accept that I am in the middle of working. I let my voicemail get it a lot but people seem to get irritated or offended because they know that I'm at home. You wouldn't call someone repeatedly at work if they workedin a regular office. Most of the people in my life understand now, but 1 or 2 don't seem toget the picture. http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

Thank you! I have been working home for years and this has been a persisent problem. I live in a condo, and I had to get my neighbors to understand just because I'm home doesn't mean I'man automatic babysitter or pet sitter. They would routinely show up at my door until I reminded I have daily transcription deadlines!

I want to publicy send a big I'm Sorry to TRochelle. I had misunderstood her post and acted defensively as she too had pointed out (I truly appreciate honesty). I hope I haven't hurt your feelings TR and if I did, I apologize. Dawn

My apologies to you - that the post was not directed at Dkramer and I misread that. And sorry we misunderstood your post altogether!

I know you said you were concerned this might be a spammer, etc. but sincerely though - at least 2 of us took offense and felt the post was rude so you might want to be careful how you post to people or maybe explain more that you were concerned it might be a spammer. It just came across as a rude remark in general to the original poster :) Justmy 2 cents :) But again sorry for the misunderstanding to begin with http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley9.gif

Take careEdited by: Juliabelle

I want to publicy send a big </font>I'm Sorry</font> to TRochelle. I had misunderstood her post and acted defensively as she too had pointed out (I truly appreciate honesty). I hope I haven't hurt your feelings TR and if I did, I apologize. Dawn</font>

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I want to apologize to you ladies as well. I was so defensive in my own response that I could not see your sides. You ladies are just wonderful people and I just know we are all on the same page, we want to protect this board and boards like it. I don't disagree that the post is very informative. I have just been watching this poster and I was a bit suspicious. No harm no foul ladies, we will always be message board mama hens won't we lol!

My apologies to you - that the post was not directed at Dkramer and I misread that. And sorry we misunderstood your post altogether!

I know you said you were concerned this might be a spammer, etc. but sincerely though - at least 2 of us took offense and felt the post was rude so you might want to be careful how you post to people or maybe explain more that you were concerned it might be a spammer. It just came across as a rude remark in general to the original poster :) Justmy 2 cents :) But again sorry for the misunderstanding to begin with http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley9.gif

Take care
I have experience with this particular poster, but I see your point of view. I really do NOT see the rudeness to be honest, but that might be because when I want to be rude.... EVERYONE will know it. smileys/smiley36.gif I should truly come with a disclaimer.

We should ALL come with a disclaimer - none of us is perfect http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif We all have our days - and I am sure there were times people probably wanted to tell me my posts were abrasive - especially on Mondays ( bad bad Mondays LOL)

Sorry again for the misunderstanding :)

I don't quite understand what the issues have been but I thought I should answer a couple of questions etc.

I wrote this originally here and then copied it to a couple of other forums I visit in case anyone else could benefit from the things I have learned. So that may be where it was seen before.

Also I like the point about putting the resume' in the email and attaching it. From my experience it is better to insert it into the email, but make sure you put a note at the beginning of the resume' stating that you aren't attaching it for security reasons or spam etc. Again you can always do both though just to make sure the employer knows you are interested.

The other thing I forgot to mention is to be the squeaky wheel. I notice I have had much better success when I follow up constantly than when I send out one email and wait for something to happen. It may seem annoying but that really is the point. :) Obviously you should be careful not to alienate the employer... so I say just have a healthy balance.

Anyhow thanks for the helpful advice, and thanks for paying attention everyone and being courteous.

If a company specifically say no attachments - they won't be opened, please copy/paste in email I would follow their instructions. Too many times as well, when people don't follow instructions their resumes get tossed in the garbage.


I have been pasting my resume in the body of my email for years now. But just last week, I got a response back from a virtual assistance business owner saying the following:</font></font>
</font>
"In the future also, when applying for a job, anywhere, employers usually would throw out this resume because you sent it in the email instead of as an attachment. It isn't legible and they would have to work too hard to read this.</font></font></font>When a work from home employer or a VA company looks at this, we see it as a lack of initiative. We look for someone that goes the extra mile and someone that can think on their own about the best and most efficient way to do things."</font></font></font>
</font></font>
</font></font>So, what should we do? Should we copy/paste our resume into the body and add is as an attachment? Damned if we do and damned if we don't!</font>Edited by: Mystique

This particular company didn't state either way, so that's why I sent my resume in the body of the email.

