Thirty years ago, I sent out 30-40 resumes and got one very short response… no one else answered at all. The lesson. Don’t send out a resume and expect a response. Many offices get several resumes a week…. it can be a burden trying to respond to them all.
To get a job, you need to know the name of the person you are writing to… Dear Sir or Madam makes the receiver feel old…. try Dear Marion, or Bill or whatever…
So you need to do your homework. Preferably in person. Go to an office(s), meet the people there…. find out what they need from a new employee and then go home and reinvent yourself/your portfolio (without lying) to fit into the profile of the person they need … to highlight that you have the skills they need.
Personality and knowing you can work with people helps an employer decide as much as a portfolio or the marks. If the employer is good, they can help you with the latter … but a nice smile, good presentation, friendly hand shake, good sense of humour… all sell …
Anyway, hope these comments help.
PS I have endeavoured to be the guy that does respond to every resume I get as I wish everyone the opportunity to enjoy a life in the industry as I have.
