Putting the Pieces Together and Landing a Job

Are You Earning What You're Worth?

Are you like most people, working too hard, for too many hours per week, yet not getting paid what you believe you deserve? Due to ever-increasing competition, employers often push employees to work longer hours and assume more responsibilities yet offer less pay. Because salaries and compensation packages are typically kept confidential within a company, it can be difficult to determine if you're getting paid what you deserve based on your experience, skills, education, and overall value to the company for which you work.

Whether you're looking for a new job, hoping to earn a raise, or you're convinced you're not getting paid what you're worth in your current job, you can do several things to discover your own true earning potential.

Many things contribute to someone's salary and overall compensation package. Work experience, education, skills, the size of the company, the industry, the employer's geographic location, demand, the number of hours you work, and your ability to negotiate the best possible salary/compensation package all help to determine what you get paid.

Once you know exactly what type of job you're looking to fill (or that you currently fill), by performing research, you can determine what salary range someone holding a similar job title and responsibilities earns within your industry and geographic area. Using this information, you can then determine if you're currently earning less than what you're worth and take the necessary steps to either pursue a higher-paying job or a raise.

No matter what industry in which you are employed, it's possible to pinpoint average salaries paid by employers for specific jobs. One of the best resources for gathering current and accurate salary information (available online or in printed form) is the Salary Wizard™ from www.Salary.com, which allows you to search—free—average salary information by job title (and level), either by national average or specific to a particular U.S. city. The site provides a salary range (for base pay), the median salary, and additional information on a total compensation package (which would include the dollar value of possible bonuses, benefits—including Social Security, 401(k)/403(b), disability, healthcare, pension, and time off—and the net paycheck estimate), as well as other useful information.

Another traditional source of information is the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/oco). The Occupational Outlook Handbook is available at most libraries; the career services office at most high schools, colleges, and universities; as well as online. It can also be ordered for $64 by calling 202-512-1800. For each of the thousands of occupations covered, this directory describes the nature of the work, working conditions, employment opportunities, the job outlook (between 1998 and 2008), the earning potential/salary range, as well as information about related occupations.

The Web contains many research firms and other sources of salary information, but when using these sources for research, it's important to determine from where this information is derived, whether or not it's current, and if the data applies to your industry, occupation, and geographic area.

JobSmart (www.jobsmart.org/tools/salary/sal-prof) is a free service that publishes more than 300 profession-specific salary surveys online for professions ranging from accounting to warehousing and by geographic region.

The Clayton Wallis Company's CompGeo Online service (707-996-0967, www.claytonwallis.com) offers online information about salaries based on geographic location. For example, if you're working in healthcare, you can determine what people with your qualifications earn around the country using the information offered at this website. CompGeo offers salary information for over 1,200 job classifications.

Salary Master is an independent company that represents IT professionals during salary negotiations. The company's website (www.salarymaster.com) offers a collection of articles and information for people looking to determine what they're worth as an employee in a high-tech field.

If you're contemplating moving to another city, you can easily compare what you're earning in one city with what you could be making in another doing the same type of work by visiting Yahoo!'s Salary Comparison website at verticals.yahoo.com/salary.

Through research, it's relatively easy to determine if you're getting paid less than what you're worth in today's marketplace. Knowing exactly what you're worth helps you participate successfully in salary negotiation with your current or future employer.

During the negotiation process, always let the employer make the first offer. Once an offer is made, never accept it on the spot. Tell the employer you need at least several hours or a full day to consider the offer. If you know an employer is doing well financially and is desperate to fill the position you're qualified to fill, you will have the advantage in a salary negotiation.

Never use your personal financial situation as a reason for requesting more money. Comments like "I need more money to afford my mortgage, rent, or car payments" do not concern the employer. Instead, focus on the value you offer the company and be prepared to offer qualitative and quantitative information to support your statements. Your chances of receiving the salary you're seeking increases dramatically by proving to an employer you're worth it.

If you've never participated in a salary negotiation, read a book on how to negotiate so you become familiar with various tactics employers use during the salary negotiation process (for example, LearningExpress's Job Interviews That Get You Hired covers negotiating). Never settle for earning less than what you know you deserve based on your research. Keep in mind, however, there's a big difference between earning what you're worth in today's marketplace and what you think you're worth.

