Check out your current resume. Do you have complete contact information? You must have your name, your address (at least your city and state), your cell phone number or a number in a voice message can always be left, and a professional email address. The email address can be a free email such as Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo, but should be professional with your name (if possible) or something that is meaningful to your field.
Create your resume in Microsoft Word or a program that can be 100% sure it is fully compatible with - No, no, WordPerfect is compatible. 95 +% of businesses can open a resume in Word format.
Check spelling and proof read your resume. Have someone check your resume for errors also.
Before submitting a resume to any employer, turn your attention to your cell phone and / or your answering machine. It's time to polish a potential employer what you hear when you call. First, remove any musical introduction to your voicemail. These are often lengthy and are universally annoying to recruiters and employers who are calling for a job. Suggestive messages reflect badly on you - eliminate them. Then, create a brief voice message that tells the caller they have reached WHO. You cannot stress this enough. If you are looking for a job, you want a potential employer to know that you have reached. Voicemail ''You've reached Jane Smith. Please leave a message.'' It is brief, but much more satisfying and professional than the typical ''Leave a message.''
Then, review your profile from Facebook and MySpace. If there are any unflattering photos or comments, clean them. Seriously consider making your profiles at these sites non-public - viewable by your friends only if they reflect an image that hinder you in finding employment.
You are ready to respond to ads. Not just click the email link in job ads online, attach your resume and click submit. Always, always write a letter. It's good to have a basic template for your letter, but please do not let the sound canned. As a recruiter, I cannot tell you how many letters look almost identical. Please focus on the exact job description in the notice that you are responding and address of the qualities that employers are seeking in your cover letter. Spell check your letter and review if for any grammar and punctuation errors.
Learn to answer the phone professionally. If you do not recognize the number of a call is coming, Answer phone as professional as you feel comfortable. Some examples:
* Hi. This is John (Jones)
* Hi. John (Jones) speaking.
After the caller presents himself watch the grammar. Speak with a smile and be as positive, polite and helpful as possible.
Be sure to write down any information the caller gives in connection with an interview time, the names of people who will meet with the address or addresses. Re-check these with the caller to make sure you have everything right.
Be sure to wait for the caller to say goodbye and then they say goodbye before hanging up.
