Resumes in Color

More than 98% of all resumes are still produced in black-and-white, but the day is coming when resumes will be in color. I came across this interesting site, FreePrinters.com, that offers companies a free printer if they agree to purchase their printing supplies through their company.
I don't know much about them, though.

I do know that you can often get a free inkjet printer with the purchase of new Apple computers, so be sure to ask about that if you're shopping around for a new computer.

Are you doing any resumes in color? I'd like to see your samples. E-mail me.

JobsbyFax.com

Going through an old issue (Jan/Feb 2006) of Office Solutions magazine, I came across an item about "JobsByFax"), a company that offers bulk resume distribution via fax. I looked it up online and was surprised to find it still in business, given that resume distribution via e-mail is now the norm. (They claim that faxing your resume to a prospective employer is a competitive advantage -- your resume will be "opened" because it comes through that way). I didn't read through the site enough to find out if they get permission from the employers to receive the faxes (although I did see that you can add or remove your fax number for free).

I found the site founder's story very interesting. Apparently, they used to fax 5,000+ companies each day with an advertising-supported "comic" of the day. But when the rules changed about unsolicited faxes, they had to change their business model. The question I have is -- why didn't they just go back to their existing list of 5,000+ companies and ask them to "opt-in" to receiving the faxes?

Has anyone used this service for their clients? I'd be interested in hearing your results.

Get Publicity - Ideas from CDI

Since my background is in Public Relations originally, I'm a big proponent of resume writers using publicity to increase their profile among prospective clients -- especially since advertising is so expensive.

I was reminded that Career Directors International has an extensive resource section for resume writers seeking publicity on their website.

Here are just a few ideas:

1. What is International Update Your Resume Month.

2. What is International Update Your References Week.

3. Popularity and acceptance of video resumes.

4. Challenges of resume writing for job seekers with new OFCCP rulings.

5. Cum laude can get your resume kicked out – resumes and SPAM.

And CDI's Laura DeCarlo reminds me that she is always willing to be interviewed as a second source for any stories you're involved with. Visit the CDI website for her contact information.

Thank You

Send a thank-you note when prospective clients request information (even if it's just an e-mail thank you). Send thank you's even to those prospects who decide not to take advantage of your services.

See if you can collect some information from prospects when they first contact you. At a minimum, you should get their name, phone number, and e-mail address. This will enable you to follow up with them until they make a decision about whether to retain your services.