Unemployed in Des Moines —

Building your Personal Brand with the “Brand Warrior”

by Crissanka Christadoss on March 18, 2011 · 0 comments

in Free Agency, How To: Job Search, How To: Networking, Reinvention

By Crissanka Christadoss

In your job search, Mark True says to remember your mom’s advice: Be yourself. In order to be yourself during a job search, True says it is important to brand yourself. He wants job seekers to fill in the blank:

“I’m the only_______________.”

Mark True "Brand Warrior" talking to job seekers in Des Moines

As the “Brand Warrior”, Mark True helps organizations develop their story, a story that tells the rest of the world who they are and why they matter. At a recent talk at an Unemployed in Des Moines Networking event, True applied his expertise to help job seekers understand the importance of personal branding when navigating the job market.

“Your brand is a declaration. It tells others what you believe and why they should put their faith in you,” said True.

At the beginning of the session, each attendee gave a 30 second elevator speech. True pointed out that only two people in the audience gave an elevator speech that explained who they are professionally as opposed to their current situation. “Being unemployed is not who you are,” True said. He stressed the importance of an elevator speech because it is a quick and simple way you can tell people who you are and why you matter.

True’s model of branding is simple and straightforward. He didn’t hesitate to the tell the audience what they needed to hear. “I am after all the Brand Warrior,” he said. “Not your Brand Buddy.”

Brand Yourself in O.N.E. Way

True uses his model of brand management (O.N.E. Way) to illustrate how job seekers can maximize and develop a personal brand.

O is for Only – “It is easy to play it safe. You’ve got to be on the edges instead of the mushy middle of mediocrity,” says True. This means you will have to decide what your true strengths are to building your brand. “Plant your flag, present an image that tells others ‘This is who I am, love it or leave it.”

N is for Narrative – True says that you should be able to tell your story to a potential employer in 30 seconds. Be able to tell them how your skills and experience can help them as a company. He encouraged attendees to help their fellow job seekers be accountable for their 30 second elevator speech.

E is for Everyone – Tell everyone about your job search, starting with your closest network. True admits that networking events are daunting, but attending them increases the likelihood of opportunities and it gets easier being in a room full of strangers. “Be comfortable being uncomfortable,” he says. “Then you will be comfortable being comfortable.”

Brand is Emotional and Happens All the Time

Being mindful and purposeful about your personal brand is essential. For example, the way you shake someone’s hand or if your fly was open during a particular meeting tells people a lot about you. “The secret is to how to take charge of your brand all the time, and be purposeful about the ways you tell your story,” he said. Having a good attitude, being enthusiastic will go long way in maintaining your brand.

Brands are Offensive

Personal branding doesn’t mean that everyone will love you, but True said it is important to be comfortable with this concept, which also means being comfortable in your own skin. For example, people either love or hate Rush Limbaugh. Though the conservative political pundit may be hated by many, Limbaugh still stays true to his brand and has a significant fan base.

Be Purposeful – Even Online

True emphasized the many benefits of social media, but also cautioned against its misuse. “Be present on social media sites, but be purposeful,” he said. “You don’t have to own a blog or a website to be active online.”

True offered some advice on how to understand your current online presence:

• Look at your last ten Facebook posts – What do these posts say about you?

• Google your name and see the first ten entries and see what comes up.

• Set up a Google Alert on yourself.

• Make sure that the social media platforms you use tell your story, which is a way to make your brand consistent.

Being Engaged and Purposeful Offline

True offered several ways to continually market your brand in the flesh:

• Chamber of Commerce meetings – West Des Moines, Urbandale, Altoona.

• Volunteer for an organization using your professional skills

• Remember to give and take – Help others if they are willing to help you on your job search

• Alumni meetings at your alma maters – you never know who you will meet.

