Ask the Hiring Manager

QUESTION:

Your works have been a great help so far, thank-you. I graduated last December with a Business Degree. I moved away with my husband and started a job in January at a bank as a teller. I quit that job last month because I really want to look for something else than a teller, I have been working in a bank all through college.

When I first started looking for jobs last year, I sent my resume to all the banks here in KY. I did follow them up with a phone call and got two interviews out of the process. Since I have quit my job, I called all the banks again to see if there were any openings and there aren't any, but they all say that they will keep my information on hand.

My old resume was very poor. I didn't understand the great importance of your resume, and I really didn't know how to right one. Through your help I have written a resume that I am really proud of.

Here is my question (finally!)- I want to send my updated resume to all the banks that have my old resume. There is an additional work experience on there and it is much better. I'll say something like, I know there are no openings right now but here is a copy of my current resume. But what would be the right words for something like that, and would that be acceptable?

From: Leona Morelock, Recent Grad, Tennessee Technological University

ANSWER FROM BRIAN KRUEGER:

Hi Leona -

It would be appropriate to send your updated resume to all of the contacts. Although they typically say they will "keep it on file," there is nothing better to keep it fresh than to send a new copy when it is updated.

And if your previous resume left something to be desired, all the more reason for doing so.

I would phrase your cover letter something like this:

"Attached is a copy of my updated resume. Please note that since we last spoke, I have additional work experience, which is detailed in the resume. Specifically, I have worked as ..."

Then, as always, make sure you follow up with a phone call. This simple extra step will typically increase your "hit" percentage by tenfold.

Good luck to you!