Whether you are looking for a new job, your first job, or re-entering the job market – following these ten tips will help you achieve your goals!
1. Don’t rely on “spell check” alone! Have someone with excellent writing skills take a look at your resume and your cover letter. Just because it is spelled correctly doesn’t mean that is the word you wanted to use. The wrong word can make you seem ignorant at best and at worst – incapable of writing at all!
For example: Then and Than; There and Here; Not and Note – if it is a real word and not misspelled – it will pass spell check.
2. READ the job posting carefully. If specific skills are asked for, be sure they are easily found in your resume and you mention them in your cover letter. For extra help with writing a cover letter, we highly recommend ”Amazing Cover Letters” - For more information: Click Here!
3. Do NOT use “text message contractions” under ANY circumstances when communicating with a prospective employer. EVEN if they do it in email to you!
4. NEVER use a career objective in your resume unless the position you are applying for happens to match exactly. Career Objectives are viewed as “filler” and are disregarded or used to screen you out of the position.
5. Once you have an interview scheduled, do some research on the Company. You should know what they are in business to do.
6. Dress for business whether they are business casual or not. You want to make a good first impression. You want to let them know you are serious about finding work.
7. Have one or two questions ready to ask the hiring manager or the human resources person. At the end of every interview, you have an opportunity to make an additional impression, make it a great impression with a thoughtful question about either the position or the company.
8. When you are talking about your previous salary (if that is applicable) remember that your compensation should also include the value of your benefits – so if your previous employer paid for your medical and dental coverage, add that value in to your overall salary requirements.
9. If you are asked what your salary requirements are, be ready with an answer appropriate to your situation. In other words – if you want to negotiate for the best deal – your answer should be open-ended. For example: What would your best offer be? If you are not in a position to negotiate, but still want to get the best possible offer, you can ask “what were you planning on paying for this position?”. The trick is not to be the first to name a number, if at all possible.
10. Always say “Thank you” for the interview, and if possible write a “Thank you” note. It is one more opportunity to differentiate yourself from the competition.
Good Luck!
