Optimizing Your Email Signature

Optimizing Your Email Signature When I speak, I talk about a personal branding secret weapon, which is your email signature.  Its a secret because even though we all can have an email signature, many of us dont, or we mess it up.  And, its a secret because even though people see our signature all the time (or, every time they read our emails), they dont think oh, thats a personal branding ploy! Ive talked and blogged about this a lot over the last few years.  You can see some great links below.  In this post, I want to boil my thoughts down to help you optimize your email signature.  I could critique email signatures and go into more depth, but these are the four things I want you to know.  Note that I go into this in my Developing a Killer Personal Brand course on Pluralsight, which you can get for free (and if you watch it, you can get free premium upgrade on JibberJobber).  See the short video at the bottom to see how that works. First, have a clean, clear, usable name.  If your name is Robert, but NO ONE calls you Robert, then put Bob.  Or Bobby.  Or Rob.  But if no one calls you Robert, dont put Robert!  Also, unless you have a good reason to do otherwise, dont put your middle initial.  Your email signature is not a government contract put what you want people to call you!  Nothing more, nothing less. Second, have what you might call a tagline, or a value statement.  This is a jargon-free, cliche-free line that says what you do, or what value you bring to the table.  A job title is not typically the right thing to put here, unless you are comfortable assuming (or, taking upon yourself) that every stereotype that is associated with that title, then you should not use the title.  Instead of Product Manager (which can probably be interpreted ten different ways), how about something more simple and to the point, like I help companies take something from idea to product, and share it with the world.  Okay, thats kind of lame, but its different than a title.  Realize that coming up with a short, impactful tagline could take a lot more time than you think but its time well-spent! Third, have a link, or a call to action.  I have at least six websites I *could* point you to. But there is only one I want to point you to, which is JibberJobber.com.  This is my business.  This is what I do for a living.  This is my passion.  Every once in a while, I might point you to another site, but it depends on who you are (the audience) and the purpose of the message.  Combined with your tagline, this link or call to action invites the reader to take the next step, learn more, etc. Fourth, consider not having anything else.  Every single character or pixel beyond that has the potential to distract from your brand messaging.  Dont put fax numbers or street addresses dont put a quote from some smart person from 100 years ago, dont muddy up your signature with a cute drawing of a turkey, or rainbow colors.  Yes, Ive seen all of these things, and they are all distracting.  More is not more.  More can discourage people from reading any of your signature. Here are some links that you might like: I Love a Good Email Signature (2009) Email signature: Make It Count (2010) Email Signature Critique: Julianne Franke (2011) Job Search Communication, Email Signature Critique (2012) Want to watch the Developing a Killer Personal Brand course for free? Watch this video to see how to get access to this, and many more courses.  No credit card required. Optimizing Your Email Signature When I speak, I talk about a personal branding secret weapon, which is your email signature.  Its a secret because even though we all can have an email signature, many of us dont, or we mess it up.  And, its a secret because even though people see our signature all the time (or, every time they read our emails), they dont think oh, thats a personal branding ploy! Ive talked and blogged about this a lot over the last few years.  You can see some great links below.  In this post, I want to boil my thoughts down to help you optimize your email signature.  I could critique email signatures and go into more depth, but these are the four things I want you to know.  Note that I go into this in my Developing a Killer Personal Brand course on Pluralsight, which you can get for free (and if you watch it, you can get free premium upgrade on JibberJobber).  See the short video at the bottom to see how that works. First, have a clean, clear, usable name.  If your name is Robert, but NO ONE calls you Robert, then put Bob.  Or Bobby.  Or Rob.  But if no one calls you Robert, dont put Robert!  Also, unless you have a good reason to do otherwise, dont put your middle initial.  Your email signature is not a government contract put what you want people to call you!  Nothing more, nothing less. Second, have what you might call a tagline, or a value statement.  This is a jargon-free, cliche-free line that says what you do, or what value you bring to the table.  A job title is not typically the right thing to put here, unless you are comfortable assuming (or, taking upon yourself) that every stereotype that is associated with that title, then you should not use the title.  