“Brand Warrior” Mark True has worked in corporate, non-profit and agency environments, leading teams and clients with a strategic vision and a passion for digging deep to find the heart and soul of the brand. Please learn more about him at his website, Brand Happens.com

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The Art of Persuasion in Your Job Search

by Crissanka Christadoss on March 16, 2011 · 0 comments

in Already Employed, How To: Job Search, How To: Networking, Struggles, Uncategorized

Charles Purdy is a professional writer and editor. He’s the senior editor of Monster+HotJobs, a former managing editor of “Macworld” magazine, and the author of the book “Urban Etiquette” This article was originally published on Yahoo.HotJobs.com

Persuasion is a subtle art—brute force doesn’t often work well. And this is especially true for a job seeker, who is using interviewing skills and a resume to try to persuade hiring managers and recruiters to hand over something that a lot of people are competing for (that great new job).

Here are some persuasion tricks and techniques you can use to sway opinions in your favor:

The power of liking people

Even hiring managers are people—and all people want to be liked. Chris St. Hilaire, the author of “27 Powers of Persuasion: Simple Strategies to Seduce Audiences & Win Allies,” says, “I’ve found that just thinking to myself, ‘I like those people,’ changes the way I feel about them. I get this smile on my face, and—with some exceptions—all of a sudden everyone tends to like me.”

Do a bit of research about the person you’re meeting with—has she (or her company) recently achieved something you can comment on appreciatively? You have the power to make her feel good—and that makes you more persuasive.

Mirror the interviewer

Pay attention to how the interviewer speaks and acts—if he speaks slowly, for instance, match his pace. Even try sitting in a similar position; these subtle posture shifts can make him subconsciously feel more comfortable with you. But move slowly, and be careful about mirroring too exactly—it can be perceived as mockery.

You should also “mirror” with your resume—make sure to use language similar to that used in the job description (and on the employer’s website and so on).

Master the handshake

In her book “10 Make-or-Break Career Moments: Navigate, Negotiate, and Communicate for Success,” Casey Hawley says that the perfect handshake has four parts, which she describes as “webs, grip, shake, and eye contact”: When you shake hands, your hand’s web (the soft skin between your thumb and forefinger) should touch the web of the other person’s, she says. Your grip must be firm, you should shake two or three times, and you should make direct eye contact.

Use vivid language

In terms of your resume, that means weeding out generic resume-speak like “results-oriented professional.” Instead, describe the situation in which you achieved those results.

Also, use numbers to quantify your results (numbers are persuasive).

Say yes to a drink—of water

One of the many interesting tips in St. Hilaire’s book is to have a glass of water: If you’re a visitor and someone asks if you’d like something to drink, request water and thank her. He explains, “People want to do something nice for you, but not too much. This is a surefire way to make them feel good about themselves without inconveniencing them.’”

Create sound bites

A sound bite is a short, compelling phrase that can easily lodge in an interviewer’s mind—for example, “I increased site traffic by 20 percent in three weeks” or “I was the company’s top salesperson for seven months in 2008.” Find ways to weave three or four sound bites into your conversation with an interviewer.

Practice silence

Many hiring managers use silence to wield power: when you finish answering a question, they wait before speaking—and a nervous job candidate may end up saying something he didn’t intend to. Practicing before an interview will help you prepare thorough answers to common questions. Then, when you’re done, finish and smile expectantly—or even ask, “Did that answer your question?” (or ask your own relevant follow-up question).

Remember, silence is better than “Hmmmm” or “Like, ummmm.” St. Hilaire also advises, “If you need to think about an answer, cast your eyes down, not up. Looking down appears thoughtful; looking up makes it seem as though you’re searching.”

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“The Reluctant Entrepreneur”

by admin on March 14, 2011 · 0 comments

in Uncategorized

Joe Burklund and I appeared on the “We’re Entrepreneurs, We can Help!” show on Des Moines Amplified last week. The show title was, “The Reluctant Entrepreneur“. Follow this link to watch the show: http://blip.tv/file/4875643

Many of us have found ourselves unemployed, or staring down it’s barrel, whether through cutbacks, closings, change in business objectives, or simply giving up a position to relocate with a significant other. We suspect that there may be more of us that have experienced this than those who have not. Today, we explore the experience. Looking for something new — a replacement for the job lost. Consideration of something different. Going back to school to sharpen our skills and skillset. Changing careers. Getting something “temporary.” starting a business of our own. We explore these topics and experiences with guests Joe Burklund, and Suzanne Hull.

