Spell It Out!
Don’t bog down your resume with obscure acronyms or abbreviations that may confuse an employer or recruiter. Spell out organization titles or company names to make sure that your audience understands what you are talking about.
Don’t Waste An Employer’s Time!
Always assume recruiters are busy. Most have stacks of resumes to read every day. The last thing you want to do is waste their time. Don't staple your cover letter to your resume. Staples only get in the way when employers attempt to copy or scan your resume
Do Your Homework!
If you're lucky (and talented) enough to consider several job offers at once, you've got some homework to do. Before you accept an offer based solely on salary or location, research the companies that want to hire you. If the employer is relatively new, find out what impartial analysts say about their business plan. If you are considering a traditional corporation, check out the company's earnings history.
Delay Tactics!
In this booming job market, your first job offer may not be your last. If you’ve been offered a position from one company, but you’re waiting to hear from another, you may feel pressured to make a decision sooner than you like. Why not negotiate more time? Tell your potential employer you need to evaluate their offer and would be glad to follow-up within a week. Always give them a specific time frame and then stick to it. Don’t be afraid to keep them waiting a few days; after all, you don’t want to start a new job still wondering about another opportunity.
Ouch! Avoid Careless Cover Letter Mistakes!
A few careless mistakes will find your cover letter and resume tossed aside. Spelling errors and typos can cost you the job! Check and double-check your materials before sending them to an employer. Be sure that you’ve put the right cover letter (with the right company name all the way through) in the correct envelope. You’d be surprised at how many cover letters arrive in Human Resources addressed to the wrong corporation!
References Can Make or Break You!
Just because you have a great list of references doesn’t mean they will talk when your prospective employer calls. As you select references, make sure you choose individuals who not only worked with you on a daily basis or special project, but who also are willing to talk about your achievements and character traits. How can you ensure they’ll be your biggest cheerleaders? Keep in touch with your contacts and follow-up after an interview so they have an idea how your job search is going.
Yada, Yada, Yada!
Being long-winded during an interview makes you sound chatty and unprepared. How do you avoid this common babble blunder? Keep your answers to 60 seconds or less during an interview. You can perfect this key to conciseness by practicing answers to typical interviewing questions ahead of time. This will help you sound intelligent and polished.
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| For more information, contact... |
Becky Carruthers
Dean of Educational Services
becky.carruthers@clovis.edu
575.769.4913
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