Instead of Product Manager (which can probably be interpreted ten different ways), how about something more simple and to the point, like I help companies take something from idea to product, and share it with the world.  Okay, thats kind of lame, but its different than a title.  Realize that coming up with a short, impactful tagline could take a lot more time than you think but its time well-spent! Third, have a link, or a call to action.  I have at least six websites I *could* point you to. But there is only one I want to point you to, which is JibberJobber.com.  This is my business.  This is what I do for a living.  This is my passion.  Every once in a while, I might point you to another site, but it depends on who you are (the audience) and the purpose of the message.  Combined with your tagline, this link or call to action invites the reader to take the next step, learn more, etc. Fourth, consider not having anything else.  Every single character or pixel beyond that has the potential to distract from your brand messaging.  Dont put fax numbers or street addresses dont put a quote from some smart person from 100 years ago, dont muddy up your signature with a cute drawing of a turkey, or rainbow colors.  Yes, Ive seen all of these things, and they are all distracting.  More is not more.  More can discourage people from reading any of your signature. Here are some links that you might like: I Love a Good Email Signature (2009) Email signature: Make It Count (2010) Email Signature Critique: Julianne Franke (2011) Job Search Communication, Email Signature Critique (2012) Want to watch the Developing a Killer Personal Brand course for free? Watch this video to see how to get access to this, and many more courses.  No credit card required. Optimizing Your Email Signature When I speak, I talk about a personal branding secret weapon, which is your email signature.  Its a secret because even though we all can have an email signature, many of us dont, or we mess it up.  And, its a secret because even though people see our signature all the time (or, every time they read our emails), they dont think oh, thats a personal branding ploy! Ive talked and blogged about this a lot over the last few years.  You can see some great links below.  In this post, I want to boil my thoughts down to help you optimize your email signature.  I could critique email signatures and go into more depth, but these are the four things I want you to know.  Note that I go into this in my Developing a Killer Personal Brand course on Pluralsight, which you can get for free (and if you watch it, you can get free premium upgrade on JibberJobber).  See the short video at the bottom to see how that works. First, have a clean, clear, usable name.  If your name is Robert, but NO ONE calls you Robert, then put Bob.  Or Bobby.  Or Rob.  But if no one calls you Robert, dont put Robert!  Also, unless you have a good reason to do otherwise, dont put your middle initial.  Your email signature is not a government contract put what you want people to call you!  Nothing more, nothing less. Second, have what you might call a tagline, or a value statement.  This is a jargon-free, cliche-free line that says what you do, or what value you bring to the table.  A job title is not typically the right thing to put here, unless you are comfortable assuming (or, taking upon yourself) that every stereotype that is associated with that title, then you should not use the title.  Instead of Product Manager (which can probably be interpreted ten different ways), how about something more simple and to the point, like I help companies take something from idea to product, and share it with the world.  Okay, thats kind of lame, but its different than a title.  Realize that coming up with a short, impactful tagline could take a lot more time than you think but its time well-spent! Third, have a link, or a call to action.  I have at least six websites I *could* point you to. But there is only one I want to point you to, which is JibberJobber.com.  This is my business.  This is what I do for a living.  This is my passion.  Every once in a while, I might point you to another site, but it depends on who you are (the audience) and the purpose of the message.  Combined with your tagline, this link or call to action invites the reader to take the next step, learn more, etc. Fourth, consider not having anything else.  Every single character or pixel beyond that has the potential to distract from your brand messaging.  Dont put fax numbers or street addresses dont put a quote from some smart person from 100 years ago, dont muddy up your signature with a cute drawing of a turkey, or rainbow colors.  Yes, Ive seen all of these things, and they are all distracting.  More is not more.  More can discourage people from reading any of your signature. Here are some links that you might like: I Love a Good Email Signature (2009) Email signature: Make It Count (2010) Email Signature Critique: Julianne Franke (2011) Job Search Communication, Email Signature Critique (2012) Want to watch the Developing a Killer Personal Brand course for free? Watch this video to see how to get access to this, and many more courses.  No credit card required.

