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ON YOUR COVER LETTER
DO
- E-mail applications
DON'T
- Repeat information that's in your résumé
- Use clichés
ON YOUR RÉSUMÉ
DO
- Let your references know that they may be contacted
DON'T
- Compromise information to keep to the one-page rule
IN YOUR INTERVIEW
DO
- Speak clearly
- Dress professionally
- Show up on time
- Bring a folder to carry additional information
- Cover tattoos, piercings
DON'T
- Use long pauses, or "ummm" and "like"
- Show up late or too early
- Wear bright colors or patterns
- Wear too-tight or sloppy clothes
POST-INTERVIEW
DO
- Use a thank-you note as an opportunity to expand on interview questions that you didn't respond to completely.
DON'T
- Call more than once after the interview to follow up
- Be overly excited if you're offered the job
MORE TIPS
OTHER RESOURCES
County libraries:
- Check out books on résumés, cover letters, career tests, DVDs about how to dress professionally.
- Use library books, microfiche and databases to research jobs and potential employers to write an informed cover letter.
- The Stanislaus County Library in Modesto has résumé templates available on word processing computers.
- It also has wireless Internet, so job seekers can bring in their own computers and write cover letters while referring to information and books only available at the library.
- The library also has ReferenceUSA, a database that sorts businesses regionally and by field so job seekers can find companies in certain regions that employ people with their skills.
Sources: Alliance WorkNet, Stanislaus County librarian, MJC's career development center
