Rejecting Leads from Monster
 

Okay, I've been searching for a new job on and off for the past few months. I reactivated my resume on Monster last week, and since then have gotten several hits, some of which are crap.

I did receive two today that are interesting, but not in the location where I'm looking.

My question is this: Do I need to respond to these inquiries with a polite "no thank you?" Most of the emails say to send them an email with my resume/cover letter if I'm interested, so I assume if I don't respond they know I'm not interested. The problem is that I don't want to send them my resume one day down the road and they realize, "Oh, this girl didn't bother responding when we contacted her through Monster. Forget her!" or something. Thoughts?

First off, I will give you my personal opinion on Monster.com..... It sucks! Every lead I got on there was worthless. My tip- if you see something that says "marketing".... just ignore it.

Ok, now. When I was using monster, I never sent a "no thank you" message. I figured they had enough "yes" resumes to go through to want to bother with my "no". I could be wrong, but that is how I looked at it.

Delete your monster profile and never visit the site again! Get out there and network within your circle of professionals-- ask for referrals, go on informational interviews, send thank you notes, circulate your resume, scour specific job boards, etc.--- Monster is a monster. You want a real job-- you're going to have to get offline to get it.

I actually have the opposite opinion. I found my current position through Monster. I think it's an excellent source for finding a job, especially if you are looking in an area where you don't currently live. I scoured the local newspaper online for over a year and came up with nothing. The people who were advertising in the paper didn't want to hire someone from out of town. Within a week of sending my resume for this position I was offered the job.

To answer your original question, though, I wouldn't bother responding to jobs you aren't interested in. I got a lot of crap emails about jobs and just deleted them.

If the job listing is crap, don't bother replying.

If the job listing is interesting, but not in your location, find out who's listing the job. If it's a company that does have an office in your location, they may want to bring you in at that office, so it's worth inquiring. Otherwise, don't bother replying.

Often, these emails are automated. People do keyword searches, and you will get inquiries about positions you're not necessarily suited for simply because of the keywords in your resume. When emails are automated, the "sender" will probably never know if you got the auto-email and didn't reply or if you didn't get the auto-email.

The internet is one tool to use in a job search, but it is only one tool. The best tool is your network of people you know IRL.

Good luck. :)

Well, Monster isn't the only resource I've been using in my job search.

The problem is that I'm not really seriously looking...I'm just testing the waters. I've been frustrated on and off with my job lately, and back in June I applied to a few jobs and was heavily looking, but I was also looking at relocating. Now, not so much.

I just reactivated my resume on Monster to see what sort of leads it could get me.

Thanks for the advice!

You & I are in the same area. Plus, I'm also looking for a job. I've had a few good leads from Monster, but the Insurance companies will still contact you (I bet American Express Financial Advisors have hit you - right?). Some of them I shoot back a polite - "I've researched your company, and unfortunately I don't think we would be a good match for each other right now...". Some of them (especially if they send me more than 1 email) I don't bother to respond because they are sending info in bulk and probably won't remember me anyway.

careerbuilder.com sometimes has ok leads.


Good Luck!

Also not your question - but maybe try Ambassador Personnel, they are on Hedgemore, which is over between Woodlawn and Park Rd (behind the Starbucks there). They found me my current postion. There are a thousand staffing services in Charlotte (I know, I ended up registering with half of them), but Ambassador actually got me results.