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Moving and Job Searching

by Crissanka Christadoss on March 10, 2011 · 0 comments

in Guest Blog, How To: Job Search, How To: Networking, Struggles

Crissanka Christadoss is a recent Des Moines transplant, having spent time on both the West and East Coasts before returning to the Midwest where she grew up. With a Masters Degree in Health Communication from Emerson College in Boston, MA, Crissanka is interested in health literacy and acknowledging marginalized health issues. She has worked on health issues related to the transgender population and end-of-life care. Crissanka uses her specialized training to share stories and create messages in order to help others help themselves. LinkedIn | Twitter

In the last five years I have lived in four cities, which includes both East and West Coasts. Moving to a new city is exciting and wonderful. With a little bit of research and patience, you can find yourself on the way to your next opportunity in your new adopted city. I moved from Boston to Los Angeles to Des Moines in that last two years due to my husband’s work. I have to admit that it is stressful to navigate the job scene while moving. However, I have learned from my successes and failures and want to share a few things I have learned (basically, some no brainers!)

Figure out what the main industry in your new city is. It is just good to know! You are a little bit more knowledgeable about your new home. Utilize your Internet connection (Yep, Google the new city’s name) before you move and before your Internet is disconnected. Even if the top industry isn’t in your field, you can at least sound intelligent when relatives or friends ask about your new city.

Find out which companies are big in your field. You may have to dig a little, but this way you have a list of places to target in your job search.

Get out of the house! If you are a homebody, get out of your comfort zone and get to know your new city. A job search shouldn’t be restricted to your computer. It is about meeting people and understanding your environment. Using meetup.com is a great way to meet others with similar interests.

Keep your eyes and ears open. In other words, eavesdrop. Listen to what the local folk are talking about. Moving to a new city is a chance to get to know new people. Strike up a conversation with a stranger. In my experience, locals LOVE talking about their town. Telling people you are new to town is a great conversation starter because they are absolutely thrilled you chose their town.

Have fun and welcome to your new home! In this day in age, landing a new job can take some time. So, in the meantime, have lots of fun adventures!

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12 Tips for Becoming a Networking Master

by Crissanka Christadoss on March 9, 2011 · 0 comments

in Already Employed, How To: Job Search, How To: Networking

Caitlin Fisher works at Hellerman Baretz Communications in Washington, D.C., where she heads the firm’s marketing, advertising, and business development activities. A version of this story first appeared on Hellerman Baretz Communications blog as part of a regular column by Fisher called “The Young PR Pro,” a regular column that helps young PR professionals and students navigate the hurdles of a fledgling career. Fisher tackles everything from sticky work situations to effective networking to job hunting tips. If you’d like to ask Caitlin any questions or have suggestions for a blog topic, email her anytime.

Recently, I attended a networking event at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Inside the museum’s cavernous atrium—surrounded by well-dressed professionals—I was immediately intimidated.

But I sucked it up, struck up a conversation with someone standing nearby, and had an enjoyable and productive evening.

While considering how to maximize the connections I made that night—and having studied the “master” networkers I encountered—I came up with some tips to help professionals of all experience levels become their own master networkers

1. Look the part. I’m always in awe of the professional wardrobe choices people make and how an inappropriate or sloppy outfit can affect first impressions. Whether you’re in a job interview or at a networking event, put your best foot forward in the looks department. Make an investment in a tailored suit and comfortable shoes.

2. Show up prepared to make your sales pitch. Bring writing samples, an “About Me” introduction letter, and examples of your creative work. If you are skilled in Photoshop or InDesign, include an example from a past internship. If you reference your social media savvy in your résumé, bring a blog post you’ve written or a tangible illustration of your involvement online.

