Recruiters take advantage of online resume banks/databases such as CareerBuilder, Monster, and locally, Capital Area Help Wanted. Though most applicants already realize this, the resumes uploaded to online databases are actually being reviewed and considered for open positions. We occasionally receive unexpected feedback from some who’ve uploaded resumes (“why are you calling me?”, “I’m not looking for a position anymore”, “Who are you again?”, “You have the wrong phone number”, etc.) and find it inconvenient on both ends – we certainly do not want to intrude on a happily employed individual’s successful worklife and waste his or her time, while we are trying to find the highest qualified candidates for our clients.
In this industry, timing is everything. That’s why it’s important that those who utilize online resume databases take the time to ensure their accounts are activated with up-to-date information, and deactivate if they’re no longer pursuing new career opportunities.
Some additional tips for utilizing the resume banks of sites like Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com:
If you’re actively seeking a position:
- Keep track of job openings you’ve applied to by creating a handwritten list or simple spreadsheet, so that if you’re contacted by the company(s), you won’t be taken aback.
- Keep your resume updated. Ensure that your personal contact information is accurate, and update skills and experience as needed.
- If there is an area to indicate “skills” within your account profile, fill it out thoroughly. Recruiters run search queries and rely on the results to find the right candidates. So make sure not to leave any skill out (or worse, neglect the section entirely!)
If you’re no longer seeking opportunities, but you’ve registered with an online job/resume source in the past:
- we ask for your forgiveness in calling while you are no longer looking – but if your resume is still online, we still think you’re seeking new job opportunities! It never pays to be rude to a recruiter who is only trying to help you, regardless of your job search status.
- Log in to make sure your resume has either been removed or deactivated, so that you may avoid recruiter calls and unwanted emails.
Job and resume banks are very useful in the job search process, and may help you in your search. By keeping your information up to date, you increase your chances of being included in search results by recruiters!