MyMonster - ExecutiveAgent

Frequently Asked Questions
about Executive Agent:

Q. Is Executive Agent worth $87?
A. Indeed! Executive Agent enables you to send your resume directly to executive search firms that specialize in placing senior-level professionals. These recruiters frequently hold the keys to the "hidden" job market because they place candidates in positions that aren't always advertised in newspaper ads and traditional job boards. Furthermore, the data powering Executive Agent is updated by a full-time staff of database professionals that have been maintaining a database of search firms since 1970. This robust methodology and vast experience ensures your resume is sent to the right recruiter.

Q. Can I screen for retained recruiters versus contingency recruiters?
A. Yes. On Step 2 you can choose to include retained search firms, contingency search firms or both.

Q. What do I need to have ready before I start?
A. Before getting started, please have an electronic version of your resume available (Microsoft Word format, RTF, etc). As you walk-thru the registration steps, you'll be asked to attach your resume so it can be forwarded directly to the recruiters that match your search criteria. It is also helpful to have a cover letter already prepared.

Q. Does my resume need to be in any particular format?
A. Your resume can be in Word, Text, or RTF (Rich Text Format). If you attempt to attach a file type that is not supported by Executive Agent you will receive a message alerting you and you will have the opportunity to attach a different file type.

Hint: To save your resume as a rich text format, open your document in Word, and under File > Save As > Save As Type choose Rich Text Format. When saved, your document should have the extension .rtf. We recommend using Rich Text Format because this eliminates the transporting of viruses as well as being more portable between different versions of Word.

Q. Where and how do I attach my resume?
A. You attach your resume at Step 6, the last step, after your credit card has been approved. Simply click the browse button and select your resume as you would to attach any document to an e-mail message.

Q. Can I attach more than one document?
A. No. You can only attach one document. If you want to attach both your cover letter and resume you will need to copy your cover letter into your resume document.

Q. Can I send a password-protected resume?
A. No. Please attach a resume that is not password-protected. Recruiters cannot open password-protected resumes.

Q. Where does my e-mail/resume appear it is coming from?
Your e-mail message to recruiters appears as though it is coming from the e-mail address you provide in the "Reply-To" box on Step 6, the attachment page. When recruiters open your email message, they will also notice it was delivered via ExecutiveAgent, which is powered by Kennedy Information. Because Kennedy Information has worked closely with recruiters for 31 years, this statement often increases the chances that recruiters will carefully review your qualifications.

Q. What e-mail address should I use in the Reply-To box on the attachment page?
Your should use the e-mail address you want recruiters to reply to. Hint: Double check your e-mail address. If you enter the wrong e-mail address or mis-spell your e-mail address you will not receive responses.

Q. Is the e-mail sent to recruiters individually or is one e-mail sent to all the recruiters I selected?
A. Your e-mail is sent to each recruiter individually.

Q. Should I customize the subject line of my e-mail message?
A. We highly recommend it. Here's a tip: most recruiters prefer to receive resumes when the desired job title appears in the subject line of the e-mail message. If you don't customize the subject line of the e-mail message, we automatically place your first chosen Industry and Function in the subject line. If you select several function and industry areas, you may want to be more specific in the subject line of the e-mail message.

Q. Can I include a cover letter?
A. Yes. When you attach your resume at Step 6, you will also have the option to include a cover letter. Please note: your cover letter will appear in the "body" of the e-mail message. Should you choose not to include your own cover letter, the system will automatically attach a generic cover letter.

Q. Should I customize my cover letter that appears in the "body" of my email message?
Again, we highly recommend it. A well-written cover letter can separate your resume from the rest of the pack. In addition to highlighting your unique strengths, recruiters enjoy receiving cover letters that include your desired job title, current location, and willingness to re-locate. Recruiters are busy, and like to get the key elements as quickly as possible. For this reason, recruiters also find it valuable when jobseekers paste their resume below their cover letter in the body of the e-mail message in addition to attaching it.

Q. Can I include my resume in the body of the e-mail message?
A. Yes. It is recommended that you start your e-mail message with your cover letter and paste your resume below your cover letter, in addition to attaching your resume.