Taking a Deadline-Oriented Approach to Landing a Job

Landing a job is often a confusing, stressful, and extremely time-consuming task. You have to find job opportunities, create a resume, write cover letters, schedule interviews, perform research on companies, participate in interviews, make follow-up calls, and keep track of all the potential employers with which you meet or correspond. One way to avoid the stress of this whole procedure is to adopt an organized, deadline-oriented approach to finding a job.

Begin by acquiring a personal planner, such as a Day-Timer, or a personal digital assistant (PDA), such as the Palm Pilot III, V, or VII. Before actually starting your job search, make a list of everything you will need to accomplish to land a job. Break down the big task into lots of smaller ones, which are easier to accomplish. If you have to write or update your resume, add it to your list. If you need to buy outfits to wear to interviews, that too goes on your list. Once your list is complete, write down how long you think each task will take to accomplish.

Next, prioritize your list. Determine what tasks need to be done immediately and which ones can wait until later in the job-search process. Now that you know what you need to do and approximately how long it will take to accomplish each task, create a schedule for yourself and set deadlines.

Using your personal planner, calendar, or PDA, start at today's date and enter in each job-search-related task, one at a time. Under your list of tasks to complete, add items like "check the help-wanted ads" and "update resume." Leave yourself enough time to accomplish each task, and in your planner, mark down the date by which each task should be completed.

Keep meticulous notes in your planner or on your PDA. Write down everything you do, with whom you make contact, the phone numbers and addresses of your contacts, what is discussed on the phone or during interviews, and what follow-up actions need to be taken. Throughout your job-search process, keep your planner or PDA with you at all times. Refer to it and update it often to ensure that you remain on track.

To demonstrate that you are a well-organized person, refer to your planner or PDA during job interviews, and don't be afraid to make notes during the interview. If a potential employer wants to schedule a second interview, take out your planner or PDA, and schedule an appointment on the spot.

A personal planner, such as a Day-Timer, costs between $15 and $110, and provides you with places to write down appointments, to-do lists, expenses, and other information. Different formats of personal planners are available, allowing you to view one day, multiple days, a week, or even a month at a time. You can also include an address book in your planner, and keep all your information in one handy place.

Personal digital assistants (also called electronic organizers) cost more money, between $50 and $1,000, because they're essentially hand-held computers. PDAs have built-in electronic scheduling programs, address books, to-do lists, and some even have word processors or text editors, all packed into a hand-held unit that can be taken anywhere. PDAs are ideal tools for people looking for a job, because they can hold vast amounts of information in an organized manner.

Once you land a job, don't toss out your personal planner or organizer. Writing what you need to accomplish, prioritizing those tasks, setting deadlines for yourself, and keeping this information with you will help you stay focused, save time, and avoid procrastination.

To find a personal planner or PDA that meets your needs, visit any office-supply store. Getting into the habit of using an organizational tool will take some getting used to, so stick with it. You will soon experience the benefits of being a better organized, deadline-oriented person, which all employers value.

Don't Let Rejection Get You Down

So, you got invited for a job interview, you thought everything went well and that the employer loved you, but you later discovered that someone else was hired to fill the position. Does this mean you're a failure? Should you take this rejection personally? The answer to these questions is no!

Unfortunately, rejection is part of the overall job-search process, and it's something with which you have to deal. If you don't land a job you want, don't waste time or energy getting angry with the employer. Instead, learn as much as you can from the experience and move on. If you're absolutely certain that the job you didn't receive is the ideal one for you, there's nothing stopping you from re-applying, or applying for a different position within the same company, with the plan of eventually transferring into the position you want.

As you embark upon the job-search process, several things can help increase your chances for landing a job. First, apply only for jobs for which you're qualified. Never lie on your resume or during an interview to appear more qualified. Next, just because you find one job opening that grabs your interest, don't stop sending resumes and scheduling other interviews. That age-old saying, "Don't put all of your eggs in one basket," applies.

Should you find yourself rejected for multiple jobs for similar reasons, consider adjusting your job-search approach. Perhaps you should edit your resume to give it more focus. Maybe you're coming on too strong or not strong enough during interviews. Never start playing what-if mind games with yourself or stressing over actions you've already taken. Instead, focus all of your job search energies on the future: toward finding and landing a job you will truly enjoy and for which you will be totally qualified.

Don't feel like you're alone. Richard Leger, director of career services at Boston University stated, "What I tell my students is: Always be sure that you have an individual that you can discuss everything you're doing with and that can offer you guidance. Make sure that the person will be totally honest with you. This person should also be older, or someone with more experience with the job search process. Ideally, a career counselor is the best person to give you guidance and honest appraisals."