3. Don’t be afraid to make your résumé stand out. Buy some interesting paper, upgrade your font from Times New Roman, and add some creative formatting.

4. Write a follow-up letter—before the event. Did you make a strong connection with someone at an event and want to give that person a follow-up? It’s best to have a version of this letter already written, so you’re not scrambling afterward. I create a template (.dot file) in Microsoft Word that contains fields to customize for the recipient, event, and nature of the letter. Tailor the language to meet your needs.

5. Make a “mini-résumé.” For some networking events, it might be unwieldy to lug résumés with you. Instead, try making business cards that feature a mini-résumé. If you really want to get high tech, make a QR code that links to your personal website, portfolio, or even LinkedIn profile. [Editor’s note: The author shows how to format a mini-résumé at this blog.]

6. Take notes. After each conversation, take a few seconds to jot down the details while they’re fresh in your mind. Your notes will help you remember the person 24 hours later, and you can repurpose these details to personalize your follow-up letter, e-mail, or LinkedIn invite.

7. Recognize that not everyone you meet will be a business connection. This is especially true for job hunters, because nine times out of 10 the person won’t provide a job lead. As a general rule: Never discount anyone, and view everyone as a potential resource for professional development.

8. Be eager to help. And feel confident that even at 18, 19, or 20, you’ve got a lot to offer. If you’re the social media whiz for a college club, don’t be shy about politely offering advice to someone twice your age—if they ask for it.

9. Go to networking events by yourself. It’s easy to stick with friends or co-workers at events, even though it can stifle your ability to work the room. Try attending something low-stress—such as an alumni happy hour or a young professionals networking event—to train yourself to feel confident on your own.

10. Make the conversation personal. Trying to keep your interactions strictly business can make conversation awkward. Don’t be shy about asking the person his or her plans for an upcoming long weekend, mentioning a hobby, or asking for restaurant suggestions. It will help you hurdle the small talk. Just make sure you keep it appropriate.

11. Ask questions. Remember that people like to talk about themselves, so it’s very helpful to pose questions. Plus, the more informed you are, the better.

12. Leave something “organic” for a follow-up. If you mention a great new book or blog the person may like, you automatically have an “in” for connecting the next day. You can take it to the next level by putting a reminder in your calendar to follow up a month later with a new article that made you think of the person. It shows you’re interested in helping, and it keeps you fresh in their mind.

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Passion

by admin on March 7, 2011 · 0 comments

in Guest Blog, Reinvention, Struggles

Shawn loves ideas, particularly ideas that come from asking ‘What If?’ His talents lie in removing personal barriers and fostering collaboration that connects ideas and people. His professional passion is helping people and organizations move toward excellence. LinkedIn | Twitter

Passion. Do you have it? Does it show?

One of the toughest things about the job search, particularly after a separation that was someone else’s idea, is keeping (perhaps finding) the thing that fires your passion. After working through all the normal feelings that go along with losing a job it is vitally important that you have something besides the job search to which you’re dedicated. There are at least two really good reasons for this: sanity and breaking the ice.

Having something besides the job search to focus your attention on isn’t unlike having a hobby outside of work – you do it for your enjoyment. Of course it’s entirely possible that your passion and your hobby are the same thing. In that case take this opportunity to engage a little further or dig a little deeper.

If you’ve not taken the time to find something you are passionate about this is a perfect time to do some discovery. What did you enjoy when you were twenty or thirty? What have you always wanted to do, but never had time for? Take some time to think about it, make a list, and then… start exploring. I’ll bet you meet some new friends who will benefit from your experience as much as you benefit from theirs. It’s entirely within the realm of possibility it could lead to your next position.

Best of all, tell others about your passion. Tell others? You bet, every opportunity you get – particularly in an interview.

