Job hunting is a lot like rock climbing: One small misstep could cost you in a big way. But, if you prepare, you can avoid making a crucial mistake with your career.
Whether you're a novice or a seasoned professional, it pays to plan. So here are some job hunting do's and don'ts for every job seeker.
Have a Strategy
You simply cannot fly blind when it comes to your career.
Do...decide what job you want; a targeted search is the most effective search.
Do...determine if you'd relocate for that job; your dream job may not be in your backyard.
Do...research the best companies to work for that have the position you seek; it pays to aim for the top.
Don't...rely on just one method of job hunting; take advantage of headhunters, internet job boards, job fairs, and networking events.
Look Good on Paper
It's the person (i.e., the recruiter or hiring manager) who gets you the job, but it's the paper (i.e., your resume, cover letter, and other credentials) that gets you the interview.
Do...have a professional looking resume and cover letter; take advantage of resume-writing services, such as ResumeEdge. Make sure to have your resume available in multiple formats: print, Web-compatible, and a text version.
Do...create a job skill portfolio or brag book; your resume doesn't always adequately sum up all of your abilities or past work.
Don't...send a cover letter or resume that contains typos; your materials will wind up in the recycling bin.
Don't...use your cover letter to rehash your resume; use it to explain to each prospective employer how your experience is relevant to the job for which you're applying.
Don't...forget to sign your cover letter; your signature personalizes the letter and neglecting to do so is an unprofessional oversight.
Prepare and Practice
Great actors don't appear nervous on stage or film because they rehearse. So, if you want to perform well during your next interview, take a lesson from thespians everywhere.
Do...a dry run to the actual interview site, taking into consideration any possible traffic and weather conditions; a late candidate might not be perceived as the best hire.
Do...practice for the interview with a friend or family member to help you get comfortable answering questions about your experience and qualifications; take care not to memorize your responses as you don't want them to sound rehearsed.
Do...shake hands firmly, make eye contact, and smile at everyone you meet; this will put others at ease and give you an air of pleasant confidence.
Don't...use slang, poor language, or pause words, such as "uh," "um," "like," and, "you know"; they detract from what you're saying and make you appear nervous.
Don't...badmouth former colleagues or companies at which you've worked; telling tales out of school is poor form.
Don't...air your personal business during an interview, your family problems or political opinions has have no place in a business interview.
Stay the Course
The end of the interview is not the end of the job seeking process. There are many other steps involved -- or possible missteps if you aren't careful.
Do...take a moment, at the end of each interview, to ask when the employer plans to make a hiring decision.
Do...make sure you have the names and titles of all those who have interviewed you; collect business cards as you meet people or before you leave.
Do...thank each person you meet individually.
Don't...forget to promptly send thank-you letters; not all candidates send them so this is a great way to stand out from the crowd; send them through an appropriate means (formal letter, handwritten note, or carefully crafted email).
Don't...neglect proofreading each and every communication you send, including your thank-yous; a typo, even at this stage, can cost you the job.
Don't...be afraid to follow up with a phone call within 10 days; be careful you aren't being a pest.
Don't...place too much importance on one job interview; there are other fish in the sea -- and better opportunities on the horizon.
