Job Hunting? Napalm in your Napsack

Now more than ever, making a good impression during an interview is CRUCIAL. Heck, making a good impression BEFORE your interview is crucial. Every time you submit your resume, communicate with a prospective employer, and go on an interview you are literally competing against hundreds of people and it is your job to make the right impression.

At this point in my career I cannot even count how many positions I have hired for, the amount of resumes I have reviewed, or the number of people I have interviewed, but I do know the things that I look for, or seek to avoid, when hiring. Here goes:

• Always Read The Full Ad: We throw in a special request at the end just to make sure that applicants read the full ad and can follow basic instructions. Generally we request a special subject line, so those who do not follow the rules automatically get removed from consideration. It spares us from having to look at 250+ resumes.
  

• Make Sure You Are Qualified: A lot of job seekers blindly apply to every position whether they are qualified or not, and it is pretty obvious. If you have most of the skills but feel you would still be able to handle the responsibilities, include a note in your email indicating how you can overcome that deficiency.

• Check, Double Check, Then Triple Check Your Email: Your email to a prospective employer is your first impression. I recommend creating a special email address when you are job seeking as "Ilovetoparty27@gmail.com" probably won't sit well with the HR Department. Make sure you address your email to someone, check your spelling, capitalization, and grammar, and make sure you have a closing. Most hiring managers don't read cover letters anymore, so this email is your make or break.

• Google Yourself: Your prospective employer will. It's too easy not to. Make your FaceBook private, or at very least take down the picture of you holding a Bud Light.
  

• Dress To Impress: This may seem obvious, but, no matter what position you are applying for, dress up. Clean, pressed clothing shows you care about your image and take the interview seriously. You don't need to go over the top, but make sure you look the part. The person interviewing you doesn't know you, so all they have to go off when deciding whether you aesthetically fit is what you wear and how you look at your interview.
  

• Talk, But Not Too Much: Letting your personality shine in an interview is very important, but be sure not to divulge too much. Going into detail about your personal life, why you are leaving your current employer, or being too casual can really hurt your chances. Your interviewer is looking to gauge your personality, your abilities, and how you will fit into the office dynamic and will generally assume that you are putting your best foot forward.
  

• Always Ask Questions: Research the company you are interviewing with in advance, and have at least two questions to ask your interviewer. This allows you to gain insight about the company (outside of the elevator pitch you get from your interviewer), shows that you are interested and engaged, and you may discover that you are no longer interested in the position.

• ALWAYS Send A Thank You: Whether you want the job or not, send a thank you email. Show the person who interviewed you that you respect and appreciate their time and consideration, and reiterate your interest. Give a specific example why. If you aren't interested, let them know so that they can take you out of consideration. If you REALLY want the job, mail a thank you card.
  

These are just some basic suggestions based on what I look for and my experience, but if you have any more questions or want additional advice, I would be more than happy to help! Shoot me an Email Here

Happy Hunting!