Which leads us to my second point: breaking the ice. Every interview has a variation on the question “Tell me about yourself?” Tell them about your passion. You’ll have plenty of time to tell them about your professional experience and how they can’t live without you, but why not start off with a bang at the beginning? It’ll set the tone for the whole interview and begin revealing the type of person you are and what motivates you.

Your answer may even be so different from the expected answer that the interviewer may have to adjust their questions which gives you a little more control of the interview (that’s a whole other blog post). Certainly, they will be engaged, even if it’s only for a few minutes to learn about the nuances of firefly bioluminescence due to pH fluctuations. Trust me, you’ll both find your way back to the interview questions. (Particularly after discussing glowing insect posteriors)

Finally, be open to new experiences that could lead to passion. You could find yourself looking at your empty schedule one day and sitting in an airplane headed to the Dominican Republic the next…

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Are there Humans in Human Resources?

by admin on February 7, 2011 · 0 comments

in Uncategorized

Are there Humans in Human Resources?

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Is Your Boss Really Being Difficult or Is It You?

by admin on January 21, 2011 · 0 comments

in Already Employed, Struggles

Dorothy Tannahill-Moran is a Career Coach and expert on helping her clients achieve their goals. Her programs cover: Career growth and enhancement, Career Change, Retirement Alternatives and Job Search Strategy. Want to discover specific career change strategies that get results? Discover how by claiming your FREE gift, Career Makeover Toolkit at: http://CareerMakeoverToolKitShouldIstayorShouldIGo.com

Difficult Boss Recently, in a Linked In group associated with HR, someone posted a discussion that well over 2400 people commented on. The flavor of the discussion was: Why is it so hard to find good employees? It’s like a standoff between the frowning faces of the boss and the employee. Both are thinking really bad things about the other. I’d like to give you a perspective from a boss’s point of view regarding this comment.

I acknowledge that there are bad bosses. I also acknowledge that without reason, some simply don’t like you and want you to be gone. Despite being bad or disliking certain people, there are things that employees do that make even the best bosses seem like tyrants. What I am speaking about is poor performance and the tough talks that go with it. As a society, we’re taught to be nice to people and they will be nice to you. That concept doesn’t apply to the conversation at work where performance feedback is necessary and most often hard to do. It’s a tough message to give and a harder one to receive. It’s hard to feel warm and fuzzy about someone who just said what you did was a flop. It’s also easy to think that person is being unreasonable or difficult, yet are they really?

More than anything else, a manager just wants things to work right. They don’t dream of coming in to the office and giving someone a bad time about their work. There is a higher amount of energy and focus drain that happens when an employee isn’t working up to expectations, because the manager has to go through extra steps to monitor the work. While it is part of the job, usually the manager’s job is not structured in such a way that they really have time for this extra task. It means extra work and extra stress. Then add to that the step of sitting down with the employee to tell them the bad news. This isn’t how most managers want to spend their day.

On the reverse side of this, the employee with performance problems almost never really “gets it”. If they did, they probably wouldn’t have the issues to start with. Most managers give the under-performing employee the benefit of the doubt when they start engaging in the tough performance conversations. The benefit in this case, is that if the issue is pointed out, it can be corrected. I have seen instances where, following these chats, the performance actually gets worse and there is often some strange behavior to coincide. I once had an employee, who in their attempt to portray deep listening, eyes would bulge and go unblinking for the duration of our talks. This had to take so much concentration that I knew they weren’t listening; and they weren’t.

While performance feedback should be ongoing and non-threatening dialogues, they many times don’t take place. You need to understand, this is part of your ongoing career development. To avoid driving off the performance cliff, here are some things you can do to aid in your own management:

