When mailing resumes in a conventional manner, observe the rules that is discussed everywhere regarding customization, appearance, and professionalism. If you want to be doubly sure that your resume gets to its destination before a certain date, use a registered postal service or courier. The costs are inconsequential when compared with the ultimate goal. If the potential employer is local, it is safest to drop the resume off in person. Not only does this ensure the delivery of your resume, but it also gives you a chance to visit the office, see what it is like, and maybe make a contact.
An important thing to do when applying for several positions at the same time is to keep a record of the places to which you have applied and the details of the position. Keep track of details such as the contact name, the job role, and the application closing date. This information enables you to keep track of your job search. If you responded to an advertisement, you may want to clip the ad or print the posting if it's a computer-based listing, for your future reference. It's always helpful, especially if you're responding to several ads at once, to quickly refresh your memory of a particular job for which you may have scheduled an interview.
Many career guides suggest making follow up calls to ensure the employer has received your resume. Although companies may be happy to confirm receipt of your resume, it is unlikely that placing this call will increase your chances of getting the job. In certain cases it may even be viewed as you hassling the employer. At this stage of the game, the effort you put into your resume and cover letter are your greatest assets, and it is these that will be working for you.
Job Interviews
Hopefully, your application will be successful, and you will be offered an interview. After you schedule the interview, you need to be prepared so that you stand the best chance of landing the job. As every career guide book will tell you, finding out information about the company is an important step. With the Internet serving as a tremendous and valuable resource to us today, information gathering should not be a difficult task. A great deal of information can be gleaned from a company's Web site, as well as other publicly accessible sources. After you have read all there is to read on a company's Web site, try typing the company name into an Internet search engine to find out related news stories or product reviews, if applicable. When you do find relevant and interesting information, learn it. The reason you are going to so much effort is so you can impress the employer with your knowledge of the organization and its business during your interview.
The Day of the Interview
By the day of the interview, you should have completed all of your preparations and be ready for action.Today is the day when your IT dreams could be turned into a reality. Today you need to be more focused than ever.
If you are tackling a number of interviews in one day, pay special attention to how you intend to travel between interviews. Most importantly, make sure that you schedule more than enough time between each appointment.The worst that can happen is that you end up drinking cappuccinos or taking a stroll to fill in the time between interviews. If you don't allow enough time, you obviously will be late for your interviews and risk losing whatever potential you had to land the job. In addition, you also may stumble through the end of the interview that is going into overtime by worrying about being late for the next one! Don't make this mistake. Allow yourself plenty of time.
Although people advocate locating an office before an interview so that you do not have problems finding it, it's not always possible. If you are unable to do this, call the company's receptionist and find out which subway station, parking lot, or bus stop are nearest to your destination. Also, check your directions and ask about particular traffic problems in the area during peak commuting times so that you can plan extra time. If you do drive, try to avoid using parking meters or other time-restricted parking means because sitting in an interview wondering if you car has been towed can be very distracting.
If you are going to be late for the interview, give as much notice as is absolutely possible. If you have to leave a message for someone, stress the fact that you are attending an interview and that it is imperative the message get to your interviewer. If the reason for your being late is reasonable, the employer may be sympathetic to your plight and either offer to wait for you or reschedule your interview. If you got up late and missed your train, forget it. The rule of thumb is simply don't be late.
