ERD Essay, Research Paper

ELECTRONIC RESUME

DATABASES

THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD TO OPTIMIZING YOUR CAREER

Introduction

Databases of a New Decade

As the day goes on, one grows anxious to hear the ring of the phone, the sound of a fax, or the knock on the door saying “we want you”. As easy as it may seem, getting on the right track to pursue a career is a long and treacherous process. Companies just do not have hours at a time to sit down and study each person’s profile. They need something quick and easy to access. That is where the World Wide Web comes into play. The thought of site where thousands of qualified applicants could be accessed with just the touch of a keystroke. An electronic resume database, a database or index of resumes that can be viewed by an employer seeking to hire someone for his company. These databases are continuing to grow more popular as we speak. They have become the ultimate source for anyone looking to expand his horizons in the working world. The focus of this report is to inform the struggling job seeker that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Through these database services, one has the opportunity to be found out by thousands of big name companies. One might think that no big company is going to actually contact me just by looking at my resume on the Internet. As odd as it may seem, most big companies do recruiting on the net. From MCI to Microsoft, one could work anyone of these big companies-just by posting himself on the web. In this report, a series of 5 resume databases will be discussed. The summary of each database will include:

1)The name, address, and contact information for each database.

2)The geographical scope of each database.

3)The number of companies that subscribe to each database.

4)The resume formats preferred by each database.

5)The fees and services of each database.

The report will provide any curious job seeker with information about what employers are looking for in an electronic resume and what the costs are to get started. It will also give one the opportunity to find out what services can be provided by each company. Such services may include building your resume for free or advertising your resume on its own web page. Without a doubt, one will come away from reading this report convinced – ready to start the new age of posting resumes through an electronic resume database.

Electronic Resume Database Overview

What Database should you choose?

The Monster Board

There are so many databases made available to one on the Internet, making it difficult for a job seeker to decide which database to do to business with. The first electronic resume database that I checked out was The Monster Board. Probably the most well known ERD on the Internet, this company has a lot to offer. The Monster Board is located at 5 Clocktower Place, Suite 500 in Maryland, MA. One can go right to their web page as well www.monsterboard.com. The Monster Board’s Personal Job Search Agent works day and night to find job seekers the right job.

There are more than 30,000 job listings represented by big name companies right at one’s fingertips. In fact, one out of every four people who submit his resume to The Monster Board receives a job offer. Furthermore, over 50,000 companies worldwide subscribe to The Monster Board. Since there are so many companies searching for qualified job seekers, the chance of a company discovering oneself is reasonably high. All one has to do is submit a resume. One can just paste his resume to the board. However, if the job seeker does not currently know how to make one himself or have one made, resumes can be made built by The Monster Board by filling in the appropriate information. There are no specific formats that are preferred by the database. The resume can be anywhere from 1 page to 10 pages. A job seeker has to be thinking all of this advertising cost tons of money. Guess what, the cost is absolutely free to post a resume. Being that this is a free database, this advertising would be best suited for any struggling job seeker to get started without having to pay to an arm and a leg.

The JobExchange

The next electronic resume database that I did some research on is called The JobExchange. This company also wished to bring job seekers and companies together. They are located 23461 South Pointe Drive, Suite 375 in Laguna Hills, CA. The JobExchange matches one with a company very carefully, avoiding misunderstanding of terminology.

There are more than 27,000 job occupations waiting to be chosen from. The JobExchange allows one to log on to either of two databases that post one’s resume. More than 30,000 companies worldwide that subscribe to this database. With this vast amount of employers, one also has a reasonable chance to get a good job-may a job that one never thought was attainable. With the click of a mouse, one can make his resume available to this database. There are no specific requirements to posting a resume; however, there is one catch. This company is not 100% free. One can submit his resume, but only part of it will be displayed. In order to have one’s resume in full view, he must pay $22.00 every year to keep it that way. There are also other services offered. One can post a still color photo for $5 a page, post a 60 second video that can be viewed for $75, or an 30 second audio track for $40. Whether one wants to be really creative, these services are unique and can sometimes help an employer make up his mind. This database is also recommendable to advertise with, yet they are not totally free. Their web address is www.jobexchange.com.

A ADVANCED Resume Writing Service

The third electronic resume to be reviewed is the A ADVANCED Resume Writing Service. This company has been around for a long time. Located on 1900 E. Golf Road, #M100 in Schaumbaurg, IL, the A ADVANCED Resume Writing Service has been serving job seekers for more than 14 years with over 9,000 satisfied.