Document your responsibilities and the expectations of your output. Make sure you understand both the qualitative and quantitive elements of how you will be measured. When things change, and they will, update your understanding.
If you foresee a problem due to lack of resources, support or your own training, you need to flag that to the boss at the first sign of the issue. You need to come to an agreement on how the issue will be resolved. They need to be part of the solution.
If you aren’t receiving ongoing feedback on your performance, ask for it. It’s hard to be derailed when you are receiving information and making course corrections along the way. Engage key stakeholders for this feedback as well.
If you still receive a tough performance message, don’t be defensive. Do your best to take in the information, ask questions and ensure your understanding. Develop an action plan that will respond to the issues and validate it with your boss. Once you are in agreement, ask for ongoing feedback to that plan. Keep in mind that when you are in a performance crisis, this is not the time to be trying to add something new or sexy to your workload. I once had a person, who wasn’t performing the basics, who decided the company should pay for their programming classes (which weren’t part of the job). While I believe in ongoing improvement, that was not the time to be away from the desk and adding to an already bad situation. Use your head – don’t grab an anchor if you’re drowning.

I’ve long held the belief that doing a great job and being a great employee was easy. I still do. I just think that employees need to see the boss as something besides the enemy and to take responsibility for their performance. If you can do that, you will most likely like the boss better and be the “good employee” everyone is looking for.

And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to the Career Makeover Newsletter AND eWorkbook “Should I Stay or Should I Go” – both dedicated to Your career success, when you visit http://CareerMakeoverToolKitShouldIstayorShouldIGo.com from Dorothy Tannahill-Moran – Your Career Change Agent.

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Quick Analysis of Your Job Search

by admin on January 19, 2011 · 0 comments

in Reinvention, Struggles

Don Goodman, President of About Jobs (www.GotTheJob.com), is a nationally recognized Expert Resume Writer, Certified Career Management Coach and Job Search Strategist. A graduate of the Wharton School of Business and Stanford University’s Executive Program, Don has helped thousands of people secure their next job. Read his blog at www.GotTheJob.com/blog/, call him at 800-909-0109 or e-mail him at dgoodman@GotTheJob.com. You can also follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/JobExpert.

If you are not getting enough interviews or job offers then it is time to analyze your job search strategy. Here is a quick way to drill down to the core issues that will need adjusting.

Situation: I am not getting enough calls for interviews

If the phone is not ringing then either your resume is not good or you are not getting it into the right hands.

Look at your resume and scan it for 20 seconds, the same way an employer would. If you don’t say, “I would hire this person”, then it probably needs work.

Does it have a strong opening that distinguishes you? Is there a compelling theme? If you are unsure, send it to us for a Free Resume Evaluation. Or have it professionally done, just be careful as there are a lot of scams and bad services on the web so see my Free 10-Point Checklist on How to Choose a Resume Writing Service.

If the resume is good, then you need to review your distribution strategy. There are only a few ways to get the resume out and these include job boards and company web sites, recruiters, networking and direct mail/contact.

Of these, the job boards and company web sites have the least effectiveness rate and this is where most people’s job search strategies fall down. When you send your resume through the Internet, you go into the “big black hole” in human resources and are at the mercy of applicant tracking systems and junior clerks weeding out candidates. In fact, a hiring manager recently told me that she gets over 500 resumes for a job board posting. She looks at the first 50 and if she can’t get 5 candidates to bring in, she looks at the next 50. That means that hundreds of candidates are not even having their resume seen.

If this sounds like you, then adjust how you respond to job board openings and also allocate a lot more time to more effective search techniques like networking.

My advice to clients is to NEVER send your resume over the Internet. Once you see that a position is opened, go to LinkedIn, do a company search and identify the hiring manager and their staff. Now do one of two things:

1. Ask yourself, “Who do I know that knows someone who can make an introduction for me”. This is basic networking and you can use LinkedIn Groups and Q&A to see who is communicating with them.

2. Alternatively, but not as effective, give the decision maker a call and say something like: “A friend told me you might be interested in someone with my background. I have (insert your 2-sentence pitch), and I have just a few questions for you”. Then ask them some questions that show you’ve done some homework on their company. Be very friendly, down to earth and personable and get into a conversation with them. At some point they will ask you for your resume at which point you have now put yourself at the top of the decision maker’s pile and skipped the HR screeners.