A career counselor can help you stay focused and determine why you're being rejected, and then work with you to rectify the situation. "Never personalize the job hunt. What most people do is personalize rejection and consider themselves a failure, instead of believing that they simply didn't fit the job they applied for. Receiving rejection can be like a virus and build up inside you if you don't deal with it correctly. Don't dwell on your weaknesses. Know what your strengths are, work with them and communicate them, and then let the whole process evolve based on your strengths," added Leger.

Finally, go into every job interview totally prepared, having done your research, knowing what position you want and why you're qualified for it, and having prepared a list of intelligent questions to ask the employer. Applicants who are totally prepared automatically develop a sense of confidence and become far less nervous. Thus, it's usually these people who make the best impressions and appear the most qualified. Making sure you're qualified for a job and being totally prepared for the interview are two things you can do to greatly increase your chances of landing a job and avoid rejection.

Completing Job Applications

Most employers require applicants to complete a job application prior to an interview. An application is a questionnaire that takes a few minutes to complete, but it's a useful tool for helping employers evaluate you as an applicant.

Job seekers often complete their applications by hand. The completed application demonstrates how well you communicate on paper and how legible your handwriting is, shows whether or not you can spell and use proper punctuation, summarizes the information in your resume, and provides the employer with a list of your references. Thus, what you write on an application, in addition to how you write it, impacts an employer's decision about hiring you.

For each question on the application, think carefully about how you can answer it concisely and accurately. As you complete the actual application, neatly print all of your answers using a blue or black ballpoint pen. Avoid writing in script, crossing out mistakes, or using more space than provided. Don't use any words you don't know how to spell. Employers will look for answers that are written in complete sentences, using proper English.

Most applications ask you to fill in the position for which you're applying and list what salary you're looking to earn. Use the exact wording that was listed in the help-wanted ad or listing to which you responded. As for desired salary, instead of providing an actual figure, write "negotiable." Encourage the employer to make the first offer regarding salary.

When you fill in your educational background, remember that employers will likely contact the educational institution you claim to have attended, so list only degrees or diplomas you have actually earned.

Many applications request that you write a paragraph listing any skills, research work, areas of interest, or special training you have. Refer to your resume and ensure the information you provide is consistent. Also, try to incorporate action words into your descriptions to add impact.

Providing references is another key component to virtually all job applications. Prior to listing anyone's name and contact information, check with the people you want to list, and obtain their permission to use them as references. Also, ask what address and phone number you should provide to potential employers, because some people don't like having their home phone number or direct office line given out. Be sure to tell the people you use as a reference exactly what position you're applying for, so they will be prepared if one of your potential employers contacts them.

Never include an immediate family member as a reference. Employers don't consider relatives or best friends to be credible references. Previous employers and coworkers, prominent business people in the community who know you, former professors, and leaders of charity groups for whom you've done volunteer work all make excellent references.

At the end of every application, you will be asked to sign a statement that the information provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge. Later, if an employer discovers you've provided false information, you could be fired.

By following all directions on the application, writing neatly, providing accurate and well-thought-out answers using complete sentences, and highlighting your skills and accomplishments in the space provided, you will be one step closer to landing whatever job you apply for.

Sell Yourself Using More Than a Traditional Resume

Throughout this book, you've been advised to keep your resume short and concise. This allows a potential employer to quickly grasp your qualifications. When you sit down to write a resume, however, you will soon realize that you can't always convey all the information you believe is important within this limited space.

Still, you have to keep in mind that the person reading your resume is probably extremely busy. Providing him or her with too much information initially won't work in your favor. Job seekers must develop strategies to convey additional information that can't be crammed into the traditional one-page resume format.

Information to Include in Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter is one of the best ways to convey important facts about your career and highlight specific achievements directly related to the job you're seeking. Like a resume, your cover letter should be kept short. It's useful, however, to include details that aren't listed within your resume, or to elaborate on items—mentioning specific facts or figures can work in your favor.

The cover letter should focus on aspects of your education, work history, or skills that will most interest the potential employer. It should focus on what you can do for the employer and describe some of your personal qualities as well as your specific skills, all using upbeat wording.

