Submitting a Resume: Email or Post?
Emailing CVs to employers has become the norm. It’s quicker, cheaper and more convenient than snail mail – but are there still some perks to sending resumes in the post? Could it be a way of standing out from the crowd? This post weighs up the pros and cons of submitting a resume, and offers some advice on just how to successfully send your resume by post.
The pros of sending your resume in the post
· Businesses are often inundated with emails. In comparison, many companies receive little physical mail. There’s more of a chance that a physical letter will get opened and noticed. It’s a good way of setting yourself apart from other applicants.
· Sending your resume in the post could allow you to bypass automated resume scanners. A lot of medium to large companies use this software to screen digital applications – dismissing any that don’t contain certain keywords. Such technology may not be available for a physical resume, so there’s no chance of being filtered out by a computer.
· Many employers will appreciate the extra efforts you’ve gone to in order to mail your resume. It shows that you’re willing to go above and beyond for the job – and that you could potentially be a more serious candidate.
The cons of sending your resume in the post
· Sending resumes in the mail is more costly and time-consuming. You won’t be able to send as many resumes via post as you would via email.
· Some businesses are trying to go paperless in order to reduce clutter and become greener. They may not appreciate you sending them a paper resume.
· If companies already have a digital hiring process in place, they may prefer you to stick to this process – particularly if they’ve asked you to complete an online competency test or fill out an online form. Your physical resume may be discounted for not following the application rules.
How to successfully apply by post
There are clearly some cons to using a physical resume, however there are ways to get around these so that you can take advantage of the pros. Below are a few ways to successfully apply via snail mail.
Apply digitally and physically
If the company has a digital application process in place, it’s worth also completing this digital process on top of sending a physical resume. This way, you won’t be seen to be trying to cheat the hiring system, while still getting noticed.
Get the recipient details right
Getting the physical address and recipient’s name right could be essential. In smaller companies, you may be able to simply mail directly to the employer, but in larger companies you may have to research into recruitment staff and find the head of this department (which may even be in a different building). To find these details, use sites such as the company website, LinkedIn and job boards.
Consider using QR codes
While you may be able to print off documents of example work to send with your resume, there may still be some online sources that you want to provide a hyperlink to. On a physical resume, it could benefit you to use a QR code. There are online tools you can use to make a QR code. This could be more convenient for the recruiter than making them type out a long URL and could further help your physical resume to stand out.
Consider the quality
Make sure that the print quality is good and that there aren’t any marks on the paper. Use a professional envelope that is the right size. You could even consider using a special paper – and even getting your resume binded (although you’ll need a large envelope for this). This could make your resume look more professional.
Set a budget and be selective
Sending resumes in the post could get expensive. Only send resumes to companies you’re truly passionate about working for. It may even be worth setting yourself a mailing budget.