Guy Kawasaki lists 6 tips for responding to Craigslist ads, which would also apply to non-corporate online ads on, say, Trade Me Jobs.
Guy’s list is simple: apply fast, use a proper cover letter, respond to the employer’s questions fast, respond to the employers questions well, indeed go above and beyond when responding to those questions, and don’t be stupid….
The rules around replying quickly to a job advertisement don’t necessarily apply to corporate roles being recruited for by HR departments or external firms. That’s because these processes often have apply-by dates, and the responses are looked at in bulk on that date. Personally I always tried to avoid that process, as it’s a potential sign of a lumbering bureaucracy.
Lance Wiggs 