10 Tricks to Save Thousands on Your Car

10 Tricks to Save Thousands on Your Car Cars can be costly investments, but with a little foresight and tips you can seriously save on exactly how much you invest. For starters, most people don’t know the various dashboard light meaningsâ€"and they dont need to. Consider it a sign that somethings not right, and just like your own well-being, its important to get things checked as quickly as possible. Ignoring problems is a surefire way to progress to a costly car repair. Here are ten ways to save big on car repair: Get regular maintenance checks. You wouldn’t skip seeing the doctor for years, so why treat your car in a similar manner? Get a maintenance checkup at least once per year. Rotate your tires. This should be included in maintenance checks, but if not make sure it gets done. Tires are expensive, and the best way to preserve them is via rotation. Put the right gas in your car. There really is a difference between premium and regular, though not all cars require premium. However, if yours does, consider it an investment that will save you big bucks in the future. Keep your vehicle clean and dry. A car wash doesn’t only make your car look better, but it can also preserve the paint. Dust and grime can wear away at paint jobs, and if you notice bird droppings clean them up immediately. It’s a material that’s especially acidic. Think twice before taking your own car on a road trip. The more you use your car, the more wear and tear it will sustain. If you’d like to keep your car working better longer, consider renting a car for longer road trips. Avoid the sun. Whenever possible, park your car in the shade or a garage. Sun exposure can do serious damage to cars, especially during the hot summer months. Avoiding it is the best way to preserve your paint job. Practice good driving skills. Sudden braking and speeding up puts unnecessary wear on your vehicle. Try to maintain a fluid speed and give your vehicle plenty of time to brake. If you think of your vehicle like you do your body, you’ll get the right idea. Use seat covers. Whether you have cloth or leather seats, they put up with a lot of abuse. Seat covers are an inexpensive way to preserve them. Add a steering wheel cover to your vehicle. Your hands carry grime, sunscreen, sweat, and more on them. Steering wheels are surprisingly expensive to replace, so protect your steering wheel. Plan ahead if you have a luxury car. A luxury car isnt just expensive to buy but is also expensive to maintain. Make sure you have the financial well-being to afford the upkeep. Your car is your independence and sometimes your home away from home on long commutes. Safeguard it and do what you can to preserve its value.

3 Things You Should Know Personal Credit Cards Company Expenses

3 Things You Should Know Personal Credit Cards Company Expenses It is common to incur business expenses when you’re working. Expenses can range from small charges such as a taxi ride, to big-ticket items such as a business trip halfway across the world. In the absence of other options such as petty cash funds or corporate credit cards, you may be expected to cover business expenses out of your own pocket and be reimbursed later. While smaller expenses are typically not an issue, you may not be in the financial position to fork out large sums of money upfront. In such a situation, charging business expenses to your personal credit card ends up being the alternative. However, before you start charging company expenses to your own credit card, here are 3 things you should do: Check the expense reimbursement policy Every company has its own set of rules. In order to ensure that your expenses are duly paid, it is important to follow company guidelines and check if there are any limitations. For example, some companies do not allow employees to make their own arrangements for business trips and ask that all bookings be made through the travel desk. Being aware of the policies and procedures can save you from any hassles with the finance team when it’s time for expense claims. Make the most of your credit card benefits Once you’ve cleared personal credit card usage against company policy, you need to pick the right cards to get more value out of your transactions. If you’re going for a business trip and can book your own flight and accommodation, you could make use of credit cards that offer miles, limousine transfers, concierge services, airport lounges or hotel upgrades. For instance, the Citi Prestige Card  comes with travel benefits that will make your overall experience quite comfortable, including airport lounge access and limousine transfers. It also offers a decent number of miles per dollar spent. However, if you’re most concerned about miles, the  UOB PRVI Miles Card  is ideal for you. A little research can go a long way in finding the best credit card for your needs. Keep track of your credit limit Although the thought of gaining credit card rewards is tempting, it is important not to go overboard. Take note of the credit limit prescribed by your credit card provider before charging expensive office equipment or a big company dinner to your card. You should be left with enough credit balance to cover your personal expenses. After you’ve checked all these points, you’re all set to make use of your credit card for company expenses! To make claims easier, keep a list of the business expenses you charge to your card so you don’t mix them up with your personal expenses. Most importantly, remember to pay your credit card bills on time to avoid unnecessary charges.

