Blog Post: Become a Better Job Seeker: Part I

Looking for a job is a job in itself. Research, preparation, and a positive attitude are all requirements for that job, but are those enough? As companies are laying off and cutting back, the applicant pool is deepening everyday. With the stiff competition out there for job seekers, you want to make sure that you are doing everything possible to stand out from the crowd...but in a good way. Here are some common mistakes frequently made by applicants and how to avoid them:

Always include your email address on your resume and on your application. Oftentimes, applicants don't put it on the application, even when it's listed as a field to be filled in. It's just as important as listing your phone number, address, and prior job history. Many times, employers will correspond to the job seeker who's sent a resume by sending an e-version of their application. Also, there are various other reasons why the hiring company might request that information - to possibly send a survey, to send a job description, etc. And while we're on the subject, you'll want to make sure that the e-mail address you're using for your job search is appropriate. Hotgirl21@whatever.com or basketballfan@email.com might be the e-mail address you've used for years or for personal matters, but it might not be suitable when looking for a career. With several options to set up a free e-mail address (hotmail, yahoo, gmail), I would suggest doing so, and use that e-mail address for your job search. Keep it simple, such as firstname.lastname@hostingsite.com. Not only will it make you look more professional, but it will keep you more organized, as only job-related emails will land in this inbox.

Do not force your potential new employer to listen to ill-chosen ringtones when they call you to possibly set up an interview. Just because it's your favorite song, it does not mean that it's everyone else's favorite song. It can be offensive for the caller to be blasted with a song that may not be something that they would ordinarily listen to. The last thing you want to do is offend your potential employer before you've even walked in the door. During your search, it's best to opt out of having your phone play a song for a caller.

Do not leave any information off of your application; it is critical to fill in all the blanks. Make sure that you are putting your complete address, including city, state, and zip code. Even if you are turning in a resume, you still need to fill out the employment history section. Many times, every application is initially entered into a computer program, and without pertinent information, the application is at risk for not being considered for employment. While your application won't necessarily get rejected for a simple mistake, you always want to be thorough and double check the document before you turn it in.

So at this point, you've successfully laid the groundwork for your job search. You're ready to start interviewing. But what happens when you get that phone call? What should you wear? Be sure to check my blog next week for those answers, along with more tips for being a star-quality candidate.

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http://www.compassbank.com/careers