There are more than 5,000 job listings represented by big name companies whom are looking for qualified personnel. More than 2,700 companies subscribe to the A ADVANCED Resume Writing Service. This company is much smaller than most others, but appeals more to the executive job seeker looking to make his big career move, which makes it unique. One may post his resume, but they will have to approve it, if they think it needs work-they will contact the job seeker to make improvements for a small fee. That fee is to purchase a book that sell Top Secret Resumes and Cover Letters for $11.65. They also offer other services such as interviews and one-on-one resume coaching, which cost $25 for 15 minutes. This company seems to be well established; however, anyone who has little job experience should avoid the A Advanced Resume Writing Service. Their web address is www.icw.com/america/advanced.html.

Resume Factory

The fourth electronic resume database to be uncovered is the Resume Factory. This extremely small company does not have an a whole lot to it. Located at 1030 E. El Camino Real, Suite #243 in Sunnyvale, CA., they specialize in creating perfect resumes.

They will be able to send your resume to over 500 companies by email. Through this method, the company does not have to come to them looking for the job seeker. Simply, they send the resume to all the qualifying companies of one’s interest. Submitting a resume to them is absolutely free. Therefore, if one wants the Resume Factory to create one for him, the cost will be $75. This resume will entail up to 5,000 characters in length, looking as professional as it possibly can. They also offer additional services. One of which having hyperlinks set up. This involves posting one’s resume along with his own personal e-mail address on his own web page. This service is only $5 dollars and is well worth the money. This feature makes it easier for a company to get in contact with the job seeker. On an overall basis, this database is up in the ranks with advertisement; however, this database is too small and not well known. A job seeker would probably have a hard time getting discovered here. Their web address is www.resumefactory.com.

Distinctive Documents

The last electronic resume database to be reviewed is called Distinctive Documents. This huge electronic resume database has a whole lot of services to offer to job seekers of all kinds. Located on 146 Blackwater Rd. in Somersworth, NH., Distinctive Documents wants the job seeker to get into the hands of as many companies as possible.

There are more than 20,000 job listings open by many big name companies. Over 10,000 companies subscribe to this database. The possibilities are endless. Unfortunately, this site is not free in any way whatsoever. You can send them your resume or they can create it for a fee. The cost for Distinctive Documents to create varies. The traditional resume ranges between $120(entry level student and $500(top level executive) based upon the job seeker. Once the resume has been created, it cost money to post it as well. One can post it for 6 months for $25 or for 1 year for $45.00. This is not exactly very cheap. Also there are other services one can purchase. One can get a resume updated which cost $10 for the phone and address update and $25 to add a new job. Other services include Resume Typeset, Resume Critique, ASCII conversions, and Resume on diskette. These services range anywhere between $10-50 depending on the job seeker’s level. This company offers something for everyone. It carries a good reputation and ranks highly in the polls of top ten electronic resume databases. One gets the most bang for his buck here, but the price is quite expensive. This database may be the key to getting someone started, yet it is going to cost a pretty penny. The choice to advertise with this company is up to one’s on disgression.

Name of the Electronic Resume DatabaseThe cost to post a resume

The MonsterboardFree

The JobExchangeFree but $22.00 for full view of Resume

The A Advanced Writing Service$11.65

The Resume FactoryFree

Distinctive Documents$45

*based on 1 year of advertisement

Conclusion

What should one do?

Through my report, I have explained the benefits of using an electronic resume database as means of searching for a new job or a career move. By using these databases, one can make himself known to companies all over the world. Perhaps, he could just simply use these databases to find companies who are in demand for qualified personnel like himself easier. At any rate, these databases catalyze the process of waiting and promote huge career opportunities. How is this done? This is all done by just a few keystrokes and the click of a mouse. For example, one could post his resume to some electronic resume databases that are specifically looking for computer related personnel. This method would allow a much quicker response from a broadband of companies as opposed to just one. As a graduate student or any entry level person, one could let the world know how much talent he has at really young age, and meanwhile develop a sense of what companies are looking for in their place of work. As my advice would be to the new or struggling job seeker, post a resume on one or more of these databases, expecting only to see what kind of outcome may come of it. Upon doing this action, one will better himself and further expand his possibilities for the near future.