If a company specifically say no attachments - they won't be opened, please copy/paste in email I would follow their instructions. Too many times as well, when people don't follow instructions their resumes get tossed in the garbage.



I have been pasting my resume in the body of my email for years now. But just last week, I got a response back from a virtual assistance business owner saying the following:<O:P></O:P>
<O:P></O:P>
"In the future also, when applying for a job, anywhere, employers usually would throw out this resume because you sent it in the email instead of as an attachment. It isn't legible and they would have to work too hard to read this.When a work from home employer or a VA company looks at this, we see it as a lack of initiative. We look for someone that goes the extra mile and someone that can think on their own about the best and most efficient way to do things."

So, what should we do? Should we copy/paste our resume into the body and add is as an attachment? Damned if we do and damned if we don't!

Who ever knows exactly why employers don't respond to applications both in the "real" and in the online world?? I don't think it's just because of the way we post our resume. I assume there are some strange people who are screening email applications.

I recently applied to an online position that seemed to be a good fit for me, but the employer just sounded weird and sent emails with different color paragraphs emphasizing the slavish "availability" he needed from his prospective contractors, while simultaneously proclaiming that he could not guarantee a certain number of hours per week.

Maybe we are lucky to have given up on the face to face experience. I have had people who have asked me back for an "interview" three times just to keep me dangling I suppose. I was dumb enough to submit to this because it was close by. I have interviewed with "big shots" who thumbed through their messages while peppering me with questions, never even looking at me. I have driven many miles to another city and been kept waiting two hours for some important person to be ready to talk with me. I have also been on those interviews where you know the minute you walk in that the fix is in for someone else. (this seems to be prevalent in academic situations)
So I guess I am ready for online rejection as well.

Very well said Jakey - welcome to the world of getting work! http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley5.gif UGH!

Personally, I think you did the right thing. I see a lot of companies' preference is resume in email body. I think they should have spoken for themselves.

Can't win!


This particular company didn't state either way, so that's why I sent my resume in the body of the email.

If a company specifically say no attachments - they won't be opened, please copy/paste in email I would follow their instructions. Too many times as well, when people don't follow instructions their resumes get tossed in the garbage.



I have been pasting my resume in the body of my email for years now. But just last week, I got a response back from a virtual assistance business owner saying the following:</font></font>
</font>
"In the future also, when applying for a job, anywhere, employers usually would throw out this resume because you sent it in the email instead of as an attachment. It isn't legible and they would have to work too hard to read this.</font></font></font>When a work from home employer or a VA company looks at this, we see it as a lack of initiative. We look for someone that goes the extra mile and someone that can think on their own about the best and most efficient way to do things."</font></font></font>
</font></font>
</font></font>So, what should we do? Should we copy/paste our resume into the body and add is as an attachment? Damned if we do and damned if we don't!</font>

I completely agree with you Jakey. I live in a town of about 1200 people. Most everybody knows most everybody and lots of times (especiall in academics) they are only going through the motions for appearances sake. I applied for a county position (that is the best employer where I live, good pay and 100% full family paid insurance) and I didn't get the job and I knew the credentials of the person that did, and not being snotty or tooting my own horn, I was more qualified for the position. I heard later through "the grapevine" that they wanted someone without kids because mothers are a "nightmare to work with". My kids are 19, 15 and 12, not exactly babies that need my constant attention. It hurt but my hubby pointed out that I probably wouldn't have like working for people like that anyway. LOL....wow that really became a vent, thanks for listening!

Dawn

If we can't vent here - where and who can we vent toDawn! Other than hubby - but I think theydon'talways want to hear it LOL http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley20.gifhttp://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley5.gif

Dawn,

Its funny that they didn't hire you based on that. If I was hiring someone I would rather have someone that actually knew what responsibility is and had proved it then someone who only had "experience" on paper. The fact that you have three kids and obviously didn't kill them or anyone else through the raising process just shows your more qualified to handle the stress that comes with a job then someone with no children. But what do I know right?