Top Tips for Job Seekers

Some tips for job interviews:

Most employers have their own expectations of candidates, whether or not they're expressed. If you don't meet them, you may be flunking your job test. But there are generally accepted rules of applicant etiquette. Following the nine guidelines below will help you abide by them.

• Be on time. It's better to get familiar with the place and to arrive about 10 to 15 minutes earlier.
  
  
• Be polite. Be especially polite to the front-office staff, knowing they might be asked their impressions of you.
  
  
• Don't ramble. Be mindful of the amount of time allotted to the meeting.
  
  
• Be aware of your body language.
  
  
• Be honest. If you are put into a position where giving the answer is difficult, try to provide a logical explanation for the decision you have made at that time.
  
  
• Be assertive. Show how much you want to work for a particular company or the depth of your passion for the industry or position you're seeking.
  
  
• Be prepared. Ask questions on occasion instead of answering them continuously. Better yet, your answers should show that you've taken the time to learn about the company -- that you're not just looking for a job, you're looking for a job with this particular employer.
  
  
• Be professional. Make sure your resume and cover letters are neat and clean. Check them for typos and an improper tone.
  
  
• Send a thank-you note. You have a better chance of making a favorable impression. More than 76% of employers like receiving a post-interview thank-you note, but only 36% of applicants write them, according to a survey by Accountemps, a staffing firm in Menlo Park, Calif.