Southworth: Resume Folders YES, Labeled Envelopes NO!

I wholeheartedly endorse Southworth's "Exceptional Resume Folders." They are terrific for "housing" your resume when you present it to interviewers (you can also use them if you happen to send out resumes via regular mail, but since emailing is more commonplace, you may not have to do this that often). I have used these for the past 10+ years; there was a company called PM Resource that offered these folders in different colors, but they have since gone out of business, so cream-colored and gold-embossed folders is our only choice (and they look great, so this is fine).

However, I would STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you do not use the envelopes they included that are labeled "Resume Enclosed" on the front. They are a waste and I can't understand why Southworth continues to include them as part of the package, for the following reasons:

1. As mentioned above, most resumes are emailed as opposed to being sent via regular mail. 

2. If you do send any resumes via regular mail, the last thing you want to do is announce it on the front of the enveloped. Let's be real: most employers receive way too many resumes, and as a rule, they generally don't like reading them. If they see the words "Resume Enclosed" on the front, I would guess that most are going to simply throw it away. However, if they receive an envelope that does not mention this on the front, they are most likely going to open it, if only to see what's inside (the Christmas syndrome). Once they look at your resume, hopefully if you've done a good job on yours, they'll be intrigued enough to read it top to bottom and consider calling you in for an interview.


Therefore, my last comment is directed to the decision-makers at Southworth, whom I've spoken with several times in the past: KEEP THE FOLDERS, BUT LOSE THE ENVELOPES! Or, if you do keep the envelopes, please remove the Resume Enclosed label. Thank you. Sincerely, Job Seekers Worldwide.