Job Search Advice and Interview Tips

Through our years of experience, the following are practices that we have found successful for job seekers at all levels.

Research fields and professions that you desire.
Get a free critique by a skilled resumé writer. This is usually your first point of contact with a potential employer and your resumé should be viewed as a marketing document.
Do not limit your resources. Utilize all potential sources. Sometimes the employment hunting process is a numbers game and the more contacts you make the better your chances.
Personal and professional networking is still considered the most valuable employment tool.
When e-mailing resumés, also follow up with a hard copy in the mail, on good quality, conservative color paper, if able to do so. Very few people do this. It gets you noticed.
Post yourself on various online job sites, but only if unemployed.
Contact several search firms and forward your resumé to those who place people in your field.
Research companies that you are interested in working for. This exhibits initiative and employers want to hire people who want to work for them.
Follow-up after an interview with a brief e-mailed and/or mailed "Thank You" note or letter. (Not a Handwritten Thank You Card)
Contact former colleagues, supervisors, clients, vendors and friends to network and find out if they have any job openings and present them with a good quality copy of your resumé to present to their manager.

Be flexible and open as each company has its own personality, culture and style.
Dress appropriately and professionally.
Thoroughly research information about the company and let the interviewer(s) know what you have found out and what impressed you.
Arrive 10 minutes early.
Greet the interviewer with a smile and firm handshake.
Listen carefully and address the questions. Candidates often are so interested in stating what they want to say that they neglect to answer direct questions.
Indicate that you have researched the company and ask some, but not too many questions.
Do not bring up salary, benefits, vacation, etc. The interviewer will mention these if they are interested in you.
Let the interviewer know that you are interested in the position and that you would like to work for him/her and the company. (Not Just The Company)
Cordially thank the interviewer for his/her time.