I did feel that the recruiter was the gate keeper, so to make myself stand out :) I did send a printed resume through the mail to the hiring manger.... the same day that I applied to the position online. Using LinkedIn Pro membership & or calling the location to figure out who was the hiring manager. The Benefit: on every interview I had... My fiscal resume had been given to the hiring manager or recruiter when they called they would even ask "Have you applied online yet?" LOL:) I applied to over 50 locations online and had 5 callbacks all of whom had my fiscal resume ;) As for the interview: 1st, Phone interview with recruiter & digital screening test, 2nd phone with hiring manger, 3rd flew down for in person interview.