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Employer Preferences for Résumés and Cover Letters

Western Michigan University, nancy.schullery{at}wmich.edu

Linda Ickes

Western Michigan University, linda.ickes{at}wmich.edu

Stephen E. Schullery

Eastern Michigan University, sschullery{at}charter.net

This article reports the results of a survey of employers' preferences for résumé style, résumé delivery method, and cover letters. Employers still widely prefer the standard chronological résumé, with only 3% desiring a scannable résumé. The vast majority of employers prefer electronic delivery, either by email (46%) or at the company's Web site (38%), with only 7% preferring a paper copy. Cover letters are preferred by a majority (56%). Preferences regarding résumé style and cover letters were independent of national (USA) vs. multinational geographic range, company size, type of industry, or respondent's job function. Smaller companies prefer résumé delivery by email, and human resources workers prefer delivery using the company's Web site.

Key Words: résumés • cover letters • scannable résumé • employer preferences

This version was published on June 1, 2009

Business Communication Quarterly, Vol. 72, No. 2, 163-176 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1080569909334015


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