Top 10 Things NOT to Include on Your CV

Top 10 Things NOT to Include on Your CV There can be no denying the fact that we live in an increasingly tough world nowadays. Increasing populations across the world and rising rates of unemployment mean that more and more people are applying for the same types of jobs you are interested in. This means it is truly imperative for you to take the matter of your CV as seriously as possible. There are certain things that should not show up on a CV in order for it to be an effective reference piece, as opposed to a document that has the employer run in the other direction from you. The following are 10 things you should never include on your CV: 1) An objective that makes no sense or is completely insane: A crazed objective will have the employer not take you seriously and in the end have your CV lying in the comfort of a rubbish bin. RELATED:  How to Ensure Your  Resume  Goes in the  Trash 2) Irrelevant job experience: Having times of the past that you truly enjoyed is a nice memory to cherish. If it has nothing to do with the job you are applying for,  it’s best to leave it out and focus on the jobs that have direct experience with your current interest for work. 3) Achievements that are not exactly achievements: Because you were the Secondary School Team Captain is not an achievement relevant to the job you are applying for! Professional achievements or even community service are notable achievements. 4) A physical description: A description about what you look like or even images of yourself should never be included on a CV. It isn’t professional and will be viewed as a mockery if it includes this information. RELATED:  What  Recruiters  Really Want to See on Your  CV 5) Proper hobby listing: If you have hobbies that will have you viewed in a strange light, they might be better kept to yourself. Common hobbies of reading or writing, even working out are acceptable choices. Hobby lists should be kept short and precise. 6) Private information: Whether it is your religious belief or your sexual orientation these are things that are irrelevant on a CV and are best kept to yourself. There is no reason to put this information in the open for observation. 7) Bad grammar: Bad grammar immediately shows carelessness and laziness. The last thing you want a potential employer to feel you are will be verified immediately once a mistake like this is found. RELATED:  Why Good  Grammar  (and Teeth) are Important for Getting a Job 8) Contact information that will raise flags: If you have an inappropriate email address then simply don’t use it. Or if it is essential to have this information included, create a new one via the use of Google to have an appropriate one on hand. An inappropriate email will only bring you attention and not the kind that will contribute to a path of success. 9) Social Security Number/National Insurance Number: While in the world of information this is the biggest factor that can lead to endless scams, this is not the information that you supply on a CV ever. It could be left out or disregarded and if the wrong person should get this information then you could be in quite a bit of trouble. Have it on hand for the employer, don’t feel the need to hand it out initially. 10) Colourful text and creative fonts: No employer wants to have a staring match with your CV to try and figure out what it says. Nor do they want to have a potential seizure due to the colourful daze you have compiled in your information. Keep it simple and normal and stick to the pure facts. So there you have it. There is a general guide of what no to do when you are truly pursuing a job. It is all for the most part common sense, but sometimes common sense can be overlooked. The first impression you set for your potential employer is what will get you in the door, the CV will get you inside to make an impression, and from there it is entirely in your hands to make it happen. Don’t feel intimidated, the world is a place of vast personality and profession, go for a job that suits you, and make the impression that is needed to make it happen. Author: Richard McMunn is the founder of JobsInLancashire.com; a online jobs service provider in the UK. Richard has a real passion for helping people prepare for and pass tough recruitment processes and assessment centres in order to secure their dream job. Find them on Google Plus here.