For example, you might describe yourself as a highly motivated, well-organized, detail-oriented person capable of managing others. Once you make a statement like this, you will need to provide supporting evidence by describing a specific accomplishment from your employment history. Make a statement like, "In my previous job, I managed a salesforce of nine people, and sales for the year rose 25% due to the unique sales strategies and materials I created and implemented."

How Letters of Recommendation Can Help

Another option is providing letters of recommendation, which may enhance your credibility, especially if the letters are written by previous employers or people known to the potential employer.

Letters of recommendation should showcase your individual skills or desirable qualities. For example, a letter from a previous boss describing your dedication, perfect attendance record, and several specific achievements on the job will be impressive to any reader. Strong and truthful statements from previous employers always enhance your chances of getting hired.

A letter of recommendation from a previous boss that states, "Thanks to her hard work, leadership ability, and dedication as our sales manager, last year our company's sales grew 20%. I believe (applicant's name) will be an asset to any company she chooses to work for," will certainly help capture the reader's attention.

Some people include one or two letters of recommendation when initially sending their resume and cover letter to a potential employer. Others wait for their first in-person job interview to deliver these additional documents. Which option you choose can depend on your personal preference, how powerful the letters of recommendation are, who wrote the letters, how relevant they are to the job for which you're applying, and whether or not your resume and cover letter were solicited by the recipient. When responding to a help-wanted ad or sending an unsolicited resume, you want to keep your correspondence short, so it's probably best to wait and provide letters of recommendation during a job interview unless otherwise instructed.

Tips for Your Interview

You should also be prepared to convey specific details about your education, experience, and skills at your first in-person interview. Beforehand, decide what relevant information you hope to convey. It's perfectly acceptable to make notes to yourself and bring them into the interview, because it's common to forget important facts when you're nervous or under pressure.

Whereas your resume and cover letter are suitable for conveying general information about your employment history, education, skill set, and accomplishments, an in-person interview offers the perfect opportunity to elaborate on these facts. For example, if your resume states you were previously a sales manager at the ABC Company, during your interview, discuss your specific accomplishments, mentioning which skills you used on the job. Also, describe the results of your work in detail, and provide as much supporting evidence as possible.

Focus on how your skills and previous experience can benefit the potential employer. What value will you provide? How will your skills and work experience allow you to fulfill the responsibilities of the job for which you're applying? Why are you the perfect candidate to fill the position?

As you make statements about your career-related accomplishments or past employment experiences during an interview, provide support documentation. Start by reviewing details listed in your resume, and then elaborate by sharing other details about yourself and your career that a potential employer will find useful when making their hiring decision.

It's never appropriate to disclose classified documents from previous employers; however, any printed materials you can offer that corroborate what you tell a potential employer during an interview will add credibility to your statements.

If you previously received any type of award while on the job, such as Employee of the Month or Salesperson of the Year, offer documentation. Copies of company newsletters, reports that describe your accomplishments, and letters to you from past employers congratulating you on various achievements are all excellent support materials.

Providing potential employers with enough information about yourself so they can make educated hiring decisions is a skill that needs to be practiced and refined. In most circumstances, being able to convey additional information, aside from what's within your resume, will greatly improve your chances of being hired.

Preparing for a Job Interview

After sending your resumes and cover letters to potential employers, if you've done everything correctly, you should have at least a 50% success rate in terms of hearing back from potential employers and being invited to interview.

As part of your job interview preparation, think of the types of questions the interviewer might ask. Spend time developing wellthought- out, complete, and intelligent answers to these questions. Thinking about answers, or even writing answers on paper will be helpful, but what will benefit you the most is to practice answering interview questions aloud, and have someone you trust honestly evaluate your responses.

"Appearance does count, even in today's business-casual world. Make sure to ask about the dress code when you're setting up the interview. Dress in a manner that makes you feel great. You want to exude confidence and capability. Do your homework and be prepared with questions to ask about the company. Research as much as possible regarding product line, services, markets, the competition, or whatever else you can find. It's not something that everyone does, and it helps set you apart and really shows people you are interested."

—CHRIS, CFO

Most of the questions you will be asked will be pretty obvious, but be prepared for an interviewer to ask you a few unexpected questions. By doing this, the interviewer wants to see how you react and how well you think on your feet.

As you answer all of the interviewer's questions, keep these guidelines in mind:

• Use complete sentences and proper English. Avoid using fillers such as "like," "umm," "you know," and so forth.
• Don't be evasive, especially if asked about negative aspects of your employment history.
• Never imply that a question is "stupid."
• Don't lie or stretch the truth.
• Be prepared to answer the same question multiple times. Make sure your answers are consistent, and never reply, "You already asked me that."
• Never apologize for negative information regarding your past.
• Avoid talking down to an interviewer, or making them feel less intelligent than you.

