Getting CV/Cover Letter printed on quality paper

JG1

Generally I am sending CVs electronically but for jobs i really want to make an impression with, i would like to post a hard copy. I was wondering if there is a internet cafe/print shop in Dublin city centre that will print CV and cover letter on good quality paper.

AARRRGH

Excellent idea.

You can buy paper in Reads or Easons and give it to the internet cafe guy to use.

I know the internet cafe near the bottom of O'Connell Street (Global Internet Cafe?) used to let you do this. They probably still do.

runswithascript

Is a hard copy better than a soft copy? Which to companies check first, there back log of hard or soft? Should I be sending both?

mikeindublin

LA3G wrote: »

Is a hard copy better than a soft copy? Which to companies check first, there back log of hard or soft? Should I be sending both?

Email is fine. I review dozens of CVs on a monthly basis. What I'm more interested in is spelling and grammar rather than layout. 12 point double-spaced works well for me.

Serafijn

Honestly, I pay more attention to soft copies than hard. Hard copies just get lost amongst other stuff on my desk! As mike says it's the spelling and grammar, and to an extent the layout on the page, that's the important part. Make sure your sentences are concise and flow well, and add in a 'profile' paragraph at the beginning. This must be well worded and give the impression of 'keen, competent, qualified'.

I'm starting to warm to the photo idea actually, I find it personalises the CV - just make sure it's in no way embarassing, or one of those pics where you're holding the camera out infront of you!

Personally I wouldn't waste time and money getting it printed on good paper, rather follow up with a phonecall a few days later to check they received it and reaffirm your interest in the position. Be polite and confident and make a good impression!

Good luck

leeroybrown

I'd say that it depends on what kind of jobs you're applying for and who will be reading your CV. Some people might be impressed by it but a lot of others wouldn't. Personally, I'd be in the latter category. I'm interested in a clear concise short CV that presents the candidate well and a cover letter that shows that the candidate put some effort into the application. In my workplace we request all that applications be sent via e-mail as it's far more convenient for us.

krd

Printing on nice paper does work. But to get it perfect takes alot of work.

I used to print on lovely sepia paper, that gave the lettering a slight embossing effect. I also use to individually print each address label -- instead of writing by hand.

My CV looked so nice, I'd get called to every interview I applied for. The only real problem with that, was I would get called to some interviews I should never have been called to.

Agencies hate printed CV's. But the benefit of a printed CV, is they can't run that silly software that scores you on a word count of buzzwords.

A good looking printed CV does stand out from the crowd.

I hate CV's with photographs. I think they're creepy. Hiring someone for their haircut is creepy. You may aswell hire someone by sniffing their bottom.

the_syco

Depends. Shops will look at hard copies, 1000+ monkey company will only take soft copy.

Firetrap

Don't spend money on getting fancy covers for your CV. I've worked in offices where the first thing that would be done with the CVs was the removal of said covers. Even the spiral bound ones - you'd need a stanley knife for those.