How to Appeal to Executive Recruiters If Youre Relocating Out of State

How to Appeal to Executive Recruiters If You're Relocating Out of State Relocating to a new city, no matter how much excitement is involved, tends to be a chaotic experience, and when you’re job searching on top of that, stress can reach sky-high levels.Finding secure employment before you make a big move can prove strenuous.evalEmployers and recruiters are often hesitant to make offers to out-of-state candidates, as being nonnative can complicate certain areas of the hiring process.Especially when a senior-level role needs to be filled, recruiters work tirelessly to vet candidates before deciding who will be the best fit. It can be difficult convincing a recruiter you’re the best person for the job when you’re not even in the same physical location yet.The good news is that there are strategies to help appeal to executive recruiters when you’re trying to simultaneously relocate and change careers.Here are a few tips to get you on the right track:1. Demonstrate to Recruiters That You Are Serious About MovingRecruiters worry that they’ll waste t ime interviewing and vetting an out-of-state candidate who ends up never actually making the move, so it’s imperative to clarify that you’re absolutely serious about moving.Your cover letter is an excellent outlet to demonstrate your commitment to relocating right from the start.It helps to clarify that you’re planning on moving to the town or city regardless of if you are hired for the specific role-in-question, as this illustrates to the recruiter that you’re moving for more than a hypothetical reason.evalYou don’t have to dive into a tremendous amount of personal details, but shed some light on your motivation to relocate to that specific city. It could be that you want to be closer to family, the city is a hub for your industry, or your significant other is transferring to a job there.The point is to emphasize there is no chance you’d change your mind, regardless of whether you get an offer.2. Be Open-Minded to Alternative Positions and Salary DiscussionsIf your hear t is set on a specific city, it never hurts to be open-minded to various positions, even if you are hoping to secure a certain role. The same sentiment rings true for your salary.While it can be disheartening to make less than you are making currently, sometimes you have to settle on short-term sacrifice for long-term gain.evalWhen you’re moving to a city that is highly competitive for your niche, remember there is still a great deal of merit in making valuable connections that will allow you to one day move up or transfer to a position and pay grade that is more ideal.3. Be Strategic When Sending Your Resume to Executive Recruitment FirmsBecause recruiters can be caught off guard by resumes that list addresses that aren’t local, it’s important to be strategic in how you handle this. You may want to leave the address off altogether.In fact, with advancements in telecommunications and technology in our digital world, it’s becoming increasingly common to leave addresses off re sumes.You can also consider writing down that you are relocating to the area by a specific date in place of the address.The point isn’t to mislead the recruiters; it’s to explain your situation and demonstrate your value before the hiring professional can make a judgement based purely on your location.While on the subject, take time to update and revise your resume so that it’s carefully tailored to the position and the company you’re applying for, as a personal touch makes a much bigger impact than a one-size-fits-all approach.You also want to familiarize yourself with common resume mistakes executive recruiters notice, and triple-check yours for errors before sending it out. Remember, a resume is your first chance to highlight your attention to detail.4. Consider Paying for Your Own Relocation FeesOne of the primary reasons why recruiters are reluctant to hire out-of-state job seekers is that the hiring company either can’t or won’t pay for relocation fees.Ideally when you relocate for a job, you’ll be offered relocation assistance to help cover some or all of your moving expenses, but if this isn’t a benefit that the company-in-question offers, you may want to think about covering your own costs.evalIf you’re planning on moving whether you can find a job first or not, you most likely are already prepared to take responsibility for all of the relocation fees.However, if you were hoping to secure employment first, you may be able to sway favor in your direction by letting recruiters know you don’t expect any assistance when moving. Budget-wise, this puts you on the same playing field as local candidates.5. Assert Your Willingness to TravelOne of the major downsides when recruiters consider non-local applicants is that meeting them in person can be tricky.While technology has made virtual interviews much more accessible with applications such as Skype, many recruiters and employers still heavily value the one-on-one interview dynamic, espec ially when interviewing for executive roles.To avoid this becoming an issue, make it clear to recruiters that you are able and willing to travel to interview in person on your own dime.evalSimilarly, keep in mind that most positions need to be filled quickly, so make it clear that you would be able to make it to the interview within a short window of time. After all, you can’t expect them to hold the position open while you make arrangements.Deliberately asserting that you’re willing to spend your time and resources shows recruiters that you respect the interview process and are willing to go above and beyond for a chance to join the company.6. Leverage or Establish Local NetworksIn the business world, networking plays a tremendous role in garnering opportunities. If you know anyone in the area who could possibly help get your foot in the door somewhere, leverage that contact efficiently.If you don’t know anyone, connect with people on LinkedIn (or any valuable social media pl atform) who live in the area you’re moving to and are also involved with your industry.You can even look for groups that are dedicated to the alumni of the college you went to, and try to network with those alumni who are also working in the city you’re moving to.Likewise, be bold and get in touch with the companies you’d love to work for directly. It certainly can’t hurt, and connecting on social media before you move could make a positive impression. Remember, any connection has the possibility to support your job search.Good luck!It’s understandable why recruiters feel more comfortable working with in-state candidates, but at the end of the day, their priority is finding a qualified candidate who can easily harmonize with the company’s culture.If you can demonstrate your skills and experience, make it clear you can be relied on to actually relocate, and be flexible in your job search, you should be on your way to landing a job in a brand new place.Good luck!