Q. Can I customize the opening salutation in my cover e-mail? i.e. Dear John
A. No. The e-mail message you include in the body of the e-mail will be sent to all recruiters. It is recommended that you use a generic salutation such as "Dear Recruiter".

Q. How do I attach the cover letter?
A. You can copy and paste your cover letter directly into the text box that appears at Step 6. We also suggest pasting your resume at the bottom of your cover letter, in addition to attaching it. This allows recruiters to quickly scan your resume before opening your attached resume.

Q. Can I see what was sent to recruiters?
A. Yes. After your resume is successfully sent to your selected group of recruiters you will receive two e-mail confirmations. One will be a copy of the e-mail message sent to recruiters. This e-mail message will appear as though it was sent by the e-mail address you provide in the "Reply-To" box on the attachment page. The second e-mail message is a list of firm names and web addresses (if available) of recruiters that received your resume.

Q. When can I expect responses from recruiters?
A. You should begin receiving responses from recruiters within hours, sometimes sooner, of sending your resume.

Q. Can you please provide me with more detailed instructions?
A. Certainly! Here they are:

Before getting started, please have an electronic version of your resume available (Microsoft Word format, RTF, etc). As you walk-thru the registration steps, you'll be asked to attach your resume so it can be forwarded directly to the recruiters that match your search criteria.
The first step asks you to input your industry and function. If you hold the Ctrl key down, you can select multiple criteria, and your resume will be distributed to a broader audience of executive recruiters.
The next step asks you to indicate if you're passively or actively pursuing a new career opportunity, as well as your salary range. Please note: your responses to these questions won't impact the number of firms that will receive your resume.
You're also asked to enter your geographic preferences. Please note: we don't recommend selecting a geographic preference. Many search firms are organized by practice, not geography. Thus, a recruiter in Chicago may place candidates in Seattle as well as Miami.
Next, you're asked about your willingness to deliver your resume to retained search firms as well as contingency search firms. The primary difference is that retained search firms are hired by a client company for an assignment, and are paid regardless of the results of the search. Contingency search firms receive payment only when their candidate is hired, and they are most often used for mid-level executives. With these operational differences in mind, we recommend distributing your resume to both types of search firms.
At this point, Executive Agent responds with a list of all the search firms that match your criteria. You're given the opportunity to refine/expand your criteria so it achieves your desired results.
Once you're satisfied with the list of recruiters targeted to receive your resume, you are asked to input your credit card information.
Next, you're asked to attach the most current version of your resume. Most people attach resumes in Microsoft Word (.doc) format. As an added layer of protection against potential computer viruses, you may choose to save and attach your resume in the Rich Text Format (.rtf) instead. We recommend the RTF format; you can save your resume in Microsoft Word as an RTF document.
At this point, you're given the opportunity to edit your return email address. Please note: the "From" field of your e-mail message that recruiters receive will appear as if it was sent directly from the email address you provide. When recruiters open your email message, they will also notice it was delivered via ExecutiveAgent, which is powered by Kennedy Information. Because Kennedy Information has worked closely with recruiters for 31 years, this statement often increases the chances that recruiters will carefully review your qualifications.
You're also given the opportunity to change the subject line of your email message. Again, we recommend that you edit the subject line so your electronic correspondence is more compelling to the search firms.
As a final, pre-launch step, you're given the opportunity to write a custom cover letter. We strongly recommend that you take a few minutes to write a well-composed letter, or perhaps cut-and-paste your cover letter from an existing document into this text box (which will become the 'body' of the email message sent).
When you hit "send", please note the following:
Executive Agent will send a confirmation email message that states the names of the executive search firms that successfully received your resume. If available, web addresses of these firms will also be provided.
Executive Agent will also "cc:" you on this transaction so you can review exactly what the search firms received.
Congratulations! Executive search firms play an increasingly important role in the job-search process. You've just taken a critical step towards building relationships with these professionals that hold the coveted keys to the "hidden job market".

To e-mail us with any additional questions, click here.

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