| If you're a recent grad . . . or you're | | | | carefully proofread. Not shortcuts or |
| getting ready to hit the job hunting | | | | symbols you might use with close friends. |
| marketplace . . . you better know and | | | | Instead use the same rules of punctuation and |
| understand the rules. Practicing them will | | | | grammar you'd use if you were writing a |
| dramatically upgrade your response rate. | | | | letter. |
| Ignore them and you lose! | | | | |
| | | | 4. Make sure your cell phone is turned off |
| There's a lot been written about how to | | | | before you go into an interview. Nothing |
| prepare a job hunting resume and how to | | | | interrupts the flow of a good interview than |
| conduct an interview. Refer to the website | | | | your cute ringtone! |
| mentioned at the end of this article for tons | | | | |
| of free information on these important | | | | 5. Dress conservatively. Match your dress to |
| issues. However, before you even get to the | | | | the expectations of the organization you're |
| resume . . . and before you prepare for your | | | | talking to. In any case, no jeans, t-shirts, |
| first interview . . . there are some basic | | | | low necklines or sandals--even if you're |
| rules that can be overlooked to your peril. | | | | talking to some hip company. |
| | | | |
| 1. Make sure your voicemail greeting sounds | | | | 6. Be sure to send a carefully crafted thank |
| professional. It's a major turnoff to | | | | you letter. In it you should summarize the |
| employers trying to reach you to encounter | | | | particular strengths and capabilities you can |
| some sophomoric announcement that you think | | | | bring to the table. |
| is cute. | | | | |
| | | | Look, heading into the job hunting |
| 2. Likewise, don't use an email address that | | | | marketplace when you're new to it is never |
| you think is so clever. It's probably not | | | | easy. And there are many other important |
| the first impression you want to leave with | | | | rules to master. Fortunately there's a fast |
| an employer trying to reach you. For the | | | | and easy alternative job search system that |
| purposes of your job hunting, set up | | | | can have you talking to your next boss in a |
| something simple like your first and last | | | | matter of days. In the meantime these basic |
| names. | | | | rules can help you launch your job campaign |
| | | | correctly. |
| 3. On the subject of emails, make sure you | | | | |