7 Tips for Creating Managing Your Personal Brand - CareerEnlightenment.com

2. Identify Your Brand.Whether you like it or not, your personal brand is one of the first things a potential employer notices when considering you for a job position. It’s more than the 5-7 bullets highlighted on your resume it’s your character, the way you dress, how you carry yourself and so much more.This brand should showcase your interests and personality, while speaking to your skills, perspectives and strengths. It should also contain a specific message and speak to your suitability for a particular position, company or industry.How do you want your potential employer and others to perceive you? Take the time to self-reflect and determine what exactly it is that you want to be known for personally and professionally.Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will your personal brand.3. Have Fun With It.Developing your own website is a creative and fun way to offer professional information, control the message and to get your personal brand out there. You can also use this site to showcase your official logo or link to a number of web pages and documents such as your resume, LinkedIn profile, notable intern work and more.Thousands of professionals are also leveraging personalized websites, with a personalized domain name, like .ME, to control their online reputation and create a captivating online identity that caters to their unique branding, personality, professional interests.Explore your options and decide what’s right for you. The more time and effort you invest in your personal brand, the better your job leads will be.4. Make Sure the Social Media Stars Align.When you’re building a personal brand, remember that all publicity is not good publicity.And with social media platforms emerging as the sole resource for sharing your online identity with the world, you may have less control than you think â€" yup, those old college Facebook photos are just one Google search away from your potential employer.Read the fine print before creating any soci al media account as elusive privacy settings or open controls may fail to give you complete authority of your online persona and personal brand.If you have several social media accounts already in place, control your personal brand by updating your bio and privacy settings. It’s also vital that you watch what you say at all times â€" if you don’t want your potential employer reading it, it’s probably not worth sharing.5. Practice What You Preach.Think your personal branding journey is complete once you’ve created a website and updated your social profiles? Think again.Practice what you preach by becoming your personal brand. Do you claim to be the next Beyoncé of PR? Then you better join several PR organizations, be able to blurt out the top 10 most successful PR campaigns of 2014 and have a few noteworthy industry internships under your belt.6. Create Opportunities for Yourself.As much as you’d probably like your personal brands to do the work for you, it’s simply just the beginning of this journey. Create opportunities by networking and attending relevant events in your industry. Your dream job may be one resume submission away, but you’ll still have to utilize your contacts (along with your personal brand) to go get it.7. Continue to Update Your Personal Brand.Once you land that dream job, continue to mold and evolve your personal brand to fit your changing skill sets, interests, experiences, and goals as they grow over time. Keep in mind that this brand should remain fluid and relevant to your industry as its sole purpose is to help with the advancement of your career.

Owens Community College Resume Writing Services

Owens Community College Resume Writing ServicesWriting an online resume is a breeze if you find an experienced professional resume writer. There are several places to turn for these jobs. You can find a number of online sites where resumes can be written for a specific price and some free resume services that are useful for the job-seeker.If you want to be sure that you write your resume in the correct way, check your writing in the first place with the same grammar and spelling as the English version of your native language. Check the grammar and punctuation to make sure that you spell every word correctly. This tip is especially important when writing a paper for a test that you are going to have shortly after starting your job search.The proper grammar and spelling on a resume are vital to make it readable to recruiters, and it is very hard to attract attention to mistakes that can be made by those who are not experienced in the English language. In any case, most recruiter can ma ke a minimum of two preliminary tests on the resume before they are sent to a prospective employer. This is the best way to avoid potential issues and delay.It is easier to be honest on a resume that you could write yourself, but the more professional resume writer can be more likely to leave some comments that make you stand out from the rest. The job profile may be pretty short, but the keywords in it are long. Having such a resume could lead to many opportunities in your career path. Resumes should be written with a professional touch to attract the right kind of attention.A lot of employers that seek resume writers from Owens Community College do not necessarily need a new hire. Such candidates can be trained to do resume writing and there are very few jobs that cannot be taken by someone who has done their school resume writing. But those who are going to the college as a fresher or a transfer do have to take some time to learn the process and the formalities involved in doing such a job. All applicants are required to fill out a form that states what will be included in the resume and how it is going to be used, as well as how the application has been filled out.The forms are available at the college itself, and the same website at which resumes are submitted, and for the students to complete. All applications are checked by the college admissions office and at least one copy is sent to the job-seeker.Students who do not have an interest in a particular career or area of study will find a college resume writing service to be of immense help as they can use it to give the best possible writing for their resume. It is possible to improve their chances of getting hired significantly, if they just let a professional do the work for them.Though it may seem to some like a waste of time, it is much better than sending in a resume to someone that does not care enough to even bother about what is written, and who may be busy looking for someone else to hire. What if the job seeker does not get the job they are after? Now that seems like a waste of time!