Recruiters say paper resumes may be dying out

ST. LOUIS -- Technology may soon make the paper copy of a resume an obsolete tool for those seeking a job, according to recruiters at this weekend's Missouri Black Expo Job Fair.

Although some companies, especially smaller or midsize employers, still prefer hard copies of resumes, many others are encouraging job seekers to go to their Web sites to post their resumes or to get applications.

Representatives from about 30 companies attended the Job Fair Friday as part of the expo's weekend events.

Teresa Balestreri, director of career services at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, said she tells employers holding job fairs on campus that students will still bring a resume as a calling card. And she also tells students that many large employers may look at a resume but will not accept it as a job application.

"We tell (students) not to be offended or discouraged. That is just the formal, legal process (the companies) have to follow," she added.

But not everyone is ready to give up on paper resumes.

Yasemin Koss, associate director at the Career Development Center at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, said the center advises students: "A resume is still really important to make a connection with recruiters."

Many smaller or midsize employers prefer the hard copy and may not have Web sites that accept applications, she said.

And the personal touch may pay off for recent graduate Kara Richardson, 23, of Kirkwood. She has a degree in business administration from Fontbonne University and wasn't get anywhere searching for jobs online.

But after meeting Friday with representatives from Sherwin-Williams, she was promised a call from a district manager about the company's management training program.

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Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com