- If you’re calling through the front desk, be Clear, Brief, and Specific about why you’re calling. Reception does not need to hear your life story. For that matter, the recruiter probably doesn’t need to hear it either.
- If you’re calling about a position listed in the paper, don’t just say, “I’m calling about the ad in the paper.” Specify which ad because there are an awful lot of ads in the paper.
- Handwritten resumes are not recommended.
- Emailing your resume part 1: Don’t name it resume.doc unless you want it to get lost in the shuffle. Try something like yourname.doc instead.
- Emailing your resume part 2: Don’t zip it.
- Emailing your resume part 3: Unless told otherwise, the subject line should be the position you are applying for.
- Emailing your resume part 4: If you don’t specify the job in the subject line, specify it in the body of the email.
- Emailing your resume part 5: Don’t just email your resume as an attachment with no subject line or body.
- Emailing your resume part 6: Don’t send your Word-formatted resume as the body of the email. You have no idea what mail program they are using on the other end. Simple text is best.
- Emailing your resume part 7: Virus-scan your resume before it is sent. Make sure your antivirus software is up to date before you scan.
- If you use a word processing program, remember to use spellcheck, too!
- DON’T TYPE ANYTHING IN ALL CAPS
- Be specific in your cover letter about what type of position you are looking for. Only stating that you are a hard worker does not help us to find your dream job.
- In one industry the agency was hiring for, there was one position available for every hundred applicants that came in. The positions in this industry paid an average of $10/hr.
- At least a third of the applicants that came in had no idea how to fill out a W-4 form for tax witholding correctly.
- Half of the applicants could not follow the simple instructions for the skill assessment sheets.
- The education level of a majority of the applicants ranged from some high school to some community college or technical school.