The following are common interview questions and suggestions on how you can best answer them:

1. What can you tell me about yourself?
   Emphasize your skills and accomplishments. Avoid talking about your family, hobbies, or topics not relevant to your ability to do the job.
2. Why have you chosen to pursue your current career path?
   Give specific reasons and examples.
3. In your personal or professional life, what has been your greatest failure? What did you learn from that experience?
   Be open and honest. Everyone has had some type of failure. Focus on what you learned from the experience and how it helped you to grow as a person.
4. Why did you leave your previous job?
   Try to put a positive spin on your answer, especially if you were fired for negative reasons. The company downsizing, going out of business, or some other reason that was out of your control is a perfectly acceptable answer. Remember, your answer will probably be verified.
5. What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishments at your last job?
   Talk about what made you a productive employee and a valuable asset to your previous employer. Emphasize that teamwork was involved in achieving your success, and that you work well with others.
6. In college, I see you were a (insert subject) major. Why did you choose (insert subject) as your major?
   Explain your interest in the subject matter, where that interest comes from, and how it relates to your current career-related goals.
7. What are your long-term goals?
   Talk about how you have been following a career path, and where you think this path will take you in the future. Describe how you believe the job for which you're applying is a logical step forward.
8. Why do you think you're the most qualified person to fill this job?
   Focus on the positive things that distinguish you from the competition. What's unique about you, your skill set, and past experiences? What work-related experience do you have that relates directly to this job?
9. What have you heard about this company that was of interest to you?
   Focus on the company's reputation. Refer to positive publicity, media attention, or published information that caught your attention. This shows you've done your research.
10. What else can you tell me about yourself that isn't listed in your resume?
    This is yet another opportunity for you to sell yourself to the employer. Take advantage of the opportunity

Job Interviews: What Not to Do

Once you are invited by a potential employer for an interview, to maximize your chances of landing the job, it's critical to do everything within your power to prepare and avoid the common mistakes often made by applicants.

The following are some of the most common mistakes applicants make while preparing for or participating in job interviews, plus tips on how to avoid making these mistakes.

• Never lie on a resume. Don't apply for jobs for which you're not qualified and then lie to get invited for an interview.
• Don't skip steps in your interview preparation. Just because you've been invited for an interview, you can't afford to wing it once you get there. Prior to the interview, spend time doing research about the company, its products or services, and the people with whom you will meet.
• Never arrive late for an interview. Arriving even five minutes late for a job interview is equivalent to telling an employer you don't want the job. If possible, the day before the interview, go to the interview location and determine exactly how to get there and how long it takes. On the day of the interview, plan on arriving at least 15 minutes early, and use the restroom before you begin the actual interview.
• Don't neglect your appearance. First impressions are crucial. Make sure your clothing is wrinkle-free and clean, that your hair is well groomed, and that your make-up (if applicable) looks professional. Always dress up for an interview, even if the dress code at the company is casual. Also, be sure to brush your teeth just before an interview, especially if you've recently eaten.
• Avoid drinking any beverages containing caffeine. Chances are, you will already be nervous about the interview. Drinking coffee or soda won't calm you down, so avoid them both before and during your interview. If your job interview takes place over lunch or dinner, refrain from drinking alcohol of any kind.
• Don't go into the interview unprepared. Beforehand, use your research to compile a list of intelligent questions to ask the employer. These questions can be about the company, its products or services, methods of doing business, the job responsibilities of the job for which you're applying, and so forth. When it's time for you to answer questions, always use complete sentences.
• Never bring up salary, benefits, or vacation time during the initial interview. Allow the employer to bring up the compensation package offered. Especially during the first interview, never bring up salary, benefits, or vacation time. Instead, focus on how you (with all of your skills, experience, and education) can become a valuable asset to the company with which you're interviewing.
• Refrain from discussing your past earning history or what you're hoping to earn. An employer typically looks for the best possible employees for the lowest possible price. Let the employer make you an offer first. When asked, tell the interviewer you're looking for a salary and benefits package that's in line with what's standard in the industry for someone with your qualifications and experience. Try to avoid stating an actual dollar figure.
• During the interview, avoid personal topics. There are questions that an employer can't legally ask during an interview or on an employment application. In addition to these topics, refrain from discussing sex, religion, politics, and any other highly personal topics.
• Never insult the interviewer. It's common for an interviewer to ask what you might perceive to be a stupid or irrelevant question. In some cases, the interviewer is simply testing to see how you will respond. Some questions are asked to test your morals or determine your level of honesty. Other types of questions are used simply to see how you will react in a tough situation. Try to avoid getting caught up in trick questions. Never tell an interviewer you think a question is stupid or irrelevant.
• Throughout the interview, be aware of your body language. For example, if you're someone who taps your foot when you're nervous, make sure you're aware of your habit so you can control it in an interview situation.

