On the call back thing. A potential employee called to speak with my manager a few days ago, my manager could not take the call right away, so I took the message. When I related the message my manger rolled her eyes. An hour or so later the same applicant called again. My manager was very short with her and said that she hasn't had a chance to follow up on resume's yet, she put the phone down and said 'some people are so pushy, she won't get an interview here!'

So it's one of those half a dozen of one and six of the other things.

One of previous employers humans didn't even choose who to interview, a computer did based on the psychological test that was given.

When people called we told them hiring managers dont work at the store, and would contact those who were chosen for interviews.

If the applicant got a green the application would print, and a manager would file it if were not hiring, if hiring call for an interview.

Yellow = not printed but stored for 90 days in case no greens were available.

Red = Never seen by a human, and no chance of ever being hired.

Calling to follow up can be a negative in many companies, especially service type jobs where there isn't a HR office and managers really dont have time to talk to applicants.

1st rule of applying for jobs in Alberta - know and control where your resume is and where it is going.

I've blown several opportunities because I was "inadvertently" submitted twice.

Lots of employers will pass on someone that is over qualified because they think that person could move to another job in a short period of time.

Generic resumes made for mass circulation can get discarded just as easily as spam. Tweak your resume to the specific job your are applying for and tell them why they should pay you in the body of the resume.

Canadian employers have a very obvious fear of "risk of flight" - you have to be *exactly* qualified for the job you're applying for.

Oddly enough, they won't hire you if you're underqualified either - just in case they have to meet the expense of laying you off.

Therefore - don't apply if you don't fit the criteria with a minimal margin of error.