Some helpful tips for job seekers

These past few weeks I've been helping out with interviewing potential permanent and temporary employees at work. And after reviewing some applications and talking to people, I've realized why all those "How To" seminars at the unemployment agencies, high schools and colleges are available. Let's just say, I'm shocked and apalled that people still don't know The Rules to applying for a job. So, I've put together a little list of tips for job seekers:

1) Wear clean clothes that are business appropriate. Dirty clothes and holes in very obvious places leave a bad impression. So do pants hanging low enough to see your underwear. You may also want to leave your stiletto heels in the car.

2) Write in your best penmanship. Don't scratch all over your application, scribble out words or double or tripple outline letters. A simple line through the incorrect word will suffice.

3) Do take the time to learn how to give a nice firm hand shake. If nothing else avoid the following: clammy, limp, wimpy. I know physical contact can be uncomfortable but a hand shake which only lasts seconds leaves an impression that may last forever.

4) Show up on time or even early. Maybe even call the receptionist and get directions. Mapquest isn't reliable, believe me, I've suffered from it myself.

5) When filling out a Getting to Know You questionaire, please read questions carefully. If the words like "fill in each" are used, you're probably not supposed to treat it like a multiple choice question. Also, if it doesn't make sense to you, read the question again. Example:

Correctly write in "your" and "you're" in the following sentences.

_____ pizza is here.
_____ not going to believe this.

"Her" is not a correct answer.

6) Please don't correct the interviewer - you're wrong, don't fight it. Even if you're right, let it go!

Even if you don't have much experience, you may still be considered and possibly even hired - if you observe The Rules. If you don't care about the above suggestions, you probably won't care about your job performance and the interviewer will not consider you to be a serious job applicant.

And don't forget, most interviewers make their decision within the first few minutes of the interview. Take heed.