Simple question regarding resumés

White95Max · 05-11-06, 03:48

I'm going to send out a resumé tomorrow morning, and I was wondering what people thought about this question...

Should I send it out in a standard #10 envelope or go out and buy a full-size envelope so that I don't have to fold the paper? The job is for a college internship and the resume + cover letter amounts to 3 pages (8.5 x 11). I already put the sheets in a standard envelope, but it just didn't feel right folding the sheets. I tried not to crease them any more than absolutely necessary, but it just seems to me like the cover letter and resumé would look better if it were all crisp sheets of paper.

"Responsibilities include regular sampling and sorting of Eurasian water milfoil and propagation and release of biological control insects. Specific duties include sampling milfoil from a canoe, sorting samples in the lab, monitoring and maintaining aquarium conditions, meticulous data tracking, entering data into spreadsheets, creating a final report."

I think it sounds like a neat job. Unfortunately I won't be able to take my vacation to Oregon/Washington in June like I had been planning for the last couple weeks.

Oh well.

truzoom · 05-11-06, 04:32

I think anybody hiring is going to look more at the presentation of the employee rather than the resume. But if it helps you sleep better at night, throw it in a full sized envelope-- although that doesn't guarantee the mailman won't bend it.

Good luck.

jsatek · 05-11-06, 04:35

They will all ask for a Word doc also. Dont worry about it.

Spilchy · 05-11-06, 05:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by truzoom

I think anybody hiring is going to look more at the presentation of the employee rather than the resume.

I disagree. We've thrown out resumes without interviewing because of resume presentation and worst of all, errors in the grammar / spelling / formatting.

If you have to snail mail it, I'd send it in a large envelope so you don't fold it. I would send it in an envelope that matches the paper of your cover letter and resume. Do NOT hand write on the envelope, instead print out a label for your return address and the address of the potential employer.

Your local Staples, Office Max, etc... will have resume packets that include all matching paper and envelopes for sending it out.

Also, stick with bright white or a very light cream in a nice weight stock.

If you e-mail it, attach the resume in Word with an appropriately formatted cover letter in the e-mail body, not as an attachment.

Good luck Paul! It sounds right up your alley! Don't worry about the vacation, you'll have years to enjoy them.

White95Max · 05-11-06, 05:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spilchy

I disagree. We've thrown out resumes without interviewing because of resume presentation and worst of all, errors in the grammar / spelling / formatting.

Well you won't have to worry about errors in grammar and spelling with me.

Did you throw out resumes due to the sheets being folded into a traditional envelope? Are we talking about a huge stack of resumes here? Last I heard, there was one other applicant for the position, and they want 2 interns. I have several years experience working with invasive species, including Eurasian water milfoil, and I currently work in the UWSP Aquatics Lab where the research would be based. The deadline is tomorrow, which is of course a bit inconvenient since I was just made aware of this position this afternoon.

Spilchy · 05-11-06, 05:48

No Maxy, the folding wasn't a problem, rather improper formatting, style and the grammar / spelling issue. Yeah, we went through a few dozen.

With one other applicant, you'll be golden! But I still would work to put out a slam dunk resume presentation. If anything, it'll be good experience for the "real thing" after college.

Again, good luck!

chpsk8 · 05-11-06, 06:19

I use full size envelopes, and very heavy special resume paper that you can find at Office Max. Its best to present yourself as a detail oriented professional. I also send a thank you follow up letter the same day as the interview. I thank them for the opportunity to interview with them.
My wife recently got a new job using that technique and they said it was a great touch and swayed them to hire her for her profesionalism over a person that had more experience.

truzoom · 05-11-06, 10:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spilchy

I disagree. We've thrown out resumes without interviewing because of resume presentation and worst of all, errors in the grammar / spelling / formatting.

Well of course, Spilch

But this is Maxy, so spelling/grammar/formatting aren't even a worry

Griz · 05-12-06, 10:18

If the internship is in your area:

Dress up reasonably well and drop the resume off yourself. Your resume and/or CV should include contact information, so instead of putting it in an envelope use a cover.

This way you display an iterest above and beyond everyone who just drops a resume in the mail, and there's a better chance they'll be able to put a face to the resume when reviewed. Of course there's the bonus of saving yourself from the envelope/delivery dilemma.

tanha · 05-12-06, 12:04

That's true, dropping it off in person would be best. Otherwise, I'm not sure if I'd rather fold it or leave it flat. I'm not sure I trust the postal service not to bend a large, flimsy envelope. Maybe FedEx would be a good idea.

Good luck getting that position! Sounds very similar to an internship I had in college with the Fish and Wildlife Service. That was a great summer, I spent it on a boat studying the spread of exotic invasive aquatic plants. Of course, Eurasian watermilfoil has been in the States for so long, it's not considered an exotic by some!

PrinzII · 05-12-06, 12:24

Good luck, Maxy. Think you'll find out why we get Zebra Mussels down here as well?

White95Max · 05-13-06, 05:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrinzII

Good luck, Maxy. Think you'll find out why we get Zebra Mussels down here as well?

Zebra mussels are all over the place. Why are they down there...because the water temperature and conditions are favorable, and there is plenty of food in the water. The problem now is trying to keep boaters from transporting them into inland lakes. That's what I was doing a lot of for the last two summers when I worked for Sea Grant. Trying to inform boaters that they need to check for zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil on their boats and equipment before launching at another lake/river.

Prinz, you should be concerned about the Asian carp that are knocking on Chicago's doorstep. Got an interest in aerial bowfishing?

It's becoming more of an interest for people near the Mississippi River and other tributaries where the Asian carp have infested. You sit at the back of the boat as it's being driven, and when the carp jump out of the water, you release the arrow and knock them right out of the air.