Follow up your online job application with snail mail

Job searching almost exclusively exists in the virtual world nowadays. You upload your resume and cover letter in an email to the employer, and wait to hear back. But it can be daunting to think about how many other people have applied to this same job online. Aside from showcasing your exceptional skills that are pertinent to the job position, there is another simple way that you can stand out: snail mail.

Follow up your online job application with a printed out version of your cover letter and resume. Sending off these documents in the mail shows that you’re a candidate who is willing to go the extra mile, and it could be the push that the employer needs to contact you.

Here are some guidelines to adhere to when you mail out your resume and cover letter:

Choose the right paper: The type of paper that you print your resume and cover letter on can say just as much as what’s written. Opt for thick, premium bright white paper. A professional grade paper shows your potential employer that you know how to make things look good, and you have an eye for professionalism.

Double check font and size: Your resume and cover letter should match in terms of typeface and font size. If they’re two very different fonts, you can come across as disorganized or non-detail-oriented.

Address to the hiring manager: In order to ensure that your resume and cover letter end up in the right hands, address the envelope directly to the hiring manager. However, if you’re unable to find out the name of the hiring manager, address the envelope to the “Human Resources Department.” You can include a note inside printed on personalized stationery that asks the recipient to forward your resume and cover letter to the appropriate hiring manager for the position.

Select the appropriate envelope: You don’t want your documents to reach the hiring manager all crumpled or folded over. Therefore, you’ll want to choose an envelope that is just slightly larger than your resume and cover letter. Envelopes that are 9 inches by 12 inches are best to use for your documents because then you won’t have to fold them.

Follow instructions: Make sure that you’re including all of the necessary papers in the envelope. For instance, some jobs might require anything from portfolios to writing samples. Look over the requirements of the job posting before sending off your resume. However, you should never include extra documentation that the employer didn’t ask for in the first place.