Throughout any job interview, your primary objective should be to position yourself as the ideal candidate for the job for which you're applying. Your chances of landing a job dramatically increase by avoiding the common mistakes made by many applicants.

One of the best ways to prepare for an interview is to participate in mock interviews with someone who will ask you questions and then honestly critique your responses.

When Job Hunting, Show Your Gratitude

Unfortunately, the business world is a cut-throat environment. People often maintain a selfish, look-out-for-themselves attitude. When you are a job applicant, this is not the attitude to adopt. Many applicants believe that when they go on a job interview, the interviewer is simply doing his or her job by trying to fill the position their company has open. They believe that part of the interviewer's job is interviewing applicants, so the applicants offer no gratitude to the interviewer for their interest or for taking the time to meet with them. As a result of having this somewhat cynical attitude, many applicants never send a thank-you note after their interview—and that's a mistake.

"Many applicants don't send a thank-you note at all. Sending a personal and well-thought-out note immediately after an interview is extremely beneficial. It will keep your name in the forefront of the hiring manager's mind. It will also show that you have good follow-up skills and that you're genuinely interested in the job opportunity," explains Sue Nowacki, a partner at 1st Resumes, a full-service resume-writing firm (www.1stresumes.com).

The following are some basic steps to follow when writing and sending thank-you notes:

• Send individual and personalized thank-you notes, within 24 hours of your interview, to everyone you met with when visiting a potential employer. Send separate notes containing different messages to each person you met with.
• Address your thank-you note susing the recipient's full name and title. Make sure you spell the person's name correctly.
• Type, e-mail, or hand-write your note on personal stationery. If you choose to type your note, follow a standard business letter format. A much more personal alternative is to hand-write your thank you note on a professional-looking note card, which can be purchased at any stationery, greeting card, or office-supply store. The card should be white or cream colored with minimal ornamentation. Nowacki added, "The personal touch will add a lot to further a positive impression and help to separate you from your competition."
• Address the interviewer by title as Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr. and last name in the salutation.
• Keep your message brief and to the point. Thank the interviewer for taking the time out of his or her busy schedule to meet with you, and for considering you for the available job opening. Make sure you include the exact job title or position for which you applied. In one or two sentences, highlight the important details discussed in your interview. You want the interviewer to remember you. Finally, reaffirm your interest in the position and invite further contact.
• Make sure your full name and phone number are included in the note.
• Do not mention issues under negotiation, such as salary, benefits, concerns, work schedule, etc. These subjects are not appropriate for a thank-you note.
• If possible, match the stationery or note card you use to your cover letter and resume paper. This helps you convey a uniform and well-thought-out image.

Just as your resume and cover letters are valuable job-search tools, think of the thank-you note as an extremely important follow-up tool, which has the potential of helping you to land the job.

"Even if an employer likes an applicant, I know that many human resources professionals actually wait to see if they receive a thank-you note from an applicant before making a job offer. They also check the postmark to see how quickly after the interview the note was sent."

—SUE NOWACKI, PARTNER, 1ST RESUMES

As a job applicant, it's important to show your gratitude to everyone who helps you find and land a job. This includes the people you interview with, as well as any networking contacts who help you find job opportunities. If you demonstrate that you're grateful for people's help, they're more apt to keep helping you in the future. A thank-you note is a perfect and professional way to show your appreciation.

Embarking on a Job Search While Still Employed

The best time to begin searching for new employment opportunities is while you are still employed. This eliminates a lot of the emotional and financial stress associated with having to land a job in order to obtain a paycheck. However, no matter what your reasons are for embarking on a new job search, it's important to show the proper respect toward your current employer, even if you consider yourself a disgruntled employee.

