I recently interviewed for a position with the organization I work for as a daily substitute. During the interview, I asked if they needed a copy of my resume. They said no, they had one.... and then they pulled out a copy of my resume I had used to apply for the position as a daily substitute five years ago!
That got me thinking... what exactly was in my application file?
I called HR to let them know that the information they had provided my interviewers for the position was not.... uh, current. I have sent them numerous resumes and had no idea what happened. I got an interesting response. Apparently, my file contained:
-My application packet from five years ago for daily substituting
-An application packet from two years ago for any open teachers positions
-Reference letters from the application packet from two years ago
My file did not contain:
-Any of the materials that I have been sending for the past year and a half to update my file (updated resumes, letters of reference, etc.)
-The all-important letters of reference from my LTS supervisors
-Any mention of the fact that I completed two LTS assignments last year and had absolutely glowing reviews
So I got everything sorted out, sent a new application packet into HR, and smacked my head on the concrete a couple dozen times. Now at least I know why I was never even offered an interview for a position last summer... they didn't know who I was!!
I think this little episode really underscores the importance of making sure that all of your paperwork has been submitted and is in proper order. Of course, there's really no reason that I should have been worried about it, I couldn't have known, but let it be a lesson to me.
