I’ve written before that thicker files usually equal less competitive college applicants. The student who insists on sending a resume, extra letters of recommendation, copies of awards, and other materials the application doesn’t ask for isn’t extending more effort—he’s just sending more stuff. And more stuff doesn’t make your application any stronger. In fact, it usually hurts your chances.
I’ve experienced this firsthand while reviewing job applications for our open positions at Collegewise.
We’ve taken a lot of time to write our job postings. And we give clear, explicit instructions about exactly how to apply—we ask for a personalized cover letter that helps us get to know the applicant, and a resume. That’s it.
Still, many applicants ignore those instructions and send along letters of recommendation, lists of published works, copies of articles they’ve written, descriptions of courses they’ve taught. Some emails show up with as many as eight attachments.
On the surface, those applicants might seem like they’re putting in more effort. But they’re really just sending more stuff.
Why couldn’t they mention in their cover letter that they have letters of recommendation they can share? Why wouldn’t they list on their resumes the published works or courses they’ve taught? Why wouldn’t they use the avenues we’ve invited them to use to present themselves clearly, honestly and proudly?
Sure, it might be easier for them to just attach documents they’ve already produced than it is to make a special cover letter or resume just for us. But it’s not necessarily easier for me.
And almost without exception, applicant emails containing eight attachments also include impersonal, recycled cover letters.
I’m not picking on job applicants—I appreciate their interest in us. And I sympathize with job hunters because the process can be demoralizing. But I’m sharing this here because I think these examples may help both college and job applicants.
Follow the directions. Focus your effort into the channels they’ve invited you to use, not to invent a way that works better for you. Extra effort is almost always a good thing. Extra (uninvited stuff) usually isn’t.