If your current position is being eliminated due to downsizing, layoffs, corporate restructuring, or another reason that's outside of your control, immediately inquire about the severance package to which you're entitled, obtain written letters of recommendation from your superiors, and take advantage of whatever career counseling services are offered.

In this type of situation, it's appropriate to be obvious about your job-search efforts and tap your networking skills to discover new employment opportunities. This may include contacting clients or customers, suppliers, or distributors with which your employer works, or anyone else outside your company you've had business dealings with as an employee. If given permission by the employer, it's also acceptable to take advantage of your employer's in-house resources, such as Internet access.

Many people choose to leave their current position because they're not happy in their present job, or perhaps it's possible to earn more money elsewhere. As someone who is currently employed but interested in exploring other job opportunities, you will probably want to keep your job search a secret.

As you'd expect, most employers frown upon employees soliciting or investigating other employment opportunities while on the job. As a result, finding time to go on job interviews when you're supposed to be at work may become a challenge. Likewise, you will probably find it difficult to call potential employers or receive calls from them and do research on potential employers when you're supposed to be working.

Especially if you're trying to keep your job-search efforts a secret, it is not acceptable to use your company's computers or Internet access to create your resume or surf the Web in search of new jobs, especially during normal business hours. Whether or not the computer you use at work is connected to a network, your activities can easily and legally be monitored by an employer, and your job-search efforts may easily be discovered.

Likewise, avoid using your employer's voice mail, fax machine, or e-mail address to correspond with potential new employers. Depending on your personal employment situation, there may also be legal or ethical issues in regards to making contact with your clients, customers, or other work-related contacts in order to find new job opportunities.

The best approach is to use a computer at home, on your own time, to create your resume and visit the career-related sites you're interested in. You should also have an answering machine or voice mail for your home phone, so if an employer calls while you're at work, you can call in for messages and return calls at your convenience.

If you don't have access to the Internet at home, you should still have (or obtain) a private e-mail address that can be accessed from any computer connected to the Web. Free e-mail addresses are available from services like Yahoo! (www.yahoo.com), MSN Hotmail (www.hotmail.com), and Excite (http://www.excite.com). E-mail sent to one of these addresses can be accessed from a friend or relative's computer, from a computer center at a school or library, or from any other PC that's not associated with your current employer.

One of the most difficult tasks you will face when searching for a job while still employed is finding time to go on interviews. Lying to your current employer by saying you have a doctor's appointment or need to run errands is one option. However, it's better to schedule interviews for mornings, evenings, or weekends, whenever possible. When this can't be done, take advantage of your personal or vacation days, so you can take time off without having to reveal or misrepresent your whereabouts to your current employer.

As you explore new job opportunities, make it clear to potential employers that you'd appreciate them keeping your interest in their company confidential. Also, avoid responding to ads with blind P.O. boxes, where you don't know the name of the company you're sending your resume to. It's possible your current employer could be advertising those job opportunities, and you don't want to get caught applying for them!

Obviously, what you do on your own time, even if it includes searching for a new job, is your business. To avoid potential problems, however, don't allow your job-search efforts to interfere with your current job responsibilities. Also, when you ultimately land a new job, be prepared to give at least two weeks' notice to your current employer. Even if your new employer wants you to begin work immediately, it will usually respect your decision to give your current employer reasonable notice.

Finally, as you leave your current job, no matter how disappointed, angry, or frustrated, don't take anything that doesn't belong to you, such as office supplies, computer equipment, confidential files, or your company's client list. If you've signed a non-competition or nondisclosure agreement with your current employer, have a lawyer review this document to ensure you won't get into trouble for accepting whatever new job is being offered.

People change jobs regularly. To eliminate much of the stress associated with keeping your job-search activities a secret, perform these activities on your own time, using your own resources.

A Few Last Words

By reading this book, you're now armed with the knowledge you need to create a powerful printed or electronic resume. To help you land a job faster, be sure to take full advantage of all of the resources available, and never be afraid to ask for assistance from friends, family, former coworkers, former professors, career guidance counselors, a professional resume writer, or anyone else who might be able to assist you in landing the job you want—a new position you know you will enjoy!

"When looking for a job, seek people first, then opportunity. Even if the job is in the perfect field and requires your exact skills set, you will eventually dread getting out of bed if you do not enjoy the people you work closely with. In particular, as companies become more project focused and fast paced, teams will be increasingly important. Build your work around your team, not your team around the work."

—JEREMY, SALES ASSOCIATE