In general, job boards should not be more than 30% of how you spend your time. Networking is far more effective and this has become much easier when you use LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to connect with people.

Situation: I am getting interviews, but no offers

If you are getting interviews but are not moving to subsequent rounds or are not getting the offer, then you need to improve your interviewing skills. Start by answering these key questions:

1. Did you research the interviewer on LinkedIn before you went in?
2. Did you turn the interview into a conversation?
3. Did you build rapport with the interviewer?
4. Are you clear about what the biggest challenge would be to someone in this position?
5. Did you identify any objections or issues regarding your candidacy?
6. Do you have a clear timeline for following up?

If you are unclear as to whether you achieved the above, then you need to change how you interview. There are good books on the subject and you can always hire a career coach to do a mock interview so you can learn how to control the interview.

With the new year here, spend a few minutes today to identify where your search needs help.

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Still Out of the Job Market? What Now?

by admin on January 17, 2011 · 0 comments

in Reinvention, Struggles

Stuart Coleman is a Partner & General Manager of Winter Wyman’s Boston Accounting & Finance Contract Jobs contract finance and accounting jobs he is working on visit www.winterwyman.com. Winter Wyman is one of the largest and most recognized staffing firms in the Northeast, currently serving clients in the New England and metropolitan New York job markets. division. Stuart blogs to provide strategic job search advice for candidates as they make their next career move. To learn more about Stuart and the

Job Market Direction Being out of work for an extended period of time can be very difficult. Some job candidates let the pressure get the best of them. Whether it has six months, a year, or longer, use these ten tips to help yourself get back on track.

1. Be Specific

Make sure your cover letter is specific to the job and compelling to that position. If you wrote it as a generic cover letter than that is how its will feel to the hiring manager. Any time you can get them to stop and take notice - that is a point for you.

2. Address the Mess

Don’t be afraid to explain the gap on your resume. Address the questions that you know are going to be asked. Meeting these questions head on makes you appear confident and comfortable.

3. Present the Perfect You

Proof read, edit, proof read again. One avoidable mistake could cost you the job. Why lose an opportunity over spelling or grammar errors? A hiring manager has a stack of qualified resumes, and they are also looking for reasons to disqualify a candidate. One misspelled name or a punctuation error might be all it takes.

4. Be Professional All the Time

What did you name your resume? My Resume Version 8 may be easy to find on your computer, but not on anyone else’s. Be sure to call it something that will allow a hiring manager or recruiter to easily identify you. The same goes for your email address. Also, the professionalism principle extends to your phone numbers. Have a good professional message, preferably on your cell phone, so that number is specific to you.

5. Honesty is the Best Policy

Be careful with your superlatives; try not to oversell. While you always want to come across as confident and well-matched for the position, you need to be authentic in your approach.

6. Be Considerate

We all know that we need to arrive to an interview early, but be sure it’s not too early; 10 to 15 minutes should be the max. If you are there too early, the hiring manager may be anxious or annoyed that you are sitting out there waiting.

7. Practice Makes Perfect

If it’s been a while since you have interviewed, role play with someone you feel comfortable with. Research interview questions and practice answering them, especially the more challenging ones. Your responses can’t be canned, they need to be natural and in your voice.

8. Review your References

Have you spoken with your references lately? Are you completely comfortable with what they are going to say? Are they expecting the call? If it’s been a long time since you last spoke, let them know that you have recently interviewed and that they may be hearing from a hiring manager.

9. Use the Magic Words

A timely “thank you” still resonates with people. Don’t forget to say thank you. Ideally, send a well written, specific, electronic thank you note to everyone you met with at the company – and do it as soon as possible. Make sure you personalize them as they will likely compare. It’s also nice to follow-up with a hand written note, which is becoming less common and can help you stand out.

10. Be Confident

Pessimism and doubt are not your allies in a job search. Yes, you are competing with lots of people. Doubts won’t change that. Use these ideas to help you succeed in an ultra competitive job market.

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